"It is a truth universally acknowledged..."

...that literature is the pinnacle of human achievement. At this very moment, thousands of people all around the world are reading books, soaking up wisdom and happiness via the written word. A book is always worth one's time, whether it be a murder mystery, period romance, or science fiction thriller. Literature is the key to the battle against ignorance, for simply reading one book can greatly raise one's level of intelligence. Books are not just tools used for learning, however. Books have a way of capturing one's heart and soul, of making themselves precious to their readers. Literature, in brief, is a brilliant phenomena that humanity cannot exist without. Why are books adored, you ask? Well, I believe people love books simply because of what they are.

So, what are books?

 

Books are INFLUENTIAL

Literary works such as Uncle Tom's Cabin, To a Kill a Mockingbird, and Elie Weisel's Night have helped to shape society into what it is today. Uncle Tom's Cabin, for example, shed light on the slavery issue in America in the mid-1800s and, as a result, sparked the American Civil War. Literature's influence is not confined to the world as a whole, however. Books have the ability to influence a single person as well. Almost every literate person can point out a book that they have been inspired by, or that has changed them for the better. It is simply a book's nature to spread influence wherever it can.

 

Books are TRUTHFUL

Inside each and every book is a glimmer of truth. It does not matter whether a book is classified as "realistic fiction" or "dystopian sci-fi"--the root of the story is always truthful. Books present people with fictitious situations that are designed to remind them of very true ideals. A classic fictional book such as The Great Gatsby reminds readers of the perils of secret-keeping, while a more far-fetched fantasy novel such as Stardust reminds people of the connectedness between seemingly unconnected events. Within every novel is a truism that readers are meant to take to heart. As G. K. Chesterton once said, "Fairy tales are more than true: Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." 

 

Books are AN ESCAPE

A book is a momentary escape from the weariness and difficulty of reality. Whether a person is feeling blue, in an unfavorable situation, or is simply lonely, a book will always be there for them, an ever-present shoulder to cry on. A book is a safe place for one to retreat to when times get tough, for a book will not only distract them, but teach them things they will need to know when they return. Books enable people to stop being themselves for a bit, for a person can be anyone they dream of with the right novel in hand. By reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, one can become the most brilliant detective in the history of Scotland Yard. By flipping through the pages of The Lord of the Rings, a person can deliver the One Ring to Mount Doom to heroically save Middle Earth. By scanning the pages of Pride and Prejudice, one can live the greatest love story of all time. A book is a journey to another place, another time, another world, and it is an escape from the pain of everyday life.

 

A world without books is one I would loathe to live in. Without books, imagination and hope dies. Literature is a part of my life that I am unwilling to live without, and I am sure countless other people feel the same way. As Anna Quindlen once so gorgeously said, "Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home."

 

Visit my Top Ten and Recommendations pages to find dozens of fantastic books that are definitely worth the read! 

Happy reading!