A Good Book Will Show You Things About Yourself
Have you ever read a book that spoke to you so much that you had to set it down in order to process what you read?
When I read something that really hits for me I literally do just that.
Books are mirrors. When I'm reading, oftentimes, the words on the pages are reflecting something back at me.
Books reflect:
- my fears
- my questions
- things I already knew intuitively
To really make reading even more meaningful I try to process what I've read and I do this within my journal.
You Don’t Have to Read Analytically to Do This
Just so we're on the same page, this creative journaling practice isn't about breaking down required reading like we're back in school. The goal of this practice is to have a conversation with yourself. Essentially the book is the conversation starter.
How I Journal and Read
My practice is simple. I pretty much read until something stops me. This can be a sentence, an image, a question the author, etc. Anything that evokes a feeling within me. When that feeling is evoked I set the book down and write.
Again, not in a way of a book report. Since my journal is for ME the book is sparking an inner question for ME. So I'm not necessarily journaling about the book but what the book brings up inside of me.
I'll write the answer to questions like:
What did that stir up in me?
What does this remind me of?
These two questions can be applied to any genre too. Note: this isn't just for serious books you can do this with any genre.
The Book I'm Currently Reading
I am always more drawn to books that do not hand me conclusions. I like books that make me introspect. I'm currently reading Reflections, Confessions, & Other words by Johnathan Nathaniel Johnson. It's 'a contemporary work of prose and poetry that moves through the self, society, and
the inner workings of the soul and mind.'
My brother wrote this one & this is the kind of book that works beautifully with the prompts above. Read a section, journal your
response, come back. Let yourself be in conversation with it. That slow intentional way of reading is a creative practice all on its own.
Final Thoughts
As a reminder, your me time is not selfish. It is necessary. And an afternoon with a book like this and an open journal?!
That is it. That is the whole thing.
Ready to read and journal?
Grab this book for your library:
Reflections, Confessions & Other Words
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