The Power of the Press

The Pleasures of Reading

Reading is one pastime which is beneficial. Those people who do not read just cannot realise what they are missing.

People read all kinds of books ranging from detective novels to science fiction and philosophy. Some people may spend their time reading newspapers or magazines. Others prefer books on housekeeping, sewing and cooking while a few like to read the histories and biographies of famous men and women. These books are useful because they lead to self-improvement.

Most people read for pleasure. Such reading relaxes the mind and drives away boredom. Tension is also got rid of, and so this pastime does a great service.

People also read to increase their knowledge. By reading we get to know so much about the things around us. We learn about people and their behaviour, and we can also learn about the lives other people lead, which are different from ours.

If not for reading, many people would just not know how to pass their leisure time. They might have to resort to other pastimes which might be harmful. So reading does mankind a great service because it can keep people occupied.

One of the greatest pleasures of reading is that you cannot get irritated with books. Books do not irritate you, and neither do they talk back to you. Books are your silent friends: they keep you company, and when you discard then they do not protest or retaliate.

Other pastimes may require a lot of expenditure. Reading is one of the cheapest of all pastimes. You need not buy books; you can borrow them from your friends and from the library. Libraries are well stocked, and you have a very wide choice. You can also read books in a library for free.

Reading can cultivate in you a sense of values and you can appreciate life better when you realise why certain people behave in certain ways in certain circumstances. Reading can also make you more broad-minded and thoughtful, and people may respect you for your tolerance and wisdom.

Reading is one...