You may judge a person more truly by the books and papers he reads than by the company he keeps, for his associates are in some measure imposed upon him; but his reading is usually the result of choice. The person who chooses a certain class of books and papers unconsciously becomes coloured in their views, rooted in their opinions, and the mind becomes trained to their way of thinking.
from The Golden Gems of Life, 1880
When a friend told me she only read Mills and Boon, my opinion of her changed, just by her revealing her reading habits I got an insight into this woman that I didn't know. She went on to tell me these books were just entertainment and fun to read. I didn't share my view of them with her as I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I thought they were just rubbish. I do agree that when you walk into a persons home and look at their bookcases or bedside table you can get a quick idea of their character by the books you see. It tells you their interests and hobbies, their political and social views and what they believe or don't believe. A lack of books tells quite a different story.
The same story goes with magazines, have you picked up one of the women's magazines lately-you couldn't call them informative?!? The only ones I occasional buy are the papercraft and cooking ones, and even those I haven't bought for a while as they are full of ads and becoming very expensive.
The same story goes with magazines, have you picked up one of the women's magazines lately-you couldn't call them informative?!? The only ones I occasional buy are the papercraft and cooking ones, and even those I haven't bought for a while as they are full of ads and becoming very expensive.
Not only can books root their views and opinions in your mind, they can stay trapped in your memory for years. When I was around sixteen I read "Flowers in the Attic" by Virginia Andrews. These are very disturbing novels (3 in the series) and I can still remember the horrible scenes laid out in great detail. Those people who live on a diet of Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter and other similar titles are being unconsciously coloured by the views expressed in these books even though they would probably deny it. What we read is very important and what we offer our children will determine their reading habits (to a point) in their older years.
It can be fun (when I catch a bus) to look at what people are reading as you see a diverse range of literature. Often the popular novels will dominate eg Dan Brown or Stieg Larsson (which is to be expected) but sometimes you get a surprise as I did one day at a training course when a young woman (at lunch time) pulled out her pocket Bible and sat reading it.
"...for his associates are in some measure imposed upon him; but his reading is usually the result of choice."
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth! (Especially in ministry, God sends many different types of people into our lives that we are called to love unconditionally!)
It is sad what people fill their minds with! True, noble and pure thoughts are what God has told us to think upon!Certainly what we read is what we will be thinking upon!
Back in the days when I had lots of leisure time it was mostly devoted to reading, and while I didn't mind an occasional Mills 'n' Boon romance when I was feeling lazy I used to read a wide variety of literature. Now, when I do get a chance to read something other than the latest school newsletter or one of my childrens assignments, I am a bit more particular about what I choose.
ReplyDeleteIt's very true that what goes in comes out (in some way) - and I think this goes for not only what we read, but also what we choose to watch (whether that be TV or DVDs or whatever).
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've EVER read the latest popular novels - I prefer to read older books or ones that I choose rather than books the "mob" choose as popular! I do like some light-hearted books, but they tend to be Christian novels, and I would probably read no more than 1-2 a year (if that!) now. As a teen I read a lot of Christian romance, and I still enjoy it on occasion; just don't have time for much reading at all these days! Now I mostly read Christian literature or ministry books that expound on the Scriptures either directly or topically.
So true!!!
ReplyDeleteI certainly do agree with your post.
ReplyDeleteI myself am very selective in what I choose to read and what I allow my daughter to read.
Very true! We are also very selective here in our reading!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am selective also... couldn't stand mills and boon even if you paid me lol. What dribble! I see them like the old Elvis movies... all the same story, just different locations and names ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are right Jo, you can tell a lot about a person by the books they have and what they read. Some books will also tell when someone needs prayer and deliverance ;)
The old saying is true... garbage in, garbage out.
Oh, I recall the Flowers in the Attic series was very popular. I read the first and like you found it way too dark.
ReplyDeleteOur book cases are filled with a variety of books but one genre you will not find is Mills and Boon!
There is one Mills and Boon book on my shelf. It is written by a Jeanne Grant (my maiden name), and the main characters have the same names as my sister and her hubby. I thought it was cute!
ReplyDeleteI must say, I've read a few in my youth, but not for a decade or two now!
I wonder what you would discern about me from my bookshelves...apart from the fact that I read alot!!
This is such a fantastic post. It is all true. And yes, whatever you read/see/hear stays with you. Funny, but I read the same book you mention as a teenager, and it stayed with me, too. It was actually very instrumental in pointing out for me why it is so important that we be careful what we put into our minds. And today's women's magazines? No thank you. Talk about trash! I absolutely believe that all that garbage influences your life and behaviour. I used to work with a bunch of women who did nothing but read trashy, glossy women's magazines... no books and nothing of value whatsoever... and it was all clearly mirrored in their clothing choices, their language, and their behaviour, never mind their morals. Absolutely it all matters. Finally, perhaps this is wrong, but when someone tells me she doesn't like to read, or I'm in a home with no books, I find myself judging that person and lowering her in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteStacey, I also worked with 3 women (one was the lady who read Mills and Boom) who read trashy magazines every lunch time and that was all they could talk about, the contents of those mags. Fortunately God took me out of that workplace and moved me to something much better where I am not surrounded by people who read this sort of thing. Sadly my trashy reading did last for a number of years longer than you, but them I woke up to myself and decided it was time for change.
ReplyDeleteGood to near from you.
Jeanne - Your bookcase would be full of interesting reading material I am sure- from what you have shared with us so far. Hey, I can't talk, I have some poor quality novels in mine. It can be hard to let go sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThere is one song going through my mind "be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear". Good post and my only twaddle reads are cooking magazines! xxx
ReplyDeleteWise thoughts, Jo! I wasted many a summer on teenage romance twaddle...I'd read 2 or 3 a day. I'm sure they were very "innocent" compared to many of today's versions, BUT, they encouraged a focus that wasn't healthy for a girl desiring to grow in godliness. I'm so thankful God moved me out of that and has given me wisdom as a mother to do things differently.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly here. I always tell my kids, "Garbage in, garbage out." I think this also applies to what they allow into their minds through the lyrics of the music they listen to. I have never intended to smother them, but as they are growing older I see that they are more selective and decide that some things are best left alone.
ReplyDelete