5 minutes
the joy of reading
Dr..
Kamal Abdul Malik
March 03, 2022
The hours before bed were among the most enjoyable childhood memories, as adults used to tell us stories full of magic and wonders, most of which were about “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” “Sinbad,” and “Aladdin and his Magic Lamp,” in addition to other tales from folklore. .
The best gift I received at the age of ten was a subscription card in the neighborhood library in Damietta, where we lived.
I used to go to the library and read the fairy tale books published by the Green Library, short stories by modern Egyptian writers, such as Mahmoud Taymour, and translations of American books that were given to us free of charge by the Franklin Publishing House.
We didn't have a TV.
Instead, we had a bookshelf in Arabic and French, and later in English.
Reading quickly became an interesting pastime, especially after late lunches, when the grown-ups are taking an afternoon nap.
Since then, the book has always been a companion and friend with whom I enjoy conversing.
Here I must point out that the view of the book as a companion exists in Arab as well as Western cultures:
“The book.. the best of companions.. the best of people is the hour of loneliness, and the best knowledge of foreign countries.” Al-Jahiz in “The Book of Animals.”
“The best companion of all time.” Al-Mutanabbi's book.
“There is no friend like a book.” Ernest Hemingway.
“Literature is my favorite space.
Because I find that I am not deprived of my rights.
A book is a friend who talks to me without embarrassment or embarrassment.” Helen Keeler.
“The Story of My Life”... (An American writer who was deprived of the blessing of sight, hearing, and speech).
“The more I read, the more things I knew.
The more you learn, the more places you go.” Dr. Seuss.
“I find television an educational tool that motivates reading, because every time my parents turn on the television I go to the other room and read a book.” Groucho Marx, (American comedian).
The book is our means to free ourselves from the constraints of time and space.
Let me clarify this idea.
If I asked you to tell me where you live, you might say, “I live in the United Arab Emirates,” or more specifically, “I live in Jumeirah,” and others might say in Los Angeles, or Paris, or Berlin, or wonderful Alexandria (my city).
But the more accurate answer is: "We live in our bodies."
As human beings we are subject to the constraints imposed on us by time and space.
We cannot be in two places at the same time, and we cannot live in two eras at the same time.
We live here and now.
A plane may take us to distant destinations, but a book can transport us through time and space with ease and at a much faster pace.
The book is the best way we have for tourism in the spaces of other cultures and times past.
Here you might ask me: “Where do I start?”.. You have to make a reading plan and participate in free reading, reading books on topics you like.. Use the public library near you - and read regularly..
Let me leave you with this beautiful definition of what reading literature is: Al-Jahiz says: “Literally, literature is the mind of others that you add to your mind.”
Researcher in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, USA