by Amanda N.

Created on: April 21, 2009   Last Updated: October 16, 2010

As Mortimer J. Adler, an American author, educator and philosopher, once said, "Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life." It perfectly describes how important reading is in the course of our life. We are tied to reading since infancy and childhood. When we grow up and start our learning life in high school and university, we continue reading for different purposes, like finishing schoolwork or reading newspaper. Stepping into working life doesn't make us stop reading. We still read in some way or other, for work or entertainment purposes.

 
That said, the importance of reading is beyond doubt. But how important is it? For some, an auto-response might be: reading enriches our knowledge. This answer is partially true. It's true when you only read as you are told to, such as finishing homework or a reading report. It's also true when you think reading is only an activity that helps kill your time when you have nothing better to do. In both cases, reading is certainly not of substantial importance to you, and you won't benefit much from reading, except for gaining knowledge to keep competitive in school. However, when you enjoy reading and embrace it with full force, reading will have a much more fruitful impact on your life than when you treat it casually. With a changed mentality, reading not only broadens your knowledge, but also takes you to another level. A change of attitude can determine how reading affects you and your life.
 
Subtle and undetectable as its fruits may seem, reading shapes your thinking and strengthens your analytical ability. Through reading, you tap into an unlimited reservoir of knowledge, and can explore as much as you want to know. Over time, you can unveil your potential that was untouched. When you are faced with problems to solve, you will have more resources than others. Armed with such an arsenal which you have collected in your reading years, you are capable of confronting the problems with efficiency and flexibility.
 
Dawn Adams said, "Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends." Books are the best nutrients for your mind. People who like reading have better writing skills and analytic ability because their thinking is well trained by reading on a long-term basis. These abilities are established on a brick-and-mortar grounding, and brought to you by a commitment to reading. The importance of reading is undeniable; the best way to benefit from it is by reading, from now on.

Learn more about this author, Amanda N..
Click here to send this author comments or questions.