Reading is important; it can help you on so many levels

Photo by brokenarts

I love reading about–and discussing–the benefits of reading. I think there are so many.

Some of my favorite benefits from reading books are that:

• Reading can help you know you are not alone;
• Reading can help you safely experience or think about something that you might not be ready to experience in the world;
• Reading can help you work through things emotionally, and come to a greater understanding;
• Reading encourages imagination and creative thinking;
• Reading can help increase your focus and thinking;
• Reading can bring inspiration, hope, wisdom, comfort, and can act like a friend;
• And reading can provide wonderful entertainment, while helping you learn, often without realizing it.

Reading is also an inexpensive form of entertainment, far cheaper than a movie or CD if you’re buying a book, and free if you get the book from the library.

Brad Isaac has written a great article on the benefits of reading (he’s listed 26 benefits). The article is geared towards adults, and seems focused on non-fiction (and has a little bit of hype), but most of the benefits are still the same for fiction readers and child and teen readers, including that reading can: stimulate brain activity and thinking; increase vocabulary; give you a glimpse into other cultures and places; improve concentration and focus; increase self-esteem; improve memory; improve reasoning skills; and much more. You might not agree with all his listed benefits or the way he’s worded them, but many are validating. Check the article out.

December 16th, 2007