It is so easy to take reading for granted. Most Americans grow up learning to read at an early age and function efficiently by reading every day. Some people read fast and others read slowly. Retention of knowledge and understanding of what is going in our world is a vital ingredient in everyday life. Reading is important in every career. It is hard to imagine how hard it would be to operate if one was unable to read. To understand what that might be like, take a trip to China and try to decipher Chinese characters while driving on the busy roadways. Reading is also a special pleasure. The hardest factor is finding the time to sit down and read. For me, it is one of the great joys of life. To make the most out of reading, you need a good environment around you.
To make the most of these precious moments, it helps to read in a comfortable position and atmosphere. Invest in good lighting. Whether you need reading glasses or not, it helps when you can easily see the words on a page without straining your eyes. The next step is to sit in a comfortable position. I generally read better when I am sitting up. When laying down, I sometimes doze off. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a nap, but not at the expense of reading. Eliminating distractions is also helpful. I listen to light classic music in the background. This helps get rid of loud background noise. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony might be too energetic, so I usually play something soothing and light. Feel free to return to the same music from time to time. Turn the phone off. Once you jump away from reading, you might not return. Reading is your time to explore.
A comfortable chair, couch or bed is vital. I vary the places I read around the house. Good blood flow helps you to avoid fatigue. I like to be as relaxed as possible. The light should come over your shoulder. If there is glare bouncing off the page try adjusting the light, so that it spreads evenly across the page. Publishers should print their works with readable print. It is no fun when it is hard work to read a page. Reading glasses can be a helpful tool. A glass of water helps me to stay hydrated and focused. A blaze going in the fireplace is an excellent addition to your reading ambiance.
As the years pass my interests seem to change. For a while, I was reading so much political material that I was not sleeping well at night. My anxiety ruined any chance of restful sleep. I switched to reading about space, history, adventure, and biographies. Now I am happier. I am big on reading magazines and subscribe to many including: Time, Atlantic, The New Yorker, National Geographic, The New York Review of Books, Cruising World, Sailing World, Architectural Digest, Lapham’s Quarterly, Down East, Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors, and of course, What’s Up? Annapolis.
Every time a magazine arrives in my mailbox, I am excited. As for newspapers, I started a subscription to The New York Times as a freshman in high school. I have been reading The Times for the past 55 years. These days I really enjoy the intense competition between The Times and the Washington Post. Adding to the list I peruse The Capital and occasionally The Wall Street Journal. It might sound like a lot of reading, but scheduling a routine makes it easy.
My favorite, (and longest), time for reading is Sunday morning. We attend an 8 a.m. church service. After breakfast, I set aside a solid three hours for reading the Sunday papers (Times, Post and Capital). Over the years, I have developed a set routine of the order when I read each section. I can’t help but conduct an unofficial competition between the papers to learn who did the best job covering the same basic story. Maybe The Times has an edge, but then again, they are the “newspaper of record.” I particularly appreciate how complimentary graphic images are to the written narrative in newspapers these days. Yes, pictures can be worth a thousand words.
I am generally reading two books at the same time. I have long purchased hardcover books. Somehow, I think the book has more value in a hardcover format. Unfortunately, I don’t read as much fiction as I would like, and instead, favor non-fiction works. I sometimes get into a series of books by specific authors. For a few years, I had a good run with Sinclair Lewis’s social commentary during the early 20th Century. Walter Isaacson, Bryan Burrough, Michael Lewis, Tracy Kidder, Dava Sobel, Tom Wolfe, and Nathaniel Philbrick are a few of my favorite writers.
When I was in graduate school out on Long Island, N.Y., a new store called Barnes and Noble opened up on campus. It sold mostly textbooks back then, but the company sure has expanded. In Annapolis, I frequent the bookshops on Maryland Avenue, on Main Street, and for a hidden gem check out the classic bookstore on the St. John’s College campus.
If you want to do something special, take the time to read to your children or grandchildren. They will surprise you with the most interesting questions. Younger children never seem to tire of hearing the same story over and over. The routine will encourage them to be active readers as they grow up. It pains me to see so many young people with their faces buried in the screens of cell phones. Sure, texting is important, but the larger world is missed when you rely on cell phone messages only. Books, magazines, newspapers, and brochures open up a fascinating world. Take the time to explore the world. You will be happier and more knowledgeable.
