Sometimes, readers are seen as anti-social and introverted and are given a negative connotation as being people who run from reality and don’t face real problems. I’d like to reverse that stigma. Readers are not avoiding problems. Nay, they are discovering how to conquer them. Those who read have seen and known more than those who don’t and can thus know how to change the world for the better. They know about more people, places, ideas and issues. They know how to avoid conflict and how to beat it if it can’t be evaded. They believe in change, in character, in love and in other people. In order to make the world a better place, readers recognize that they must stand together, because they have seen a hundred kingdoms fall in division. The ability to read gives people great power. It opens some doors and builds others. It creates and inspires imagination, understanding, compassion, knowledge and even the ability to transcend the world we live in. Books share pieces of truth about the world, and those who read more books know more truths.

Reading is obviously to the advantage of anyone who partakes in the activity. Many of the perks are very serious, but here are a few of the more fun ones.

1. You get to influence the lives of other people.

When you are known for your literary aptitude, people flock to you for advice on which books to read next, which ones to avoid and which ones to give away as white elephant gifts. Take this opportunity to change the world. Take control. Share crazy stories that make people laugh, draining stories that make people cry and twisted stories that make people want to throw the book against the wall.

2. You always get what you want for Christmas.

Your grandma doesn’t have to ask what size you wear, and your brother doesn’t have to go into a girly store. Anyone is welcome to buy you a book, or they can take the easy route and get you a gift card.

3. It makes stalking people less obvious.

Let’s be real. How many of you have wanted to sit on a bench and listen to someone else’s conversation near by? When you are a reader, you just have to put a book in front of your face and turn a page every couple minutes. No one will even question the authenticity of your action. The world is at your earlobes.

4. People leave you alone.

For some reason, reading is a very acceptable private pastime, and when you are sitting alone with a book, most people will pretend you don’t exist. They won’t even say hi.

5. You understand a lot more about different people.

Every story, at least the good ones, has multiple types of characters with a broad range of personalities and characteristics. When you read, you jump into the lives of all of these characters, learning all about them. You can even make connections between characters and people you know in real life, and this helps you understand people who are different than yourself.

6. It’s a great escape.

If life starts to grow dull or scary in any way, you can pull out a book and travel to a different place with different people. Say you are at a family Christmas party, the kids are being unruly and the old people keep asking you terrifying questions about your future, pull out a book! Tell them it’s for a class and that it needs to be finished the next day.

7. Your imagination is limitless.

You have experienced a thousand lives in a thousand different worlds. You know things that many other people never will. You know how to see things with your eyes closed.

8. You are more experienced.

You were taught how to sword fight by a warrior princess. A Spanish Salsa dancer taught you to dance. Harry Potter gave you your first broom-flying lesson.

9. People think you’re smart.

You never have to prove it, trust me. Just say “thank you,” and excuse yourself to the library. But it’s nice to have people think you’re smart. They just assume that since you can read, your IQ must be high. Chances are it’s higher than theirs.

10. Classes with a lot of reading are easier.

Not only can you fly through the readings with skill, you actually enjoy it, too.

11. Books are great motivators for peace.

If someone tries to bother you, hit them with your book. If they don’t leave you alone, give ‘em a little paper cut. They’ll get the picture.

You have power because you read. Go forth and conquer.