The Joy of Reading

/

We have been talking a lot about literacy this month, and focusing on getting children to embrace reading and how that can improve their educational careers. But, when was the last time you picked up a book?

In the past few years, there have been a slew of articles written about why you should read for pleasure, as the list of tangible benefits is huge. Some of those benefits include:

  • Improved memory
  • Better vocabulary
  • Better grammar and overall writing skills
  • Stronger analytical thinking skills
  • Improved focus and concentration

Additionally, regularly reading a book before bed (instead of zoning out in front of a screen) can even help you sleep better! And while all of these benefits are great, they take focus away from why we do read for pleasure, and the great things that come from that.

Americans spend an estimated 11 hours a day looking at screens. We are more connected than ever, with hundreds of friends and acquaintances available at our fingertips. The world is brighter, noisier, and busier than ever before. Consider, then, the great joy of putting it all down and curling up with a good book (made from real paper!)

Stories have the power to take us away and see the world through someone else's eyes. What’s more, you don’t have to force yourself to read dense literature to get the amazing cognitive benefits. Pick up a mystery, pop horror, romance, fantasy, or indulge in one of the amazing stories in the growing genre of Young Adult Fiction. Reading for pleasure should be just that, so find something you can’t put down!

Stories have the power to take us away and help us de-stress, gain empathy, and sharpen our minds. But reading doesn’t need to be a chore; something you guilt yourself into doing because it’s good for you. By finding the right things to read, you’ll find yourself forsaking the T.V. and computer more often for that paperback novel on your coffee table. If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to try, jump on GoodReads or check out the staff recommendations at your local library or book store to get started!