Every day, people are thirstily receiving information. Reading is a unique way to receive information. This article reinterprets the value of reading for this stall and introduces personal reading methods.
The Value of Reading#
I have never been a person who likes to read. — About Books xlog telegraph
Everyone has their favorite topics, and thus their favorite books. If you don't like reading, it means you haven't found a book you like. "I have never been a person who likes to read" emphasizes the pain of reading, while this article focuses on the joy of reading, which is its value.
The value of a book lies not in the book itself but in its essence, so sometimes you want to read, and sometimes you don't. But value can be discovered. We may not have liked reading when we were young, but as our experiences and needs change, books can shine anew for us.
The value of reading is not only in the reading itself; from searching for books, to reading, and then recommending books, the entire process has value.
Searching for Books#
Searching for books is a joyful activity, a kind of aimless wandering. The title of a book is the most important; perhaps you don't like this book, but a title can spark infinite imagination.
Searching for books is not about the impatience of finding a specific book, but rather enjoying the process. Whether in English book recommendations or elsewhere, you can appreciate others' preferences and experience exotic flavors.
At first, we might look for books with strong sensations, such as novels with compelling plots or seductive elements, but as our energy wanes, we may enter a state of having nothing to read, known as a reading drought. In fact, there are many good novels; it's just that our capacity for reading novels has temporarily saturated. At this point, the joy of searching for books arises; not "loving only one flower" allows us to "search for fragrant grass everywhere."
Once, an elderly woman asked me: "Are those stories on Douyin real?"
I said: "Of course not, they are all made up."
She said: "These people are really something, they can come up with such stories. I've always wanted to read, what should I do? Is there a way to read less?"
I said: "Once you read enough, you won't want to read anymore."
Reading#
I once chatted with someone, trying my best to enrich the conversation, and it worked well, but it was also tiring. Reading leisurely is no less effective than chatting, and it's not tiring. More importantly, no one will chat with you continuously, and the quality of continuous chatting will decrease.
Joy is my starting point for reading. This joy is not so intense; it doesn't attract you to read continuously like popular or sensational literature. Sensational literature is too joyful, hence not joyful. As stated in "The End of Desire: Reflections and Art：Thoughts and Art," subtle joy is the most enduring. The joy of reading should also be subtle.
If loving to read is a form of obsession, then each book has its unique flavor, quiet as water, waiting for you to pick.
As for the knowledge gained from reading, it doesn't matter much. Reading leisurely doesn't require much calculation; a light joy is enough.
Recommending Books#
Recommending books is a form of output. After finishing a book, you can choose not to share what you've read, which means you gain nothing and lose nothing. But if you share and recommend a book, you will gain a lot of value.
This stall has recommended many books in the past, but why has it stopped? Recommending books is about sharing others' thoughts; it's more joyful to share one's own thoughts. In reality, what are one's own thoughts? In "On Creation," it has been discussed that "creating without creation" is a matter of value. Thoughts have no DNA, but they can be utilized.
Moreover, one must receive a lot of information before they can output. Recommending books that one recognizes is like publishing the training materials for artificial intelligence; it allows everyone to have a more comprehensive understanding of this stall.
This is also the value of citing sources. Recommending books connects one's own discourse system with the outside world, returning to the vast universe.
More importantly, the workflow of recommending books and writing blogs forms a closed loop, creating an independently functioning system. Whether reading, recommending books, or writing blogs, one will feel joy.
As a subscriber, I hope to receive more fresh content. Recommending books and writing blogs complement each other, creating a win-win situation.
This stall can also reconnect its thoughts through recommending books. This applies to anyone who recommends books.
Methods of Reading#
Reading has many values. But regardless of the value, one must face the question, "How to read?" This stall shares its reading methods as a starting point.
Attitude Towards Reading#
There isn't much method to reading; just read. The reason for needing a method is to read more comfortably, which leads to a greater love for reading, thus forming a closed loop.
The most important aspect of reading is to be "spontaneous." There is no need to focus on the depth of reading; a light taste is sufficient. If strict goals are set, the enjoyment will naturally decrease; without enjoyment, reading won't last. If it doesn't last, depth doesn't matter. Of course, here, reading refers to leisurely reading, not studying. Conversely, not focusing on depth doesn't mean not paying attention. When encountering something wonderful, one can read carefully.
Additionally, different books bring different pleasures; "go with enthusiasm and return when the excitement is over." If a book is good, glance at it; if it's not, just put it down.
In "Possession or Existence," it is mentioned, "Once he knows the ending, he possesses the story as if he has experienced it himself. However, he gains no knowledge from it." Reading in a way of existence, waving goodbye, takes nothing away. What is taken away may be more, and books truly become a part of us.
Obstacles to Reading#
There are two major problems with reading: one is lack of time, and the other is eye fatigue.
If reading is spontaneous, then both problems can be solved.
Lack of time can be mitigated by skimming, allowing reading at any time. Eye fatigue can be alleviated by being spontaneous, allowing for both visual reading and listening, with no strict limitations. Listening to books extends the time available for reading. If engaged in physical activities, one can almost listen to books at any time.
Because of spontaneity, reading has no barriers.
Methods of Listening to Books#
Novels are more suitable for human narration, but not all books are suitable for human narration; mechanical voices can provide a more calming effect. Moreover, not all books have human narrations. Using a mechanical voice is a more universal method; you can listen to books anytime, anywhere.
A phone with a large battery can allow you to listen to books all day long. If you use offline packages, you can listen to books all day long without internet access. Reading thus gains liberation.
Regarding the quality of narration, it is actually improving rapidly. In the near future, TTS will be more realistic and smooth.
Currently, I use multitts, combined with Reading or Quiet Reading, making listening to books very smooth. For more details, you can join the @multtts Telegram group. Currently, the quality of the voice packages from Guagua is quite good, and the voice packages from Sogou TTS are also decent. Of course, the voice type depends on personal preference.
Capturing Inspiration#
Reading is input as well as output. Your understanding of a book is a form of output. In the attitude towards reading, this stall emphasizes being spontaneous and skimming; this is the attitude towards general books. However, when inspiration strikes, it should be recorded for deeper reflection, thus forming a closed loop between light and deep, reading and writing. It can be a screenshot, a sentence, or a trace left by a passing goose.
Summary of Reading#
One can stand atop the peak and overlook the mountains.
When desires recede, gazing at the other shore, books are like small boats. There are not many things in the world that can bring joy to people, and books are one of them. They are not the other shore; the purpose of the small boat is to sail through the sea, not to be hidden on the other shore.
Books do not have to be a ladder to progress, but they must be an honest friend. In fact, there is no need to summon red scarves and green sleeves; books can evoke the tears of heroes.
Written on October 17, 2024, after the busy farming season in the cold rain.