My plea for analogue reading: How a book can improve your life
The bad news: Life can be quite challenging at times.
The good news: You don't have to find all the ways and solutions yourself. There is a treasure trove of knowledge that you can access. The answer is often just a mouse click away.
That was my experience some time ago. Some of the keys on my laptop were stuck after I had spilt coffee on them - the classic case. I need the device to write a book - but the specialist workshop wanted 300 euros for the repair. That was definitely too much for a device that I had bought second-hand.
So I looked on the Internet and found a film in which someone explains how to loosen the buttons so that they can be cleaned easily. It was worth it. Now I can write fluently again.
Never before has so much information been so easily accessible. There is no comparison with the libraries of previous generations, to which only a select few had access. Before Gutenberg When the printing press was invented, it took up to three years to copy the text of the Bible by hand.
Today, we not only have printed books, but also vast amounts of digital information. We can now get DIY instructions, technical information and life advice on demand. You can read summarised knowledge in book summaries, watch how-to videos or download interesting articles as podcasts.
The advantage of a book
However, digital media - as pleasant as the quick search by mouse click often is - are no substitute for an analogue book. Experts agree: reading a book is more memorable!
According to Maryanne Wolf (Professor of Child Development and Cognition and literary scholar), the following happens to the brain when reading a book:
- Many interactive and complex processes run simultaneously
- We connect visual, linguistic, emotional and even motor areas in our brain
Wow!
There are also completely new studies that come to the conclusion that Reading can even change the structures in our brain.
That inspires me. And I like to use that to my advantage. Yes, I am a bookworm. Books are great. My list of the benefits of books is long. I would like to go into three of them today:
1. books give courage
Even if the abundance is sometimes overwhelming, books are still wonderful companions in life. I find inspiration from other people helpful. So I read biographies of men and women who have overcome similar and greater challenges: from Henry Ford, Johannes Gutenberg and Vanessa Kullmanna German entrepreneur. They encourage me: yes, it can be done.
2. teaching books
Last but not least, you learn about life by learning from other people. That's why we love films, novels and stories - because we can share in people's lives. We can understand their positive and negative developments and learn something from them ourselves. What they have learnt is revealed to us through our eyes as we watch or read.
3. books promote empathy
It is true that what we have experienced ourselves has a deeper impact on us than things we have only seen or read about. Nevertheless, we can also learn by observing. We can avoid some mistakes that real and fictional people have made. The more intensely and emotionally involved we are in a story, the greater the likelihood that the learning experience of the other person will also have an impact on our lives. In this way, deep reading also helps us to learn empathy: the thought processes that we need to empathise with the other person and develop compassion take place.
And quite apart from the practical benefits, it is simply wonderful to share in a life story and a world of experience.
I am a bookworm with a goal
I consciously choose what I read. For the specific "How do I tackle this in life", I read non-fiction books that deal with the topics I want to learn more about. Business and personal development, communication and relationships - depending on the phase of my life.
How can you find the right books for you?
- The following can help Book tips from friends be. People who are interested in similar topics are a good source of inspiration. My friends know me. They have an idea of what interests me - and let me know when they have discovered something exciting for me. I've often been recommended books in this way that have helped me move forward.
- Of course you can also in book portals search directly for keywords. Recommendations are also available from book portals that have learnt about the preferences of the respective customer over time if you order online frequently. This is usually useful, but can also be unintentionally funny. For example, an online bookseller recently told me that the book "Gebet. Schlicht + ergreifend" by a certain Kerstin Hack might interest me. I found that very amusing.
How can you integrate the benefits of reading into your everyday life?
My four tips:
Reserve reading time
The most beautiful and helpful books are of little use if you don't take the time to read them.
Experience shows that if you don't consciously reserve time, it often disappears. Suddenly the evening is over and you haven't done anything sensible with it, but are somehow stuck at the computer, rummaging around here and there. It can be useful to reserve certain reading times for yourself.
Prioritise reading time
In my current Inspiration mail I have reported: Every now and then it happens to me that I get stuck on social media in the evening when I'm tired. And suddenly two hours have gone by and I'm completely confused by the variety and even more exhausted than before. I feel completely different when I'm reading a real book. What a pity ...
Many mobile phones have the "Screen time" option, which allows you to set time-outs from your device and manage other settings. This allows you to block apps and notifications for a certain period of time. This can help if you want to reserve time for reading analogue books or generally have better control over your time online.
Organise reading time
And with a tasty drink and some nice snacks. You can also do this together with people you like and with whom you can talk about the treasures you have discovered while reading.
Reading time as a ritual
For many people, there is hardly anything better than reading a good book on the balcony in summer or in the bathtub in winter or at any time of year in the evening before going to sleep. Or listening to an audio book in a cosy armchair or on the go. You can forget your worries, big and small, and completely immerse yourself in another world.
It's pure pleasure - and fortunately that's also part of life.
Desire to read
By the end of this blog post, I hope that you have really felt like switching off your mobile phone, tablet or PC and putting it down to pick up a book instead. Because - as valuable as I hope this post may be for you - we are holding firm: Digital reading is not the same as analogue reading.
If you don't have a book that suits your situation right now, then go to a bookshop again (or if there isn't one nearby online) and find a nice, interesting book.
In line with the current topic from our ????????????????????-???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???? + ???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I write a weekly newsletter and blog post. All our books, quadros and courses are based on the concept. The current one belongs to the life element Reflection & Gratitude.
Of course, as an author, I also have books for you from my Treasure chest.
I wrote the book for all those who have lost their inner vitality due to difficult times, such as disappointments, losses or even "just" two years of corona, and who want more joy and lightness again. The book contains many of my personal stories and shows how to do it.
Cast off. How I built a houseboat in the centre of Berlin to live my dream.
For all those who love exciting stories and love reading about experiences that can only be described as miracles. And who would like to take courage for their own dreams. The book is also a wonderful gift.
What I have learnt about life in five years, three months and eight days.
A full-colour, beautifully illustrated book, actually a coffee table book. About everything that makes life rich and beautiful. With stories and practical tips. Also a high-quality gift.
Have you ever been or are you disappointed in God or do you know people who are? The illustrated book contains honest, comforting texts and beautiful pictures and costs only 10 euros. Please note: We only have about 100 copies left - hurry if you want some.
Coming home to God's fatherly love
I often cried while translating this book, I was so moved by the words and stories. It is ideal for anyone who wants the knowledge of God's love to slip from their head into their heart.
My tip:
The best thing is that we give you a discount on many books.
There are bulk prices. This means that the books are cheaper if you buy several of them, e.g. as a gift. Spring, for example, costs 12.80, but if you buy five, you get them for 8.80 each.
If you would rather surprise yourself, you can also order a surprise box of books. Then you will receive books worth 120 euros and only pay 90 euros.
The surprise box is available in two versions:
I hope that you have discovered one or two books that are just right for you or your loved ones. My team and I are looking forward to packing your parcel.
I wish you an inspiring day
From the heart
Your Kerstin Hack
