A Few Remarks On Reading

As a boy my parents encouraged me to read. Without such encouragement, television, video games, and other distractions are apt to keep a young person away from the riches found in a good book. My sixth grade teacher took a special interest in me. Mr. Hess would often have me stand before my classmates and read aloud a book that he had chosen. Little did I realize at the time that he was both instilling in me a greater love for books and helping to develop the skill of reading publicly. This has served me as well as any class I ever took. My uncle who has been preaching for many years has always been a lover of books. I remember as a young man walking into his library and being enthralled with the massive collection of both new and old books. Through the years he has constantly challenged me by his example not just to buy books but to read them.

For 20 years I served under the ministry of a man who was a voracious reader. Pastor Clarence Sexton recommended more good books to me than anyone else (You can find his recommended reading list here). He was always reading, always digging. That was a source of inspiration to me to not be content with what I have learned. Early on, I made the mistake of buying books just to buy them. I have learned that it is not the size of the library that matters, but the careful, well-chosen one. Reading has become a favorite pastime and one of the means of keeping my own soul fresh.

The Decline of Reading in America

Not everyone shares my love for reading. In fact, some recent studies reveal how far our country has fallen in this area. In 2025, 40% of Americans did not read even one book! Another 27% only read 1 to 4 books. The average American only reads two books a year. These are sobering statistics.

There are a variety of reasons for why Americans do not read as much. One of the primary reasons is that time spent reading has been replaced with time spent on smartphones, social media, and streaming services. There are a limited number of hours each day, and these distractions compete directly with reading time. Another reason for the decline is the deteriorating of our attention spans. Constant digital engagement has shortened our average attention spans, making sustained focus on books difficult. Our minds wander, or we find ourselves checking our phones for the latest updates from our friends and family.

Restore the Habit of Reading

The best way to start reading is to simply start! Develop the habit of reading. Find one book. Ask someone you trust for a recommendation and begin there. Start reading, and read a little every day. Even ten minutes carved out of the day for reading a good book is a powerful influence in a person’s life.

Where should you begin? With the surge in internet resources and ebooks it can be overwhelming to wade through the number of books on the market. Many college students have no doubt taken as their life verse, “Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). It should be remembered that books are tools, resources available to aid us in our journey. May I offer a few remarks about reading which have been a great help to me…

1.  Never allow reading books, no matter how good, to distract you from a daily time of reading the Scriptures.

There is no substitute for the Bible and the Bible should not be read like any other book.  When the Apostle Paul was about to die he sent for Timothy. In 2 Timothy 4:13 he requested that Timothy bring three things with him. He asked for his cloke (something for his body). He asked for his books (something for his soul). It has always intrigued me that a man nearing the end of his journey still wanted to read and study. But finally, he asked for the parchments – “especially the parchments” (something for his spirit). The books were important but the Word of God was paramount.

2.  Measure every book by the Word of God.

Do not accept everything as truth simply because it is in print.

3.  Ask God to help you discern which books to read ponderingly, which ones to breeze through, and which ones not to read at all.

4.  Keep books accessible wherever you are so that you can read whenever you have a few free moments.

5.  Look for the great emphases of each book.  Glean all you can.

6.  Read with a pen in hand.

Mark great truths and jot down thoughts that come to your mind as you read.

7.  Read books on a variety of subjects.

Be as broad as possible.  Remember, there is a difference between reading for hobby and reading for help.  Avoid the temptation to only read about the subjects that you enjoy.

8.  Read several books at one time and you will likely read more.

9.  Learn authors

Who to read, who to read carefully, who not to read.

10.  Read old books and new books.

Do not discount the benefit of either but remember that dead authors do not change their positions.

11.  Ask others to recommend good books to you.

Just because it is their favorite book does not mean it will be yours but it will save you a lot of time and money.

12.  Read books that really speak to you again and again.

13.  Learn to enjoy reading by simply doing it.

14.  Be careful about giving a wholesale recommendation  of a book or author.

Remember that authors may be strong on one subject but weak on another.

15.  Make a list of good books or authors on frequently studied subjects.

16.  Put your name in the front of your books and keep up with them.

17.  Write down when you loan a book and be sure to get it back.

18.  Catalog your books for easy reference.

Keep them organized and you will always know where to find them.

19.  Keep a list of books you want to get when you can.

20.  Take care of the books you have.

Be a good steward and you may be able to pass them on to others someday.

My Personal Recommendations for Reading

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a series of articles on five different books to read on a variety of topics. Those list can be found here.

Never stop reading! “…give attendance to reading…” (1 Timothy 4:13).

 

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About Scott Pauley