READING does good to all irrespective of age, gender, colour, creed or religion. Like children, adults too need to get into the reading habit.

Reading encourages thinking, nourishes the soul and enriches lives. It stimulates the right side of the brain.

Reading doesn't cost anything. It's a frugal habit. One need not spend much to buy books. They can be easily obtained at public libraries, shops that rent out for a minimal fee or from second-hand bookshops.

To borrow Mark Twain's words, "The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."

Reading is a way of life. Many complain of not having time to read. Skimming, scanning and speed-reading can be easily applied.

By doing this, at least some form of reading takes place. Scan for nouns and verbs instead of reading word for word. The text can be broken into smaller chunks. Read at your own pace for pleasure. Reading is an exercise. It is a hobby that allows you to travel the world of your imagination and provokes your emotional responses.

Sometimes it makes you laugh, shed a tear or two, keeps you on the edge of your seat, makes you blush, challenges your beliefs and boggles your mind.

As Malaysians, we should get into the reading habit.

Reading makes a man. Socrates once said, "The only good is knowledge and one evil is ignorance."

SURAJNAIDU Via e-mail