From the first chapter of the George Saunders book A Swim in a Pond in the Rain:

Over the last ten years I’ve had a chance to give readings and talks all over the world and meet thousands of dedicated readers. Their passion for literature (evident in their questions from the floor, our talks at the signing table, the conversations I’ve had with book clubs) has convinced me that there is a vast underground network for goodness at work in the world—a web of people who’ve put reading at the center of their lies because they know from experience that reading makes them more expansive, generous people and makes their lives more interesting.

I love the concept of a “vast underground network for goodness”… and all it takes is cracking the cover on a good book. (You can use your eReader if you prefer — they certainly have some merits — but I’ll go old school if given my druthers.)

We certainly could use more goodness in the world.

Do you really need to do that Wordle? Watch ten more TikToks? Play Call of Duty for hours?

Reading makes them more expansive, generous people and makes their lives more interesting.