Like Reading a Book - Gert Scholtz - South Africa

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~10 ·

Blogging

Gert blog

Like Reading a Book

There is a quick way I find out more about a person. I go to their bookshelf or in some cases, their library and look at what they read. A five minute glance around their shelves tells me what they are interested in, curious about, and gives a glimpse of what they think about. Well, that’s to my mind at least, and as they say, it’s my theory and I stick to it.

My study is filled with books. Wall to wall shelves with treasured reads collected over time. Every few months I scour the volumes and take away a few considered not so great and which I will not want to read again. In a process of book evolution what is left are my picks as distilled by time and regular book culling (not really, I donate these to charity).

I find it immersive to stand in front of the rows, randomly pick up a tome and scan or read. I still get a flicker of excitement whenever I open a new book, and I also like to dip again and again in the volumes I've already read. Behind each cover there are other minds, worlds, ideas and experiences to explore.

Books transform, mind and heart. Not each and every read. Reading sometimes changes our views, sometimes changes us. Many times we lose ourselves in what we read, only to find a different self. Books fill crevices in the heart and answers questions of the mind. We begin a read and take bits of it in and little by little build ourselves into someone else. A better self sometimes. A more informed self often.

I like the feel of a book in my hands, the weight in my palms, seeing the cover design, even the smell of a book makes me happy. I prefer old-fashioned hardcover. Tablets and screen reading is a blunt experience. A book is real, tangible and timeless. Bookshops are a delight to the senses and a haven of discovery.

My non-fiction interests revolve around evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, the art of writing, and behavioral economics. Fiction works include adventure stories set in Africa (of course!) to one or two classics. A few of my picks:

Non-Fiction: Managing the Human Animal – Nigel Nicholson, Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman, Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond, Irrationality – Stuart Sutherland, Ideas – Peter Watson, Imagine – Jonah Lehrer (although discredited as a writer, an engrossing read), Release the Bats – DBC Pierre (my best one on the art of writing), The Shallows – Nicholas Carr (how the internet changes thinking), Incognito – David Eagleman and Sapiens – Yuval Harari

Fiction: When the Lion Feeds – Wilbur Smith (my first novel, I guess), The Social Animal – David Brooks (simply terrific), The Godfather – Mario Puzo, Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy (not quite finished but getting there), Bill Bryson – Down Under (a humorist that writes extremely well), Disgrace – JM Coetzee (a dark and heavy story), Jock of the Bushveld – Percy Fitzpatrick (Jock is a dog, not the other jock), Tom Wolfe – Bonfire of the Vanities and She – Rider Haggard.

Mark Twain said: “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” But let me remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his are not original after all.”

Like reading a book I have disclosed parts of my shelves.

I continue to select, read, keep, discard, enjoy and learn.

#Human Animal #Africa #Jock #Book #Nigel Nicholson

Comments

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #51

#79
Nick Mlatchkov Well then, I hope to do a marathon on beBee! Thanks for the comment Nick..

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #50

#78
Yogesh Sukal I do enjoy the deep dive into thoughts as you state it, Yogesh. Thanks for the comment the great thought that "life is a library within a library."

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #49

Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee Thank you for sharing this post of almost a year ago - much appreciated.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #48

Ahh, books. In acquiring my apartment, it was necessary to have a room for them. Of course, most of my picks meandered around my mother's tastes. (She couldn't get out to buy books.) But I have many I treasure. I like your picks. I've never read them. Time for more eye candy.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #47

Harley King Thank you for sharing this post Harley. Mario Puzo wrote a few other books and sequels - but I think The Godfather was his best. Will look into Goodreads.com - thanks for the reference.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #46

Harley King I thought to tag you on this older post of mine after reading your article on your best reads of the year.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #45

Just came across this link and thought you might find it of interest Gert Scholtz. http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20160819-the-secret-libraries-of-history?ocid=fbcul

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #44

#63
Thank you again, Gert. You are one of the kindest beBee bees. -) I forgot to mention what I am reading now: Entropy-A New World View by Jeremy Rifkin, and Conversations with Goethe by J.P. Eckermann.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #43

Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic Like you I also like to read books about books, and about writing. Bought or borrowed. Thank you for reading and for your friendly words Lada.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #42

Dean Owen Liar's Poker is a classic, especially if like the both of us, one works in the finance sector. I find Wolfe's writing unique in his portrayal of characters and context. Thanks for stopping by Dean.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #41

Sandra Smith Thank you for the friendly comment Sandra and what a pleasant surprise to find another who likes Disgrace by JM Coetzee.

