The Magic of Books
The importance of reading, often a topic of debate, holds significant benefits for personal and cognitive development. While some may find joy in the world of books, others may view it as a daunting task. However, on this platform dedicated to shaping a successful future, it’s crucial to understand how reading can be a powerful tool in achieving that.
As Kate DiCamillo beautifully puts it, "Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift." This quote perfectly encapsulates the power of reading and its potential to transform our lives.
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THE POWER OF READING
Let’s dig into the science. Reading enhances cognitive skills, fosters empathy, and improves social interactions. We all understand that one of the benefits of reading more is that you might know more factual information or understand something more deeply. But as it turns out, reading doesn’t just fill your head with information; it changes the wiring in your brain. Regular reading improves your brain power and memory function by giving your brain a workout. It may help to slow the process of natural memory and brain function decline. According to neuroscientists at Emory University in Atlanta, “reading a gripping novel changes how the brain connects with different circuits.”
That's pretty fascinating. I’m all for different workouts, but who knew that reading was a rigorous brain exercise?
For me, the most compelling aspect of reading is its ability to nurture empathy. In a world that often lacks it, it's crucial for our future generation to grow up with this quality.
According to Maryanne Wolf, literacy scholar, and childhood development professor, deep reading nourishes our capacity for attention, empathy, and insight. “At a basic brain level, we experience the same thing the characters do. We don’t just understand a book—on a neurological level, we live it. When we read fiction, the brain actively simulates another person's consciousness, including those we would never otherwise even imagine knowing. It allows us to try on, for a few moments, what it truly means to be another person,” Wolf sums up.
Consequently, reading helps us feel what others feel, shows us a different way of life, transports us into other worlds, and gives us countless experiences without ever leaving the house. Pretty magical, right?!
Let’s look at some of the benefits more closely.
BENEFITS OF READING IN YOUR YOUTH
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Builds general knowledge
You can spot a well-read person, just as you can recognize when someone is well-traveled. Books can expand our knowledge on many different subjects. Even fiction can teach us new things, especially when it’s well-researched historical fiction or a realistic novel set in a different place. Reading about unknown events and settings can spark an interest in learning more, helping to build a store of information on various subjects. THIS is probably one of the most valuable skills we all need.
Improves language and communication skills
Whether you want to become a famous influencer or a surgeon, you need both. Research shows an increasingly high relationship between reading and speaking skills. There is no question that people who develop large reading vocabularies tend to create large speaking vocabularies. Indeed, reading power relies on continuous improvement in vocabulary knowledge that provides communication.
Improves mental health
This one is the biggest surprise for me. According to a study, reading as little as 6 minutes can reduce stress by 68%. Wow! Considering that nearly 2/3 of Gen Z consider themselves to suffer from depression or anxiety, reading should be a readily available tool to combat those staggering numbers. Instead of therapy, you could join a library and open up a whole new world of possibilities for yourself. Check out my article on alternatives to therapy here.
Can help you ‘find yourself’
Reading can be an incredible tool to get to know your likes and dislikes. Compare yourself to characters, their lives, lessons, wants, and achievements. Reading can inspire us to pursue something essential and create a better self.
Can help you build a community
Humans are generally social beings, even if we prefer to be alone most of the time. Reading is a common factor that can help you bridge that gap between you and like-minded people. Whether it is an actual book club or a group of people interested in the same subject, reading can help you find them. For example, maybe you’re into fantasy, and reading a novel motivated you to pursue fans of magical creatures online. Maybe you like high-paced scientific thrillers, which motivated you to join a chess club. Or maybe autobiographies are your thing, and you pursue a similar career to the person you read about and now admire.
You will live longer
This might be one of the most surprising facts I could have found in my research. Some scientists believe one of the benefits of reading books is that it may help you live a longer life. A 2017 study found that those reading at least 3.5 hours a week were 23% likelier to outlive their peers. Yes, please.
Honestly, I could keep going forever. Reading is just as unbelievable as magic, but somehow it is real. It is at your fingertips. It’s free to join your local library or borrow books from others. Spending your allowance in a bookstore is better than spending it at Starbucks or Sephora. It’s a straightforward tool for us to use to even the playing field with those who have more fortunes in life than you and truly help you build an incredibly successful future. Ou and avoiding dementia, depression, and altogether living longer is a pretty enticing bonus.
Check out Barbara Kvelstein Book Club here. Join us in reading Abigail Shrier's Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up, our book of the month.
