Why Should I Be Reading Books I Hate? A Guide to Experimenting in Literature

By Chiara Hampton

You need only to walk into a library to know that literature is vast. Similarly, for every copy you recognize in a used bookshop, there will be twenty cracked tomes you’ve never heard of. For lovers of language and literature, this expanse may feel both exciting and tragic – so many books, so few hours in a day (or even in a lifetime). Every novel we read is a choice. Some might approach the creation of their life’s library by curating a list of classics or must-reads to choose from. Others will whimsically pick up whatever catches their eye, whether this be a new release or a gorgeous 19th century cover. In both cases, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of reading within a restricted pool of tastes or genres. There’s nothing inherently wrong with becoming a master of science fiction or modern feminist literature; in fact, understanding the ins and outs of a particular area will undoubtedly lead to greater appreciation (plus you can stand in front of that section of the bookshop and cheer internally at your knowledge of every title). Nevertheless, there is something to be said for choosing a book that does NOT appeal to you, however counterintuitive this might seem.

1) Empathy

Reading widely can (quite literally) make you a more empathetic person. You’ve almost certainly heard it said that literature exposes you to new perspectives. This is a horribly vague and obvious statement, but what it really means (in my view at least) is that literature focuses on the details. Novels or poems, for instance, are not like essays; they don’t shout arguments at you. Instead of outlining an outright political statement, a novel about the plight of wartime refugees is more likely to focus on an image, such as the sound of gunfire or a pounding heartbeat. Naturally, these elements help us identify with the experiences of the characters, but they have also been scientifically proven to improve emotional intelligence (just in case you didn’t already have enough reasons to love reading). A 2013 study revealed that people could better identify emotions in photos and situations after reading passages of literary fiction. This only provides more incentive to pick up a text by an author you’ve never heard of, especially if their background differs from yours. With every work you read, your ability to empathize grows.

2) Education

Although not everyone reads literature specifically for its educative value (course readings tend to cover that base), it can still be incredibly useful in filling in the gaps of formal learning. Selecting an unfamiliar work may unearth strange gems of knowledge you’d never have encountered otherwise. Think of the last work you read which told a story often excluded from the classroom. For me, Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North instantly comes to mind. World War II is a familiar topic for most students, but the novel’s depiction of Australian POWs on the Burma Railway may not be. It is impossible to study every culture, but literature enables us to catch glimpses of stories worth remembering.

3) Enjoyment

Paradoxically, joy can be found even in books we hate. It’s entirely possible that reading beyond your usual sphere will lead you to uncover works, or even whole genres, that you despise. Do not despair if this happens! Not only will you be presented with the perfect opportunity for a good rant, but you will be reminded of why you love your favorite styles. Finding a least favorite read can also serve as a benchmark of taste. You might hate The Catcher in the Rye now, but perhaps your future self will appreciate its portrait of adolescence. Think of books as time capsules holding a version of yourself.

Taking a leap of faith with your reading choices will more likely than not lead to the discovery of new favorites. Maybe you have a latent love of 17th century verse, just waiting to be discovered. Even if this passion fails to materialize, reading more diversely will help you become more empathetic and knowledgeable about any number of random topics. As groups of literature nerds who understand the importance of this, PublishED and LitSoc hosted a pub quiz to test your knowledge of classics, film adaptations, book covers and more. Look out for more bookish events coming your way in the future. Happy reading!