Reading and contemplating makes us something more than just humans. It gives us affirmative tools to configure our minds for the best. The term neuroplasticity which is going around quite a lot these days tells us that we change our brain consciously and unconsciously every moment. Now that you know you are capable of doing so it empowers you with the possibility of shaping your mind to be your best friend.

For this, one needs to realise that all that we see, hear and do throughout the day consciously or unconsciously constitutes the input into the brain which eventually brings similar output. 

You see, it is all about the input. 

Reading is a major nourishment for the brain. So what you try to wrap your head around - a psychological thriller, a romantic tragedy , a feel-good ol' children's short story or non- fiction of different categories, all influence you in a way you don't even realise. 

I like calling poets and writers potters. They have the power to shape ideas and perspectives not only in their heads but also in the minds of people who read and admire their works. They provide us with this rare feeling of sheer delight when we read and understand something deep and moving, making us knock the hidden quarters of our casual awareness.

You see , books written keeping in sight the need of the civilisation as a whole inspired and influenced people for ages.

Our mind is like clay and the ideas and influences we pick from here and there is the potter's barn. The source of knowledge, nowadays, is mostly the the social network, where made-up information goes around as facts.

The input, you see, is important.

The time you spend on learning and knowing never goes to waste as long as you are learning the right kind of thing. So, evaluate how whatever you pick up to read will mould you into a better person instead of filling your head with a junk load of twisted tales. 

Broaden your perspective of life and its ways by reading works of scholars who have known life closely and embraced it instead of giving up on it. 

Life , you see , is built in a limited time frame. Know that you have to make the most of it. Works of  people who have known life and its ways  save you from its incessant trails and errors.

Enquire into the nature of life more than anything else because, that is what all of us are wondering about unconsciously.

Anything and everything that you come across,  ponder upon this one question "Who am I ?" and see if any of these books give you the answer. If not then you are not reading right.