I Don’t Read [X] …

There are people who say “I don’t read books.” Let’s not discuss them.

There are some readers who say, “I don’t read nonfiction.” To them I say, you are missing so many opportunities to get the best ideas, condensed and made accessible to you. You’re letting someone else do the research and reaping the benefits. You can be better at what you do if only you read nonfiction. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker changed how I view so many parts of my work last month. It will make me better at my work.

There are some readers who say, “I don’t read fiction.” They often argue that truth is strange enough without needing “pretend stories.” To them I say, you are missing chances to increase your empathy and understand the world around you. Even fantasy and science fiction, to say nothing of realist fiction, can have important things to say about reality despite their being “not real.” Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi profoundly affected how I understand 350 years of African and African American history in a story that couldn’t have been told as nonfiction.

The best answer, I think, is to be an omnivorous reader. Read fiction, read nonfiction. Read genres that you haven’t read before. Read children’s books, YA novels, poetry. Read everything and let it all help you grow.

Okay, to the people who don’t read at all. A book tells a story in a different way than a Marvel movie or a Netflix series. Close the device, pick an actual paper book at your local library (cost: free!) and read! Don’t let the pedantry you might have struggled against when reading a book with your class stop you from the remarkable, amazing, life-changing words waiting for you inside a good book.