Reading and its consideration of being “performative”:

 Reading, something you are doing right now, is an art of empathizing and understanding an author’s words. Over this past week, I have really indulged into reading more than I used to, and  I have realized something that is very conflicting and hypocritical, on my part. When I started this blog, I thought I was more into reading classical literature than contemporary. But then I had a reading slump, which led to me trying to read different types of books rather than particularly classics. So, I started reading something that I would have considered ‘too childish’ or ‘too easy’ when I was all about classics- Harry Potter.  

After reading it, and very much enjoying it, it made me realize the reason that I was so much against reading books that are not classics is because I did not want people to think of me as a person who reads petulant books, so instead I decided that I would sometimes read tediously through classics that I would not enjoy; and as some on social media would call it, I was being ‘performative’. Basically, what went through my head is that classics have more history, longevity and complexity than modern books, and so therefore, they were better. Now, do not get me wrong, when I began reading classics, it was very enjoyable, but as it went on, I started to slowly lose interest, but who knows, maybe it will come back. 

What I am trying to say here is that reading should not be be something that is viewed in the same perspective as my old one, and rather should be something that is chosen to do based off interest and crave for knowledge, and not be done to seem intellectual, which I learnt the hard way by not taking my own advice. Because of perspectives like mine, reading has lost its meaning of being an art, which is exactly what this blog does not stand for. So, take this as a lesson or initiative to start reading, and to not be embarrassed about what you read, even though you have to start small, and do not worry, so will I. 

Catch you next Wednesday when you flip the page!