Today’s short discussion is about challenging reads. Challenging reads are those books that are not meant to be easy to read.

The most challenging book I have ever read was Homer’s The Iliad and the Odyssey. Yes, The Iliad and The Odyssey beat out Lord of the Rings, and some Shakespeare for the most challenging book I have ever read. It was not easy to read at all, and I took my time reading it. Reading books that challenge you is important because those books help you grow as a reader. I would also consider The Iliad and the Odyssey outside of my comfort zone. I know that it’s easy to stay inside of your comfort zone when it comes to books, but by staying inside of your comfort zone, you really aren’t helping yourself grow and develop as a reader. I’m sure somewhere down the line, I will come across a book that was just as challenging or more challenging to read than The Iliad and the Odyssey, and it will be a challenge that I welcome.