Pick up something other than a textbook this break
When I took over this column at the beginning of the semester, I didn’t understand how challenging it would be to read a book every two weeks. You wouldn’t think it would be hard. After all, we’re all college students who never seem to stop reading. The struggle I’ve encountered is finding time between classes, work and homework to sit down and immerse myself in something that’s not social statistics.
Being forced to do this made me realize how few college students probably read what they want. Through most of my childhood and teenage years, I could bunker down for hours with a good novel. Now I’m lucky to get 15-minute snatches of time to read a few pages. If you do anything this semester, I recommend you sit down and enjoy a good novel. Here are a few things I’ve realized in my two-book-a-month spree.
Just make time
People have looked at me like I was crazy when I told them I was trying to read a book every two weeks. They ask how I do it with all my involvements. The secret is simple, really. I cut the time I spend on Facebook or in front of the TV. It’s easy to sit on the couch and veg after a long day, but it’s harder to pick up that book that’s been sitting on your shelf, collecting dust since your mother gave it to you for Christmas last year.
Learn to carry a book around everywhere you go. I always have a novel in my backpack in preparation for late professors, in-between-class time and my lunch break. You’ll get in more pages than you think by reading in your spare time.
Expand your horizons
When I picked up “Atlas Shrugged” over Christmas break, I thought I’d be bored to tears. Based on what other people had told me about the book, it was one extremely long rant on capitalism. Of the many things I am, an economist is not one of them. Much to my surprise, I became absolutely hooked. It’s a long one — I’m only half way through — but it’s made me think more than any other book I’ve read, and I’ve read a lot.
After I finish, I’d like to expand my personal horizons even more and read all of the 100 best novels from the Modern Library. It’s a hefty goal, I realize, but it will help me to get away from the genre I tend to get stuck to the most — love stories. Pick up a book from a genre you’ve never read before. If you don’t like it, there’s no harm done. If you do, well, you’ve found something that will last your entire life.
Read smart
In college, students tend to think there are two kinds of books: books they enjoy and books that are educational. There are hundreds of thousands of books that cover both these categories. I’m a strong believer that a true education is not just in the classroom, it’s what we learn by our own accord. I may be a little biased in sugg esting this, but books written by journalists are great places to start. They often have compelling narratives, historical backgrounds and well-thought story lines. My favorites include “Savage Inequalities” and “Outcasts United.” If you’re looking for more, I suggest the Best American Journalism of the 20th Century list compiled by New York University’s journalism department.
When you’re crawling into bed tomorrow, take a few minutes and pick up a novel. Not only is this more useful than tweeting for 15 minutes, but numerous studies have shown people who don’t look at a screen before they sleep rest more peacefully. New Year’s might be over, but make a resolution to enjoy at least one book this semester. You won’t regret it when it comes up in a discussion later.
– allee.evensen@aggiemail.usu.edu