Hi Language Buddy!

Let's dive into a topic that's often been a cause of debate among language learners - the selection of self-study materials. Specifically, let's talk about the choice of reading material, which was sparked by a question from a member of our language learning community.

The question was simple yet critical - "Which book should I read?" This question ignited a spirited debate about books versus other forms of reading materials. As with any such discourse, opinions can differ, and what I'm about to share is my perspective - one which you're free to agree or disagree with.

If you're scouting for reading material, I would advise you not to opt for those dry, antiquated pieces of literature from centuries ago. You know the ones - full of archaic verbs, tenses, and words nobody uses in modern communication. The reason behind this advice isn't some latent bitterness about being subjected to similar readings in college - well, not entirely. Instead, it's about maximizing your learning potential by engaging with contemporary language.

I advised the community member who asked the question to venture online and explore a magazine like Teen Vogue - and yes, I'm serious. In this case, the learner was focusing on European Portuguese, and I managed to find a Teen Vogue edition in that language. If you can stomach the content of such articles - which admittedly may not be everyone's cup of tea - the language quality can be excellent. It's contemporary, peppered with modern slang, and offers a breadth of vocabulary that's surprisingly complex for a magazine aimed at a younger audience.

Here, I must mention a bit of an anecdote from my days in Holland, before the internet became commonplace. During that period, I used to read romance novels. Now, the subject material was, let's say, not my forte, but the language! The language was perfect. It was just the right balance - not too complex, yet challenging enough. If I could have tolerated the subject material, those novels would have been incredibly beneficial for my language learning.

My point here is - don't confine yourself to complex books that are laborious to work through. Instead, focus on materials that are comprehensible yet challenging, and most importantly, relevant to the contemporary use of the language you're learning. This is my viewpoint, and it's not universal - even my wife disagrees with me on this one. As always, it's crucial to understand your learning style and preferences and adapt your study methods accordingly.

And there you have it - a new perspective on choosing your self-study reading materials. So, whether you decide to grab a classic novel, a contemporary magazine, or a cheesy romance, just remember: the aim is to learn and have fun while doing it. Happy reading!