Dean Owen

7 years ago #40

I didn't like Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire". I just find not many people can write about Wall St unless they have been through it (like Michael Lewis has). But for books in that sphere I highly recommend Liar's Poker, The Predators Ball, Den of Thieves, Flash Boys, Vendetta: American Express and the Smearing of Edmond Safra. For fiction, I am addicted to Anne Rice.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #39

#57
Mohammed Sultan Quite true - one cannot judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes. Better to scan some parts, look at the content pages and read the cover flaps to get and idea of it. And never confuse public relations with family relations :) Thanks Mohammed.

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #38

Great topic, Gert, and nicely written post! Love to read books but also read about books. I have many books but unfortunately not enough space for shelves. We live in a small apartment and many of my books are stored in the boxes. Therefore I decided several years ago to buy only the necessary technical literature. Other books that interest me I borrow from the library, usually 1-3 books per month. Bought or borrowed, books can open our minds and hearts.

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #37

Great topic, Gert, and nicely written post! Love to read books but also read about books. I have many books but unfortunately not enough space for shelves. We live in a small apartment and many of my books are stored in the boxes. Therefore I decided several years ago to by only the necessary technical literature. Other books that interest me I borrow from the library, usually 1-3 books per month. Bought or borrowed, books can open our minds and hearts.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #36

Ken Boddie Thank you for adding to the post with your extensive comments. I appreciate your stopping by. Happy reading!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #35

#52
Ian Weinberg Dankie Ian. Ek sal so maak - solank ek nie n met "Freudian slip" lees nie !

Ian Weinberg

7 years ago #34

#45
Nee Gert, hy gaan vinnig. Jy moet net a bietjie minder slaap!

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #33

Thanks for the tour of your library Gert. I fully subscribe to the idea that in order to better know a person, check out their library. All of the truly interesting people I have met in life were readers, who would bring in such wonderful perspectives gleaned from their reading. I can't say I've had the same stimulating conversations with those who only use media (esp. television) to form their worldview. I shared some of my library in previous posts, I would hope that more Bees would follow.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #32

Read me read my books! I love it, Gert. Like you I have a large collection of books on a variety of subjects but, unlike you, my 'culling' capabilities are poor, except for the odd "How to ...." hurriedly snatched from a charity book sale which I eventually twigged that I would never read. By the way, I would be wary of sniffing books for too long, as the spine glue may 'beam you up', unbeknownst, to a whole new psychedelic world of literature. 😍

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #31

#39
That is a great way of approaching cultivation of reading. To sit with an author over a longer frame and allow their world to work on me is definitely a different kind of speed. A neither spend hours with a book nor do I spend hours in a gym. It is inspiring to hear the perspective of life-long readers and I look forward to an appreciation of cultivating a different relationship with time and the gifts that arise through engendering a love for reading books.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #30

#44
Adam Read I understand your preference for kinaesthetic learning as opposed to literary reading. I really like your expressions around the “architecture of thought in a book” and the questions authors ask. Thanks for reading and commenting Adam.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #29

#43
Ian Weinberg Thanks Ian. After our meeting on my interview with you, I bought a copy of Irving Stone’s Passions of the Mind at a second hand bookstore. What a tomb! I think I will finish it in about ten-fifteen years :)

Ian Weinberg

7 years ago #28

Always enlightening Gert Scholtz Dankie al weer Gert.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #27

#34
Ali Anani Thank you Ali for your welcome acknowledgement and share. Having your creative mind present on the post is a big “bookmark” to me.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #26

#34
Ali Anani Thank you Ali for your welcome acknowledgement and share of the post. Having your creative mind present on the post is a big “bookmark” to me.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #25

Thanks for the suggestions Gert Scholtz! I have 2 rooms filled with all the books I've read over the years. They are part of my history. My shelf also contains non-fiction and fiction.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #24

#33
CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit I think the absorption of information is different when reading online compared to book reading. Online might be faster and more varied at a point in time whereas books are a slower and dedicated intake. Both are good mediums for gaining knowledge. These are my observations – it might well be very different across a spectrum of people. Thanks always for reading and commenting Manjit.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #23

#29
Sara Jacobovici As far as I can see there already are at least two book hives on beBee. In view of the depth and wisdom of your posts, I would be very interested in what your top books are? Perhaps in a future post? Thank you Sara for adding your insight to the post!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #22

#24
Walden is one of those books I have always wanted to read and never get to. Maybe I can borrow your 30 year old copy. A very precious tomb surely.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #21

#25
I wonder if you have ever read the works of Carlos Castenada. If not you might enjoy his experience and teachings in Shamanism. I agree with you to be careful with what you feed your mind in reading and that books are not always accurate. Thanks for reading and commenting Max.

