A New Reason to Read

Why do we read? Well, we read for any number of reasons. I've read books for pure entertainment, to pass time, out of cohersion (school), or to learn about something I was interested in. Last year, however, I discovered a new reason I like to read. In reading Tim Sanders' Love Is the Killer App, a book about love and how it relates to business, Sanders suggests that we read because it allows us to share the knowledge and insight we learn with others. It makes us a more interesting and relevant person when we can suggest ideas or books that help solve other people's problems.

Let me give one example of sharing book knowledge and the impact it had. I was looking for a graphic designer to do some work I needed done. I started to ask around and a friend suggested someone he knew who lived an hour north. My friend called and set up and appointment for me. In chatting with the graphic designer after our appointment, I discovered the designer was writing and illustrating a children's book. The meeting ended and we went our separate ways. I scheduled a second appointment with the designer a few weeks later. In between meetings I remembered a concept in a book called The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell that discussed the popular children's show Blue's Clues. The show had been wildly popular among small children and the author theorized the reasons behind the shows success. The show was so successful among children because it was easy for the children to understand. Children are different from adults. Children don't like shows with a lot of action, loud noises, surprises, and convoluted plots. Children are drawn to things they understand. That is why children can watch the same movie or request the same book hundreds of times over and never get bored. Blue's Clues has a very simple and easy to follow story line and the exact same show is repeated each day for the entire week. By the fourth or fifth showing the children start enthusiastically yelling the answers to the show.

I summarized a few of the book's relevant concepts for my designer friend and recommended the book--had I more money at the time I would have purchased him a copy. He was enthralled with the new concept. He couldn't thank me enough for the relevant information. When we are relevant to others--in this cases through my knowledge--we become more likable.

Reading for me has become a great quest for knowledge. It feels great to be able to read, understand, and help others by sharing the ideas and knowledge I've read. So, if you're ever looking for a new reason to read try reading a book that might help you help someone else.