Importance of books

Books are such an important part of life. While the importance of books in transmitting knowledge across generations is obvious, books have a very important role to play in helping one with deal with himself and the complex environment around him. It is through books that one interacts with like minded people across generations and overcomes despair and gains hope. It is through books that one learns that there have been others in the past who have dealt with some of the most difficult problems that he has been burdened with and this provides him with a ray of hope that he too can overcome. It is by reading the lives of other people that one realizes that it is not just he who has had to make tough choices.

Human beings come in a lot of different flavours. A situation which might seem complex and nerve wrecking for one could be a run of the mill event for another. A situation which could bring extreme joy and happiness for one could leave another untouched. With such a variety of people, it is often difficult to find another person who has a similar mindset and who would be able to relate to the complexities that you percieve. And this is where books gain a lot of importance. When one has the habit of reading books and of being aware of the world which has gone by through the medium of books, he has done a huge favour upon himself where he now has access to the minds of people across generations.

Imagine not having read I wandered lonely as a cloud by Wordsworth and missing out on the rich imagination with which the author alleviates his own loneliness by drawing inspiration and energy from nature. Imagine not having read Let me not to the marriage of true minds… by Shakespeare and missing out on the lovely depiction of pure love! Imagine not having read the travails and self doubt of Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings when he moves through Mordor to destroy the one ring and how relevant it is in our day to day life when we have to constantly face questions from our inner selves when dealing with the world around us.

I could go one with thousands of other such examples. There is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom out there if only we know how to use it!