Reading Frenzy

The other day, I read an article in The New Yorker about speed reading apps and our desire to get through copious amounts of information at an unnatural pace. This idea reminded me of what i like to call Portlandia's Reading Frenzy (the actual name is Did You Read It?), a skit that portrays how ridiculous we are for trying to read absolutely everything.

I think most of us are losing the magic that goes along with being selective of the books we read and taking the time to really immerse ourselves in a story. I have more books on my to-read shelf than I dare to count and often a new purchase gets placed at the bottom of the pile, only to sit forgotten and lonely until I eventually get around to it.

It's okay to be selective about what you're reading. No one's going to knock at your front door and reprimand you for not reading the week's bestselling novels. Our varied interests keep things interesting, keep the publishing industry in motion, and keep us participating in a community of literature.

Reading is not a race. Reading, above all, is an experience. That experience is different for everyone, but it should not be ignored. Enjoy what you're reading - and if you're not enjoying it, don't be afraid to put it down! Make sure you truly love the next book you read and take your time turning the pages. Take in the words and get to know the characters. Stop thinking about all the other books waiting for you at the local bookshop and enjoy the story in your hands.