11. - "A Book Is More Than That"

An American philosopher named Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.". It is a common belief that reading books is a way to expand one's knowledge. I am not saying that this is untrue. I am saying that a book is more than that. A book is more than a tool to absorb information because it is a work of art, it offers an escape from reality and it is a very good tool to motivate.


Just like every masterpiece, creating a book takes time. It takes months, maybe even years, to publish a book. A book is a work of art. It contains intricate stanzas and paragraphs. It is appealing. It is beautifully crafted.


Have you ever experienced a bad day and just sat down to read a book? It's as if reading a book somehow makes you forget your problems. Reading a book helps you detach yourself from ordinary business and stressful thoughts. It even saves you from boredom. It takes you on an adventure that is out of this world. A book offers an escape from reality.


Most importantly, a book is a very good tool to motivate. It gives us a reason to act a certain way. For example, you just read about the death of one of your favorite characters. This leaves you acting glum for the rest of the day. It sometimes leaves us feeling the want to achieve something. A book can even awaken a nation and lead it to revolt. Recall how the Filipinos reacted towards Dr. Jose Rizal's work. His books awakened the Filipino spirit and inspired them to fight for their country.


Therefore, we can say that a book is not just a mere tool used to absorb information. It is a work of art. It offers an escape from reality. It is a tool to motivate.