Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles W. Eliot
Reading is a habit that we all will do well to develop, and it is therefore easy to understand why most parents want their children to read more and more.
Read Here – How to Develop the Habit of Reading
What is also equally important, is that all of us, and our children, read a variety of books. We should try not to stick to a particular author or genre.
Read books from various parts of the world:
Reading fiction or non-fiction set in various parts of the world will give you an idea about the culture and society of people living in other countries. It helps you see different people and places in a new light.
Read books from different time periods:
Reading books from various time periods helps us build a much stronger understanding of how the cultures of different parts of the world have evolved over the decades or centuries. They help us understand why different cultures are the way they are today. A lot of things about how people behave today can be understood by understanding their past.
Read books from different genres:
It is possible that you or your children like fantasy books, but you must intersperse your reading with mystery, romance, contemporary fiction and non-fiction, instead of confining yourself to one genre only. It will help you and your children to develop a broader perspective of the world around. Reading genres not read before also helps to discover some interests that you did not know you had.
Reading a variety of books will not only increase your vocabulary, it will also help you increase your creativity, develop a deeper understanding of the world and the people, develop a wider perspective and increase knowledge.
Some books to consider:
The Spiral of Deception – A contemporary thriller, set in India with a female protagonist.
Harry Potter series – fantasy books about witches and wizards and coming of age of young
Mythologies like Mahabharata, or Greek Mythologies
Short Story collections by O Henry
Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.
― Cassandra Clare
The Intelligent Parent 