A goal that I have been working on this year is to read more. If you didn't know, reading can help reduce stress, expand your vocabulary, and serve as a form of entertainment. The way I see it, reading allows you to visualize and process the content yourself, rather than everything being spoon-fed to you. Not to say films and shows are evil, but these mediums while powerful in their own right, often condense narratives, potentially losing some of the depth found in their original texts. With that being said; here are some literary works I'm set to get into.
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
I'm pretty sure all have heard about this classic novel to some degree, but I assume we've always avoided learning more about it because of how intimidating the length of this read is. However, I've come to figure out that Don Quixote explores themes of humor, character development, and imagination; things we can all relate to. It also turns out that in terms of Western literature, this book is considered to be the first modern novel according to scholars and critics alike.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
For some reason, this book seems to sell out everywhere whenever Trump becomes commander-in-chief. But even without that factor, copies of this bad boy always fly off of the shelf. Why, you may ask? Well, the tale of a government peering into its citizens' lives through surveillance and control of information can resonate with many in our modern world. I hope that after I'm done with this one, I can take a look around and think "Well, at least I'm not in 1984 by George Orwell".
3. Confessions by Saint Augustine
St. Augustine was a theologian who lived during the 4th, and 5th centuries, and was one who struggled with doubts and a search for meaning. According to scholars, Confessions gives us an intimate look into his thoughts of loss, guilt, and redemption in his conversion to Christianity. I believe this synopsis can encourage others to read this piece to reflect on their own lives and beliefs.
Ultimately, reading is a journey of discovery, both of the world around us and of ourselves. I'm excited to see where these titles will take me; perhaps I'll consider letting you all know what I thought about them when finished.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21
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