one must always be careful of books

who  i am actions reflect

—–

 

One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

 

 

=

 

Cassandra Clare

—–

 

I had never seen this quote before.

 

I love it.

 

I never approach books with care.

 

I attack them with the excitement of what I may learn … albeit with a twinge of trepidation of not knowing how much a changed person I will be at the conclusion.

 

Aw shit … to be honest … I have no trepidation … I seek change in some form or fashion. That is why I read as often as much as I can.

 

Now. That said.

 

I sometimes believe we, far too often, look at books as literature … or stories … or ‘good reads’ … or ‘garbage.’

changing mind metanoia

What I mean by ‘far too often’ is that we take a book as a “whole” when discussing a book.

 

 

And more often than not … it is the parts and not the whole that nudge the changes within us.

 

 

–          A paragraph.

 

–          A small dialogue.

 

–          The bottom of a page where you quickly turn to complete the thought at the top of the next page.

 

–          A word or a small combination of words.

 

 

It is the part that changes something in you.

 

 

Sure.

 

Books as a whole can change you in a big sweeping way <on rare occasions>. And those are incredibly special books <typically residing on a shelf in your home somewhere>.

 

But more often you get changed little by little in reading a book.

 

And this means that … well … if you are not careful, and you read enough, the small pieces & parts have the power to change the whole of you.

 

 

I have never worded this thought the way Ms. Clare did … but … when asked the value of reading I have often responded with a similar thought.

 

 

I sometimes think we could get more people interested in reading if we didn’t demand they like/dislike or reflect on the totality of a book all the time.

 

change thinking about

 

I sometimes think we could get more people interested, and involved, in reading if we permitted them to revel in the moments and the small piece which made them think.

 

 

Have them revel in the words which reached inside them and … well … changed them in some way.

—–

“Literature is the record we have of the conversation between those of us now alive on earth and everyone who’s come before and will come after, the cumulative repository of humanity’s knowledge, wonder, curiosity, passion, rage, grief and delight.

 

It’s as useless as a spun-sugar snowflake and as practical as a Swiss Army knife.”

 

 

=

 

Dana Stevens and Adam Kirsch

<discussing whether literature should be considered useful>

—–

 

 

I know I will never convince everyone to love reading book … let alone even embrace reading in some way.

 

 

But I will relentlessly suggest that books will always contain some words that delight … and offer practicality. And, ultimately, some words that can change us.

 

 

And therefore I will relentlessly suggest people seek words, if not books, to read.

 

 

Words empower and change.self i am words

 

 

In the end?

 

Be careful of books.

 

 

You will leave a book behind … yet … you will be leaving not as you came.

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