“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion” Albert Camus
Reading helps challenge your worldview. It also exposes you to ideas that the mainstream society doesn’t want you to necessarily explore because it sometimes warns you against allowing certain things to happen. It’s hard to read 1984 by George Orwell and not become concerned. All dystopian fiction is rooted in an aspect of society that the author is concerned about and then exaggerates. Or do they? There’s always different ways to analyze or interpret what you are reading. Reading is an experience. Yes there are book communities or even book clubs to join and share and discuss what you are reading but ultimately reading is still personal. The one author that always challenges my way of thinking is Neal Schusterman. I honestly think his book Unwind is perhaps the best book to read to challenge your ideas regarding Pro-Choice/Pro-Life arguments and it does it in a way that makes you think and want to read more all at the same time. In recent years there’s been efforts to boycott authors who are problematic personally. I’ve always taken more of a stance that art should stand on its own. Honestly most authors when you dive more into their lives become extremely problematic. It also requires criteria to be created. Instead I’d rather read what I want to read. I am in favor of not providing money to the author so the best way to get a copy of books from authors who are problematic are to go to the library or go to a used bookstore. The author already received the royalty or their estate did which means you aren’t continuing to financially contribute to their debauchery. I also always have a problem with people trying to control other people especially through what they read. Instead if you have built a solid foundation you can trust the person to read whatever they want. Currently I’m finishing up my reading of Start with Why by Simon Sinek. One of the reasons I like to read multiple books at times so I can focus on the things that resonate over the things that don’t. Next week I might explore the books I think should be required reading. In the meantime Happy Reading!
