“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin
Reading is vitally important in life as it acts as a gateway to knowledge, broadening our perspectives and enriching our understanding of the world. Through reading, we access diverse ideas, cultures, and experiences, fostering empathy and critical thinking skills.
But nowadays, it is difficult for person to read a 300 – page book but he/she can watch a movie worth 3 hours of the same novel or listen to audiobook but they are missing so much by not reading the book.
So, what are the benefits of reading books?
Here are some points that tell us the benefits of reading books:
One of the most obvious benefits of reading every day is learning.
And unlike a Youtube video or a movie based on the book, the books provide access to in-depth knowledge regarding the subject. In other words to become more productive, which do you think you’ll learn more from:
A book from someone who studied productivity for more than 15 years or someone who made a video on the topic just because he is interested in that topic?
“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
― Groucho Marx
Why is reading important? As the 17th century English writer Joseph Edison once wrote, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
So, what does reading do to your brain?
Research has confirmed that reading stimulates a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. Plus, as you improve your reading ability, these networks become stronger and more sophisticated.
Our brains have a “use it or lose it” policy, just like our muscles. In other words, if we don’t exercise our minds regularly, our cognitive abilities may decline. However, when we read every day, we can keep them strong and healthy.
“Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book.”
― Jane Smiley
The ability to communicate effectively is a vital life skill.
In fact, one study discovered that 69% of employers are looking to hire people with “soft” skills, such as effective communication.
The good news? One of the key benefits of reading is that it helps us to communicate better.
How? Reading every day can improve our communication skills in a few ways. For example, reading can influence your writing and increase your vocabulary.
When we read well-written work, we naturally observe its writing style, cadence, and composition. These characteristics inevitably seep into our writing, in the same way that musicians are influenced by each other.
“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”
― Napoleon Bonaparte
The pros of reading also extend to mental health.
Researchers studied the effects of self-help books and found that many have a measurable impact on depression or other mood disorders.
As a result, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) began a book prescription program called Reading Well. This service prescribes self-help books curated by medical experts for certain conditions.
The act of using books as therapy is called “bibliotherapy.”
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss
Reading also helps to improve your memory.
Are you always forgetting things? Do you have a bunch of to do lists, but you can’t quite remember what’s on them? Fear not – one of the advantages of reading books is that it can improve your memory.
When you read a non-fiction book, you also consume an enormous amount of information on the subject you’re reading about.
Similarly, whenever you read a novel, you have to remember tons of information about the story’s plot and subplots, the characters and their relationships, and the environment in which the story takes place.
That’s a lot of information!
All of this new information creates new memories. And every new memory creates synapses or strengthens old ones.
The upshot? Reading every day can improve your memory – it can help you learn how to store new information and recall memories more effectively.
“A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.”
― Charles Baudelaire
In conclusion, the significance of reading in our lives cannot be overstated. Reading enriches our minds, broadens our horizons, and connects us to the accumulated wisdom of humanity. It fosters empathy by allowing us to step into the shoes of characters from different walks of life and eras. Furthermore, reading enhances critical thinking, improves language skills, and equips us to navigate an increasingly complex world. It’s a gateway to knowledge, personal growth, and entertainment all in one.
Ms. Geetanjali
PRT English
Kundan International School, Chandigarh