"读书有两个动机：一是你喜欢它，二是你可以炫耀它。"

The idea behind the quote is pretty straightforward. When you pick up a book, you're usually driven by one of two things: either you genuinely enjoy reading it, or you're reading it so you can tell others you've read it. The first motive is about personal pleasure and discovery, while the second is more about social status or appearing cultured.

Now, let's dig into why someone might say this. Think about the history of literature and how people's relationships with books have evolved. In earlier centuries, books were rare and expensive, often available only to the wealthy and educated. Reading was a sign of status. Jump to today, and while books are more accessible, the idea of being well-read still carries a certain prestige. So, for some folks, saying they've read a particular book might be more about how they're perceived by others than about the joy of reading itself.

Let me give you a vivid example. Imagine you've got a friend named Sarah who's always talking about the latest literary prize winners. She goes on and on about how she's read every book on the Booker Prize shortlist. But then, you notice something. Whenever you ask her what she thought about the characters or the plot, she gives these vague, non-committal answers. It becomes clear that Sarah's motive is more about impressing others with her reading list than actually enjoying the stories. She's reading to boast, not for the love of it.

So, how can you take this wisdom and apply it to your own life? Think about why you're picking up a book. Are you genuinely interested in the subject, or are you trying to impress someone? Be honest with yourself. If it's the latter, you might not enjoy the book as much and could even end up resenting the time spent. Instead, choose books that captivate you, that make you lose track of time because you're so engrossed. This doesn't mean you can't challenge yourself with difficult reads, but make sure the challenge excites you rather than feeling like a chore.

Picture this scenario: You're at a coffee shop with a book club you've recently joined. The group's discussing a dense Russian novel that everyone's raving about. You picked it up because, well, everyone else was reading it. But every time you try to read it, your mind wanders, and you find yourself bored. One day, you decide to switch things up and pick a mystery novel you've been eyeing. You devour it in two days and can't wait to talk about it. At the next meeting, while the group dives into Russian literature, you share your enthusiasm for the mystery novel. To your surprise, a few members admit they also struggled with the assigned book and have been reading something else on the side. You all laugh and realize that reading should bring joy, not just check a box on a literary checklist.

In the end, remember that what matters most is your personal experience with the book. It's okay to read for fun, to escape, or to learn. Just make sure it's for you and not for the sake of appearances. After all, the best stories are the ones that stick with you because they spoke to your heart, not because they made you look good.