Reading as a Hobby

By Peter Jay

"Reading as a Hobby"

I. Reading is one of the most constructive hobbies a person can have. The difference between ignorance and knowledge is only a book away. Reading stimulates your mind. It makes you think. You can learn to do many other hobbies by reading. It will generate in you new ideas and a more sound understanding of the world and those around you. All great men and women have had a love of reading and a passion for learning.

II. Reading can be a relaxing hobby as well. It is something you can just sit around in your house and do. You can go to the park and read. You can go up into the mountains or out in field to read alone if you would like. You can get completely lost in reading and forget where you are or what time it is, or how much time has passed while you have been reading. If you do not like reading, do it anyway, until you learn to love it. Read different types of books to see which genre of books are most interesting to you.


III. Reading can fit all personality types, whether you like fiction or non-fiction, action, adventure, drama, humor, whatever it may be, there are books that will fit your tastes. I try to read books as often as I can. I have a personal website now, where I created a book club and can make comments or reviews of the books I read. I think I enjoy every book that I read. Every single one has something to offer, something to learn from it.

IV. The more you put into a book, the more you get out of it. You can read a very boring book, but if you read between the lines you can find surprising things that interest you. Think of the deeper meanings of the stories and the lessons the authors are trying to teach, whether you agree with them or not. If you do not agree with them, think to yourself why. Look at the stories of the lives of the people in the books and what you can learn from them; analyze and critique them. I enjoy reading nonfiction books, but I can enjoy any book that is well written and has deep and insightful truths.


V. Books can make you see the world differently; they can make you understand things more fully and wholly. They can change your paradigm. They will increase your vocabulary, your understanding of life and people, and with this understanding, you will gain more confidence in your social interactions. You will be able to argue your opinions more thoroughly and logically. You will understand the current issues to a greater extent. When you learn to understand others better, you can become more tolerant and respectful of differing opinions. Your opinions will become more logical and solidified; they may change and be molded as they are solidifying from your increase in knowledge.

VI. It does not matter what your interests and hobbies are, reading is a good way to start. Reading will enhance your quality of life in every area and facet of your life. Escape the world and get into a book. Live the lives of thousands of others in the books you read. Share their adventures. Learn what they have learned. Find out answers to life's most deep and troubling questions. In books you may find things you were never looking for. You may find yourself. You may find that you have much in common with the characters you are reading about. They can inspire you to overcome obstacles and challenges as they have done. They can assure you that if you fight on you can overcome seemingly impossible challenges, so start finding books at your nearest library.


A. Read the above article and choose whether the following statements are true or false based on what you have read.

1. Reading makes you dull and lethargic.

2. According to the author, you should immediately give up reading if you don't enjoy it.

3. If you do not like reading, it is recommended that you read various kinds of books until you eventually find which one you like the best.

4. The author feels that most people can derive pleasure from reading, but there are some personality types who should not waste their time on reading.

5. The author thinks that even boring books have their own value.

6. Paragraph V is mainly about the downside of reading.

7. In Paragraph VI, the author encourages the readers to pick up books to read.

B. Guessing word meanings from context

1. What does the word "constructive" (paragraph I) mean?

2. What does the word "genre" (paragraph II) mean?

3. What does the word "overcome" (paragraph VI) mean?


C. Identifying reference terms

1. What does the word "where" (paragraph III) refer to?
2. What does the word "one" (paragraph II) refer to?

(Answers to the above questions are available from the comment section below.)