Ali Anani

7 years ago #20

Thank you Gert Scholtz. That your buzz invited for this enriching dialogue is a great testimony to you and you merit it. Shared

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #19

#32
Dear Sara [ Sara Jacobovici ] for me harsh is when we set a low bar, but when it comes to reading books, that is a high bar for me and it is better to keep on failing than not to try at all. It will be great when I finally cultivate a way of life that includes reading books. Before I discovered the Internet in 1998, I had read a handful of books, starting with the book Flow but hardly any reading of note - simply enjoying reading online has been a good thing, but life will be infinitely more when I get the book habit,

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #18

#31
Let's not be too harsh on ourselves CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit. It is a sensory thing, not better or worse in terms of being a better human being. The most important thing is that our environment continues to support all our sensory needs and for us to be aware of what those needs are. If for any reason a need can't be met one way, we can always rely on our creative ability to adapt.

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #17

The single greatest area of failure in my life is my inability to sit with a book. I can consume digital media by the tonne yet still have not managed to break my way into books. I even tried reading a book of HBR articles around Disruptive Innovation this week. This book features 12 articles that have been published on HBR. I am more likely to click on links and read these online, than I am when holding a book. I even created a hive for books I obtain from the public library and it is still work-in-progress. The only thing I can do is keep on trying and failing - but if I ever get the habit, it will be a major contributor to my growth as a human being - and there is plenty of ways that I can still develop as a human being - aided by developing a taste for books. Who knows this may be the year I finally get into the book reading habit.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #16

Gert Scholtz writes, "Books transform, mind and heart."

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #15

Great post Gert Scholtz, well written and a pleasure to read! I agree and relate and I also enjoyed reading the comments of your readers. Only a few words that I found myself not quite "there" with; you write, "...little by little build ourselves into someone else..." I more than appreciate the transformative and expansive potential of books. And there are parts of me I allow to be changed as part of my experience of reading a book, but....I don't relate to the experience of a book building me into someone else.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #14

#4
Great reference Julio Angel Lopez Lopez to start a Book Hive, the English version to yours Julio.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #13

#19
Pat \ud83d\udc1d Bagano There are many Bees like you and I who are fascinated by the printed story! Collect again Pat and thanks.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #12

#18
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich Thanks so much for these recommendations Deb - I think I will be off to the bookstore tomorrow for Varty and Shriver.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #11

#17
Pascal Derrien Would really like to hear sometime what you read Pascal - given your excellent writing.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #10

#16
Aleta Curry Do unpack those books soon Aleta and thanks for visiting from the country.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #9

We have just added another book shelf ourselves in our house to cater for our needs, probably a generational thingie too because I cannot read a book electronically I cannot relate to a story if I don't have a tactile relationship with the paper, I can read articles alright on line but cannot imagine myself reading more than 10 pages I lose track if it s not a ''real'' book. Great authors great taste Gert Scholtz

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #8

#13
Neat stacks everywhere and a continual need to be around books - just the way I like it too! Thanks for reading Robin - I am sure your 20 years of book sales gave you a close up view of the industry.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #7

#13
Neat stacks everywhere and a continual need to around books - just the way I like it too! Thanks for reading Robin - I am sure your 20 years of book sales gave you a close view of the industry and what sells.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #6

#10
debasish majumder Only a wordsmith like you can state is so vividly: books are the species which is truly engendered in this digital world. Thank you for reading this "book" post.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #5

#9
Tausif Mundrawala A good book becomes part of you and then parting with it is like losing a bit of yourself. Thanks Tausif for your encouraging comment.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #4

#3
debasish majumder Thank you for saying so Debasish - good to have you reading on my reading!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #3

#1
True - experience can be augmented by reading about it from others. Thank you Preston for the comment and the share.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #2

#2
Aurorasa Sima Hack their tablets or screen their screen :) Thanks for the share and comments.

Julio Angel 🐝Lopez Lopez

7 years ago #1

Great article Gert Scholtz The importance of reading books https://www.bebee.com/producer/@julio-angel-lopez-lopez/farenheit-451

Articles from Gert Scholtz

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5 years ago · 1 min. reading time

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