"読書について他人が他人に与えることができる唯一の助言は助言を受け入れず自分の本能に従い自分の理性を使い自分の結論に達することです"

When it comes to reading, the best advice might be to ignore all advice. It sounds counterintuitive, right? But think about it for a second. Reading is such a personal experience. What resonates with you might not resonate with me, and vice versa. It's all about diving into a book and allowing your own thoughts and emotions to guide you.

This idea isn't all that new. People have been talking about the subjective nature of reading for centuries. Even famous authors like Virginia Woolf believed that reading should be an intrinsic, personal journey. Woolf, in particular, was a fervent advocate for the freedom to explore literature without the constraints of external opinions. She lived during a time when society had very rigid ideas about what should be read and appreciated. Woolf, being the trailblazer she was, encouraged readers to break free from these norms and discover literature on their own terms.

Imagine you're at the bookstore. You're overwhelmed by the sheer number of books on the shelves. A friend recommends a bestseller that everyone's been raving about. You pick it up, but after a few chapters, it just doesn't click for you. Instead, you find yourself drawn to a quirky, lesser-known novel tucked away in a corner. The storyline captures your imagination, and you lose yourself in its pages. This is what Woolf was getting at. Just because something is popular or recommended doesn’t mean it will speak to you. Your instincts and preferences are valid and worth following.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own reading life? Start by trusting yourself. Next time you choose a book, listen to your gut. Feel like diving into a dense philosophical treatise? Go for it. In the mood for some light-hearted fantasy? Grab it. If something doesn't feel right, it's okay to put it down and try something else. Don’t feel pressured by lists of “must-reads” or someone else's literary taste. Your reading journey is yours alone.

Here’s a scenario to illustrate this concept. Picture this: Emily has always been told by her book club that classic novels are the pinnacle of good reading. So, every month, she picks up a classic and tries to get through it, but it feels like a chore. One day, while browsing the bookstore, she stumbles upon a graphic novel. It's colorful and vastly different from her usual reads, but something about it draws her in. She decides to give it a shot. To her surprise, she can’t put it down. Emily discovers a love for graphic novels and starts exploring other genres she was once hesitant about. She learns more about her own tastes and feels more confident in her choices.

In essence, the beauty of reading lies in its subjectivity. Don't let others dictate what you should or shouldn't read. Instead, dive into whatever catches your eye and see where it takes you. Your unique perspective is what makes the experience so enriching. Trust yourself, explore, and enjoy the adventure that reading has to offer.