It is important to think about what I read. Not to just consume and move on, voraciously reading every word in sight with no thought as to what it is I am consuming.
I have been thinking about this, off and on, for a long time now. I am in awe of those people who can pull out the hidden themes of the books they read, as well as find the metaphors and the symbolism in those stories.
I read a book, finish it, find another book. Wash, repeat.
A while ago I started a notebook full of quotes from books I read, a place to collect beautiful sentences and thought provoking quotes. If I found myself rereading a sentence multiple times, or still thinking about it chapters later, I wrote it down. This practice made me a little more aware of what I am reading.
Still, what was the difference between my understanding of books, and the people I admired?
After much angsty thought, I began to wonder if perhaps it is this practice of thinking about what I read. Perhaps if I slowed down, and considered the story, I would understand it better. So I tried it in the simplest of ways.
I asked myself, ‘Why?’
‘Why do I like this character so much? Why do I dislike them so much?’
‘Why is this character the mentor? What is the author trying to tell me through the mentor?’
‘Why am I so sad over this part? Why am I so mad about this part?’
Any feeling I have, I ask where it came from. If I don’t know a word, I ask myself what it means, and go find out.
This simple question, the first one we learn as kids, has helped me to understand the books I read so, so much more. I feel as though a curtain is slowly lifting. Not only can I see the story being played out on the surface, but I am getting a glimpse at what is going on behind the curtain. I enjoy the stories I read a little more now, because I understand them better.
I feel I have to end this by saying I don’t do this with every book. Some stories I read, enjoy, and leave it at that. Balance is good.
Shaina Merrick
The Beauty of a Story 