To be clear, I am not saying that fiction is something that anyone and everyone should avoid at all costs. I am simply relaying my own personal experience and should you find yourself in a similar situation then feel free to take inspiration as you see fit. At first glance this might seem rather radical, how could I limit myself from 50% of the books out there. To many reading fiction books is fun and pleasurable. Indeed, I myself, like many others have developed our love for reading through fiction. I can still remember rather distinctly the first fiction book I read: Harry Potter and the sorcerers stone. And to say that I was entranced would be an understatement. For it was this book that acted as the spark that would light the bonfire within me. My fiery passion for reading as with many people, I trust, started with the Harry Potter novels. There is certainly something magical about fiction books. One has to wonder how do words on a piece of paper manage to illustrate a story so beautifully, so vividly. I suppose this is a testament to the power of imagination. Furthermore, a curious observation that I had about fiction, is that it’s a form of adventure. When we read a story, our brains play it out much like a movie in our own minds (at least that’s how I read). The crucial thing of note is that all these happens internally, in our own minds. Reality is harsh, reality is unforgiving, when you mess up, reality doesn’t look too favourably upon you. When we imagine these stories in our mind, they are like mock simulations, for us to project our selves unto the characters, to adventure about with more courage without much repercussion in real life. And perhaps this is why fiction is so attractive to us. So having dedicated an entire paragraph towards proving how much I love fiction books, what am I getting at when I say I don’t read them anymore?
The problem with fiction books, as it is, is that it’s too interesting, it’s too engaging, too pleasurable, and also all too time consuming. Having read the above sentence it might sound rather ludicrous. One might ask claim that them at is the very purpose of a fiction book: To entertain. Furthermore, how could one say no to more pleasure? Most of us, I trust, have furnished our lives with work and it’s various responsibilities. If one wishes to succeed in a particular field, we would naturally assume the person would have to put in their hardest effort to achieve it, sacrificing other commitments in order to accomplish the said goal (except their relationships and health of course). Other than the banal point of how the very act of reading Takes up our precious time, it is also the case that when we close the book, to get on with our work, our minds will continuously linger upon the contents of the book, wondering about what could have happened and this and that, which impedes our ability to focus on the task at hand. Reading fiction, based on my own personal experience places me in an unoptimal state of mind, such that I lose the motivation and will to engage with my work and instead feel an intense desire to continue reading the book in order to finish the story.
Sounds familiar?
When we use social media, do we not experience this sense of fear of missing out (FOMO), that constantly haunts our minds, that beckons us to use the app again. Or perhaps the bane of your existence might be video games, the imminent yet ever so elusive prospect of getting that item that you have always yearned for in the game. I don’t think that there is any debate whatsoever on the harmfulness of such vices, for it has been well documented upon. There are certainly lines of parallel to be drawn between these bad habits and the act of reading fiction. As for me, I get into the same state of mind as that of using social media or playing video games when reading fiction. Perhaps you bearing a string grasp over your mind, might possess the capability to usher such thoughts away and focus. But I don’t, and I have reason to believe that most people don’t as well.
Our society has a tendency to glorify and encourage the reading of fiction. Does this mean that I am some kind of fiction book basher that would settle for nothing less than the burning of all fiction books in one great funeral pyre? No. Fiction books deserve to be enjoyed. After all it did inspire my love for reading in the first place. Where would I be if I did not stumble upon fiction books? (Perhaps I would have remained as an illiterate, uncultured swine) Fiction books do have their utility. They are a great source of entertainment when the days are long. They also act as a gateway that can adequately introduce people to the world of reading. However, for minds of a certain maturity, I should think that other books such as the likes of non fiction would prove to be more applicable. I would contend that non fiction books, being generally less engaging than fiction books, might have a lower tendency to distract, and also serve more of an educative purpose.
In a nutshell, when you chase something, you don’t chase something else at the same time. It might be fiction books for me, but it might be something else for you. Sounds obvious, but is it though, because most people are guilty of that very mistake. Reflect upon your own daily life, ponder over how you allocate your time, and you might find yourself much closer to success in your endeavours.