To a Non-Reader...

If you are the kind of person who, at the sight of a book, cringes and rears away…if you open a book and stare in confusion at all the letters and words printed on the page…if you scoff at those who always seem to have a book in their face and call them bookworms or nerds…this is a letter for you. Books are really nothing to be afraid of or avoid. They are mere pieces of cardboard and sheets of flimsy paper smooshed and glued together. And all those black letters and words are simply blotches of dried ink that, when put down together, form sentences and ideas. If it’s these sentences and ideas that are daunting to you, I assure you, there is nothing to worry about. Everything that is written down in these tree byproducts is familiar to you and often times, surprising as it may be, relatable. You see, all these ideas and sentences come from people, not unlike yourself, who imagine and create them for the flattering reason of sharing their thoughts with you and others. It truly is an honor and privilege to open an assemblage of paper and cardboard and know that what is printed on the pages is meant for your eyes. The wealth of information and knowledge on the pages should be inviting not intimidating. Imagine reading a book and coming away with understanding and wisdom you never expected; that is the value of being a reader. As for those bookworms and nerds, are they really that different? And for that matter, what’s so terrible about different? Do you, as a non-reader, want to live the rest of your life knowledge-less? Of course there are different types of knowledge, for simplicity—book smart and street smart. But how can you possibly deny yourself the versatile knowledge that only comes from reading the ink on those flimsy pieces of paper packed together between two pieces of equally impermanent cardboard? The things you gain from books can only improve your person. And, as I mentioned, books are a bit temporary—all that knowledge and information won’t stay there forever. Books are objects that don’t last for eternity. That is exactly why people like you must pick them up off shelves and tables, read them and hold onto their words and ideas in order to pass them along to others. By becoming a reader you can better yourself plus, casually help those around you—possibly the entire world! Books never limit your imagination. When you make the decision to become a reader and take on the world of books—one sentence and one idea at a time—the effects will be apparent almost instantaneously. No time is better than now to start reading. Think of the possibilities that await you! Best wishes from another reader.