Why I read

1) The number one reason I read is for entertainment. But I don't usually read novels; normally it is online articles about sports.

2) School. I'll be honest, most of the reading I do aside from online articles is for school. I have to read a lot this semester, which occupies a lot of time.

3) To keep my brain from turning to mush. I feel like reading is a great way to stay sharp in the brain. Forcing the mind to comprehend words and think about them increases thinking ability and comprehension.

Francesca says she and Paolo read to pass the time away. I think that is a noble cause for reading. Of course their reading led them to other things, but they read to occupy their minds.

Our motivation for reading has a big effect on what we get out of reading. For example, a lot of my reading is done for school. When I sit down and open a book, my mindset is not usually positive and looking to enlighten my mind. Usually I have an attitude of "let's just get this over with." I think by having that attitude going in, there are a lot of things that I miss when reading. Especially with some of the books we have read in this class. They are some of the great classics of our time. Although my attitude sometimes shifts after I get into the book, I start out with a negative view and my mind isn't completely open to what I am reading.

I think reading at all is good. There are obviously more noble reasons for reading and more one can get out by having a good motivation, but engaging the mind with words will benefit anyone.