reading books that intimidate me (leaving my comfort zone *yikes*)

TL;DR

In this reading vlog, the content creator challenges herself to read books outside of her comfort zone and explores her insecurities and feelings of intimidation.

Transcript

hi everyone welcome back to another reading vlog this week i've made like a little pile of books for myself of books that kind of intimidate me that are very much outside of my comfort zone like kind of like classics literature that i just want to challenge myself to just read you know instead of just putting them off forever you know i love readin... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 Challenging oneself to read intimidating books can lead to personal growth and expanded reading preferences.
• 📔 The perception of certain books as "important" or "difficult" can create unnecessary intimidation.
• 📔 Enjoyment of a book can be independent of one's initial interest in the premise.
• ❓ Understanding and appreciation of different genres may require a shift in standards and expectations.
• 🫠 Reading slumps can be overcome by allowing oneself to read other enjoyable books in between intimidating reads.

Questions & Answers

Q: What causes the content creator to feel intimidated by certain books?

The content creator reveals that she feels intimidated by books that are outside of her comfort zone, particularly those that are considered "important" or fall into genres she rarely reads. She believes that she may not understand or enjoy them, leading to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt.

Q: How does the content creator's perception of books change throughout her reading challenge?

The content creator discovers that she can still enjoy non-genre fiction, such as "The Remains of the Day," despite not initially being interested in the premise. She also realizes that she prefers science fiction that focuses on exploring one concept in-depth rather than overwhelming her with complex world-building. Additionally, she learns to approach classic Russian literature like "Crime and Punishment" with a different mindset, appreciating it within its historical context.

Q: How does the content creator cope with her reading slump?

The content creator acknowledges that reading several intimidating books in a row can lead to a reading slump. To overcome this, she decides to give herself leeway and not pressure herself to finish the books quickly. She allows herself to read other books that she knows she'll enjoy in between chapters of the intimidating books.

Q: What insights does the content creator gain from this reading challenge?

The content creator learns that the premise of a book is not always essential for enjoyment, and execution plays a significant role. She also realizes that her preference for science fiction lies in more focused exploration of concepts rather than convoluted plots. Additionally, she discovers that different types of books require different standards for critique.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content creator selects a pile of books that intimidate her, including non-speculative literature, classic science fiction, and Russian literature.

• She begins reading "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro and reflects on her initial intimidation and how her perception of certain books has limited her reading choices.

• She also starts reading "Neuromancer" by William Gibson and expresses confusion and frustration with the complex sci-fi concepts, and finally, she delves into "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, acknowledging the slow pace but finding comfort in the story.