The Reading Life

The Reading Life is a small book with big ideas. It’s a wonderfully curated collection of essays by C.S. Lewis detailing his love of books and reading - from their physical qualities to the philosophical, theological, and emotional thoughts evoked from reading them. He shares his thoughts on rereading books, the value of fairy tales, and reflects on his life as a young student.

"It has always therefore been one of my main endeavours as a teacher to persuade the young that firsthand knowledge is not only more worth acquiring than secondhand knowledge but is usually much easier and more delightful to acquire.", writes Lewis regarding the case for reading old books.

This book itself offers a good example of something that should be reread often. It’s something that shouldn’t be read in a single session but sparingly consumed in sips to be savored and digested over time. When finished, it should live on a coffee table or some other place easily at hand, for the essays are short, easily consumed and worth a few moments of reflection.

I want to thank the YouTube creator, Randy Ray - The Literate Texan for recommending this book.