People like me go by many names: a bookworm, a book addict, or simply, a reader. Some readers seek mystery or action, some seek suspense, and some may even seek romance. Some of us read to grasp a better understanding of the world we call home, while others read as a means of escape. No matter what we read, or what our motives are for doing so, reading makes us better. Not only is reading beneficial for the human mind, it is also beneficial for the soul.
"Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul." -Joyce Carol Oates
Here is a list of 5 reasons as to why reading is, in fact, good for the soul:
1. They're always there for you when you need them- This may seem silly but it's so true. Books are always there, perched up on the shelf waiting for you to pick them up, open them, and spend time with them. They never go anywhere.
2. They can make you feel as though anything is possible- Often times, books try to convey some type of lesson or message to the reader. There are countless stories about people achieving their dreams, or accomplishing something they never could have imagined. Books highlight success stories, and stories of how people came from nothing, to then achieve greatness later in life. Books are so inspiring, and a lot of the time, these messages go beyond the pages. They have the ability to stay with the reader, Just remeber, even the word Impossible says I'm possible- don't forget!
3. They give you friends- See, people would say that it's unhealthy to be friends with inanimate objects, but the way I see it is that books become so personified as one reads them. They become so full of life and promise. Books allow you to meet people, through blogs like this, or when searching for a new one. I can't tell you how many times I have met someone at a book store who's picked up one of my favourite titles. This sparked a conversation and created a friendship. Books and their stories go a lot deeper than the paper they are printed on, so here's a challenge- ask someone for a book recommendation, or recommend one to them. Find their reasoning behind it too. Get to know their story, as well as the story they chose to recommend to you, and vice versa.
4. Books fuel imagination- In the era of media and technology, it can become easy to get lost in it. To get consumed by real life. The ability to imagine and dream can get lost. When you read a book, no matter what it's about, it allows you to get away from all this news, heartache, and tragedy that we consume on the daily. Books inflict magic, fairytales, and happy endings that we don't often see or hear about. Books allow you to, pretty much, live your own fairytale or destiny. They let you become that superhero, or a princess that you always wish you could be while you read. They spark dreams. After all, Dr. Suess said "Fantasy is a necessary ingredient to living."
5. Reading allows you to learn something new- With every word you read or every page you turn, there is something to be gained. Whether that be some new vocabulary, an unknown fact, or a place on earth that you never knew existed. Reading expands the mind and stems new knowledge that can be applied to real life in one circumstance or another
All I can ask for is that you try, or explore reading. It can be through an audiobook, ebook, magazine, or a blog. Reading, these days isn't as common as it used to be, but I hope to change that. You never know how great something can be, until you try it.
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