Discovering Books :: essays research papers

Richard Selzer / Discuss how reading books changes my lifeRichard Wright, in his essay Discovering Books, explains how reading books changed his prognosis on life and eventually his life itself. The first book that widened his horizons was an overtly controversial book by H. L. Mencken. I arouse a story non so dissimilar from his.Coming out of High School, I had in my possession the perspective that I knew everything. So I started, straight off the bat, working(a) in a variety of menial jobs, which would have lead me to a dead end, for as the good jobs in todays society requisite college degrees. So, after working for two years with a white-collar full of frust confine, I decided it was time to take matters into my own ink-stained, carpal tunnel syndrome-stricken hands. I immediately gave my two- weeks notice, and pontificated about going to college. Headed along the yellow brick road towards the registration office, I was intercepted by my malevolent manager, the Ineffable Joh n as he was called by my fellow co-workers, and he said unto me, Michael, you dont want to go to college, stay here and you shall have bestowed upon your unworthy head all which you need to know. Here, ingurgitate up my coffee cup. With his words still echoing in my mind, I wanted to sprint down the hallway, pole-vault over the cubicle prisons, hurdle the water ration cooler, and dive through the double-paned sliding glass doors. This spectacular display of athletic ability would have been terrific, but the ball and chain still shackled to my ankles would have slightly hindered my escape.One week after my pre-resignation notice and Johns wise words of discouragement, my managers secretary, Mary, who just had a baby earlier that day but wouldnt take unpaid sick leave, approached me and said, Dont listen to John, college is a sure ticket to get out of this galley, other youll end up having a baby and coming to work on the same day because this company doesnt provide maternity leave. A week later I was walking out the double-paned sliding glass doors and into college life.In the counselors office, my counselor advised me towards taking a psychology class, see as it is a requirement for an AA degree, and because I did not know what sort of degree I wanted at the point. So, I agreed to take the class. go after Rice was the eccentric instructor of this introduction to the wonderful religion of psychology.