The Transformative Power of Leisure and Literature
Well-Read Mom’s mission addresses several pressing needs: combating loneliness, cultivating leisure, and fostering meaningful discussions. We encourage women to read without guilt, even when there is no immediate utilitarian purpose, because there is a higher “work” at play – to take care of one’s heart— and to rediscover the joy of engaging with transformative literature.
The Role of Introspection and Imagination
Readers who engage with literature thoughtfully—not just to “get through the story” but to seek meaning—activate their imagination to decipher the book’s relevance to their lives. This form of reading encourages critical thinking, cultivates the moral imagination, and trains aesthetic appreciation. By weighing the proposals of literature against one’s education, formation, and religious sensibilities, readers develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
The Transformative Power of Leisure and Literature
Joseph Pieper, a twentieth-century German philosopher, highlighted a fundamental issue in modern culture through his prophetic essay Leisure: The Basis of Culture. He underscored a crucial truth: we lack genuine leisure time. However, leisure is not simply idle time; it is a “receptive attitude of mind, a contemplative attitude, and it is not only the occasion but also the capacity for steeping oneself in the whole of creation.” Leisure provides space to think about the origins of things and the deeper meaning of life. Pieper’s insights reveal the transformative potential of leisure and provide a framework for understanding literature’s profound role in our lives.
Ratio and Intellectus: Two Types of Work
Pieper distinguishes between two types of work: ratio and intellectus. Ratio refers to work that is measurable, observable, and ordered toward productivity—the kind of work essential for keeping society well-ordered. On the other hand, intellectus is a higher form of work that is not primarily driven by productivity but by cultivating our humanity. This metaphysical aspect of human existence requires thought, insight, receptivity, and intuition.
Leisure, therefore, is not a luxury but a necessary commitment. It allows us to step outside the demands of the workaday world and connect with deeper aspects of our being. By nurturing thought and contemplation, leisure fosters an environment where intellectus can thrive.
Reading as a Gateway to Leisure
Reading great books is vital for habituating leisure in Pieper’s sense of the word. When we immerse ourselves in literature, we encounter moments of introspection that allow us to step into the characters’ lives, reflect on their actions and choices, and see our lives in a new light. Through these encounters, literature engages us with the good, the true, and the beautiful.
However, not all literature holds equal value. As readers, we should approach books as consumers seeking entertainment and individuals seeking transformation. Quality literature invites us to ask profound questions: Why am I here? How ought I to live? What does a good life look like? How does an experience of beauty change my heart? By proposing concrete examples of how others have grappled with these questions, literature becomes an avenue for self-reflection and growth.
Friendship and Leisure
Over the past fourteen years, Well-Read Mom has grown tremendously, now serving over 11,000 worldwide. We provide a yearly companion, a curated book list, discussion questions, and a methodology inviting introspection, fostering friendship, and support to begin and sustain a deep reading practice. Well-Read Mom is for all women, not just biological mothers, as we understand motherhood in the broad sense of helping to nurture life.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics speaks of three types of friendship: friendships based on utility, pleasure, and the highest form—friendship based on the pursuit of a good life. Cultivating leisure creates the space for this highest form of friendship, as it prioritizes time not spent in utility but in contemplation and meaningful engagement.
Through the structure and support provided by Well-Read Mom, women have discovered how literature helps them form friendships rooted in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness. Together, they explore literature that challenges and inspires them to live more thoughtful, intentional lives. We have discovered an interesting ripple effect: when women read more, men and children read more. These effects are not contained to the family but spill onto the larger community.
Reclaim leisure
Joseph Pieper’s call to reclaim leisure as a cornerstone of culture remains profoundly relevant. By setting aside time for contemplation and engaging with transformative literature, we cultivate our humanity and foster deeper connections with others. Reading with introspection allows us to encounter life’s profound questions, opening us up to truth, beauty, and moral insight. By doing so, we take a significant step toward living richer, more meaningful lives.
Are you interested in learning more about Well-Read Mom?
Learn about our mission, vision, and method for reading literature to cultivate leisure and transform your life on our website: https://wellreadmom.com/
To find a community near you, click on our map feature: https://wellreadmom.com/find-your-community/
Colleen Hutt is the Director of Literary Evangelization for Well-Read Mom and Co-author of The Well-Read Life: Nourish Your Soul through Deep Reading and Intentional Friendship by Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt