It took me 22 years to realize that written literature is one of the most important creations in human history. The ability to read and tap into the
mind of an author from centuries ago, where the writings have been passed down, translated, or reinterpreted over generations, is made possible by two
sets of people: the author and the reader. Not everyone is a gifted writer—I, myself, struggle with putting my thoughts onto paper or even explaining
them aloud for others to understand. However, I firmly believe that everyone has the capacity for deep thought when reading books. While attention spans
may vary, even a short period of focus can lead to something meaningful being retained when reading.
I never read much until about three years ago, when I realized that our lives only grant us so many experiences, each teaching us a limited number of
lessons. In my lifetime, I’ll never know firsthand what it’s like to live in a dystopian world where books are outlawed, be a wizard at Hogwarts, or
experience life as a philosopher with a unique outlook on life and death. However, through writing and reading, we can glimpse these different realities,
taking lessons from them and applying them to our own lives where they fit. This is why reading is important—it allows us to explore entirely different
lives from our own. In a world where we are more isolated from one another than ever before, I believe this is crucial for developing open-mindedness
and intellectual growth.
Below is a list of books I plan to read at my own pace. Some are by authors whose work I'm familiar with, while others are recommendations I found
online that seemed interesting. My goal is to learn as much as possible. This includes exploring a wide range of political, philosophical, and
imaginative writings before I pass away. I don’t want to find myself on my deathbed wishing I had read more on stoicism. To understand the ideologies
that humans have created and documented, it’s essential to read the literature behind each one—even the ones I may disagree with. Having an open-minded
approach to these opposing viewpoints is the only true way to comprehend why humans thought the way they did, how they thought, and when they thought
certain things throughout history.
Knowledge is power, and books are the epitome of knowledge.