We buy a
book and read through it once and then put it away on the bookshelf. But, did
we really read that book? How many times should a book be read?
Source: Oh, The Books! |
About a
fortnight ago, a friend invited me to join a Mastermind group to study
"The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John C. Maxwell. I had
always wanted to participate in a Mastermind group. Plus, I was examining my
life to identify areas that need improvement or adjustment. So I promptly
committed to the ten-week group.
Now my
first contact with this book was in 2003 when Hidden Treasures Bookstore opened
for business. In that season, it was one of our best sellers. As a bookseller
who wanted to be on top of her game, I read the book at the time. But, did I
really read that book?
I
received the first pre-meeting assignment and purposed in my heart that I would
be a diligent, focused member of the Mastermind group. I set out to get a new
copy of "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" and discovered that
it had been revised in 2007. Once I got the revised edition, I commenced
reading. Again and again, as I read on, I asked myself, "Did I really read
that book?"
You must
be wondering why this question kept coming up. The question arose because
although I had vague remembrances of the knowledge I grasped when I first read
the book in 2003. I had forgotten much of what I read. As I turned the pages, I
noticed some important information for the first time. In addition, with the
experience of passing years, I reckon that some information also became more
relevant to me. I wasn't the same person I was twelve years ago. I've grown and
had varied leadership experiences. I look back and assess my performance as
leader in the years gone by. All of these changed how I now view the book,
"The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership". Perhaps, I now appreciate
the book as I didn't do in my first reading. Perhaps things I glossed over
then, now have meaning in the light of my experiences.
I ask the
question again, "Did you really read that book?" when you read it
just once. There probably are various reasons why you don't re-read books. Some
would say, with so much to do, who has the time to re-read a book they already
read? Some others would say, I have read it once, and
I already know what's in the book, why re-read it? I'd say, don't
dismiss re-reading a book you have read. Re-reading can be a useful tool. Think
of how you will request a teacher to go over some material you really want to
understand. Why not take the same desire to understand a little further and
re-read a book once in a while?
Now it’s
your turn. Did you really read that book?
Oh! I'm one to read some books at least once. Because like some movies I re watch there is so much we miss the first time around!
ReplyDeleteI'm one to re-read ....is what I meant to say.
ReplyDelete