Every Book—A Glimpse into Someone's Mind

DAY 024 - 26/24/1 -

Throughout my school days teachers often told me, "Every book has something to teach you." I did not believe them until I started to write my own stories. That's when I saw how much I was affected by all the books I read.

Whether a book was enjoyable or aggravating, I always learned at least one thing from its pages. Some books taught me the importance of making wise decisions; that it's better to be honest than to cover up mistakes. Other books taught me about the nobility of heroes; their worthy struggles to stay righteous in broken and desperate worlds. There were also books that taught me about disappointment; that not every glitzy story maintains its promising adventure. Yes, there is a lot to learn from every book, and there is a good reason why that is. That reason can be found on its spine.

On a book's spine there are always two things: A title and an author. The title is the name of the book. The author is the person who wrote it. No two people write the same way, because everyone thinks in their own unique style. That's the magic of books. They are glimpses into other people's minds.

Based on this, a book's spine is akin to someone saying, "Let me give you a piece of my mind." The author's name is who is giving a piece, and the title is what piece they are giving. It's intriguing to take a peek; to see whether someone else considers things the same way you do. Plus, it can also be encouraging to read one's own thoughts coming from someone who lived 50 years ago; even 100 years or 1,000. One never knows what knowledge they'll find in someone else's head.

Humans spend their days inside their own minds. Books, however, let us walk around with someone else's worldview for a change, and that little journey has a surprising effect.

That is why teachers say, "Every book has something to teach you."

It's the same reason they say, "Every person knows something you don't."