In times of struggle, there are as many reasons not to read as there are to breathe. Don't you have bigger things to do? Reading, let alone re-reading, is the terrain of milquetoasts and mopey spinsters. At life's ugliest junctures the very act of opening a book can smack of cowardly escapism. Who chooses to read when there's work to be done?Call me a coward if you will, but when the line between duty and sanity blurs, you can usually find me curled up with a battered book, reading as if my mental health depended on it. And it does, for inside the books I love I find food, respite, escape, and perspective.
During challenging times, people often feel that reading may not be a priority, as there are countless other obligations demanding their attention. The act of diving into a book can sometimes seem like a way to avoid confronting real-life issues, prompting criticism of those who choose to escape into literature when there are tasks to accomplish. This perspective suggests that reading might be viewed as an indulgence reserved for those lacking more pressing responsibilities.
However, the author challenges this notion by defending the value of reading, especially during tough periods. For her, escaping into a beloved book is not an act of cowardice but a necessary retreat that fosters mental well-being. Through these stories, she gains nourishment for her mind and spirit, finding comfort, insight, and clarity that ultimately help her navigate life's difficulties. Her experience highlights the profound role literature can play in maintaining one's mental health amidst chaos.
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Other quotes in The Heroine's Bookshelf: Life Lessons, from Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
