Read whenever you have the chance

I have been reading for as long as I can remember. As it goes with any great love, I cannot explain when, how and why this love for reading has developed but I know that books have been part of my life since my earliest age. They wait for me at home, they travel with me, I carry them in my bag, I buy them to myself and others; I am completely uncritically and absolutely blindly in love with the printed word.

I am a bit of an ‘omnivore’ when it comes to books. If a book attracts me at first glance – by its title, introductory sentence, synopsis, writer, or review – I will definitely read it.

I read almost everything – from fiction, classics, science fiction and epic fantasy, philosophy, arts, law, to an array of other books which escape categorisation as certain genre of literature. I read them because I am curious by nature. I am especially fond of comics and graphic novels by European authors which I got hooked on over the past dozen of years. Among my favourite comics authors are André Franquin (Gaston et le Marsupilami) and Philippe Geluck (Le Chat).

If you asked me if I had a favourite writer, I would say I do not have only one, but that there are writers to whom I return more often in comparison with some other writers. These are writers by whom I have read more books, such as Alessandro Baricco, Umberto Eco, Borislav Pekić, or Gabriel García Márquez. Every one of them has that something in his books (tone of narration), which is why their books are among the rare which I am happy to read again and again.

Reading is one of my essential needs, too. I find peace in books. I understand myself and the world around me better. In some periods, I tend to read more, while in some other, I read considerably less, depending on whether I am going through a ‘crisis’ or not. Nevertheless, I got into practice of reading two books a month on average, which in these times of flood of information and notifications often elicits awe – ‘How do you manage this, where do you find time for that?’ and admiration – ‘Bravo! I can’t even manage reading 10 pages.‘

Reading is not always an antistress therapy, since a good book is not necessarily relaxing, light, and beautiful, and good books are not always an easy read. Nonetheless, I don’t care whether some piece of literature will perplex me, make me sad, frighten me, cheer me up, make me laugh, or relax me. It is important that it doesn’t leave me indifferent. If a book succeeds in touching me even a little, if it makes me brood over it or if it inspires some emotion, this is a time well spent. Sometimes, it can even be a cathartic experience. Anyway, good art is not necessarily beautiful and easy, and I increasingly tend to agree with the idea that ‘Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable’.

Reading is also important for my mental health and is often a clear indicator of the state I’m in. The periods of my life when I was reading least were always the periods of my worst crises, because if I do not manage to find time or desire to read, notwithstanding all my love for it, this in my case means that an inner balance has been disturbed. Returning to books was always a sign that I was well again, that I returned to myself, and that the crisis was over.

Read whenever you find an opportunity for that. Reading does not only improve your concentration, but also enriches your vocabulary, increases your knowledge and critical thinking, stimulates your creativity, and improves the quality of your sleep. Each page you read contributes to your personal development and mental health.

I would like to draw your attention to some authors who are on the list of my favourites. They are of different genres, but quite unique and easy to read. Tell us about your impressions! 😊

1. Silk by Alessandro Baricco – Very special novel, one of the shortest and most simply written novels I have read, but it is full of serious emotions.
2. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes – One of the most famous, awarded science fiction novels; also, one of the most frequently banned novels.
3. The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb – A book that deals with the phenomenon of incredible and unpredictable events, written by a mathematician and former Wall Street broker.

Author: Jelena Danilović, Head of Compliance, Hemofarm Group
Source: Hemofarm Foundation - Read whenever you have the chance (fondacijahemofarm.org.rs)