|
In the age of modern printing, hundreds of new books covering
almost every subject are printed and sold every year. However, not all books are
worthy of note. As Bacon observed, books can be categorized into three
categories: books to be tasted, books to be swallowed, and books to be chewed
and digested.
Books to be tasted only provide a sensation out of reading and
do not lead to further pursuit or attachment. Novels, dramas, short stories, and
newspaper articles fall under this category. These books are usually read for
pleasure, and many readers can forget the story after some time. They do not
provide any deep understanding of the subject matter.
Books to be swallowed are necessary to be read, but not for
pleasure. Blue books, treatises, law books, and various types of handbooks fall
under this category. These books are like medicine capsules that must be taken
as per the doctor's advice, and they may not provide any comfort or
companionship to the reader.
Books to be chewed and digested, on the other hand, are like
good food that must be assimilated into the body. These books include the great
classics, religious books, Shakespeare's dramas, and great poetry. They never
grow stale through the lapse of time and have sustained the culture. These books
can be read and re-read, and they have influenced the life and thoughts of
generations of people. They are universal and have been appreciated by readers
worldwide.
A wise reader would have chewed and digested such books, as they
are not confined to geographical borders and provide deep understanding of the
subject matter. These books are not only read, but they are also studied deeply
and analyzed to submit research papers or conduct further research.
In a library, all these categories of books have a place, and
they can serve the needs of different kinds of readers. Even a serious reader
may look for a book just to be tasted while traveling, and a discriminating
reader can choose the books according to their needs.
In conclusion, not all books are worthy of note, and books can
be categorized into three categories: books to be tasted, books to be swallowed,
and books to be chewed and digested. Books to be tasted only provide a sensation
out of reading, while books to be swallowed are necessary to be read, but not
for pleasure. Books to be chewed and digested, on the other hand, provide deep
understanding of the subject matter and have influenced the life and thoughts of
generations of people. In a library, all these categories of books have a place,
and they can serve the needs of different kinds of readers. |
