In the age of technology, reading actual books seems to be on the decline, especially among younger generations. Reading now has been deemed as nerdy or boring and, compared to the flash and appeal of video games, it's understandable. But in my mind, this is ludicrous. There is nothing I would rather do than read. So I'm just gonna take some time to clear up this nonsense about books not being cool because in my "book" there is nothing cooler.

1. Books are eco-friendly.

Now, of course, this seems counter-intuitive because books are made of paper, but when you compare them to the energy wasted on e-readers and TVs, they are actually very green. And after you finish reading them you can read them again or loan them to a friend making them reusable. Even when they are battered beyond use, we can recycle the paper and make new books. So turn off your iPads and laptops and grab a good old-fashioned book because there is nothing cooler than saving the earth.

2. Books are a cheap way to travel.

Traveling is expensive and the world is very large, but books make traveling cheap and convenient. Within the pages of each book are words that can transport you to any land real or made up and all for under $20. They also allow you to travel any time you please without the hassle of packing and going through airport security. Now at parties you can seem cooler by bragging about all the places you have been. Just make sure to tell them your phone broke when they ask for pictures.

3. Books make you smarter.

Books are the ideal place to learn everything you have ever wanted to know about human nature, the world, and other random facts. Read just one book and you will find your brain and vocabulary boosted. Basically, you don't even need to go to school if you read enough books. Sure you can Google most stuff now, but reading it out of a book makes you look much more sophisticated. Thus, if you really want to be cool just skip school and chill at the library like a real rebel would do.

4. Books are good for your health.

This is another statement that seems counter-intuitive yet it is true nonetheless. Reading might not have any benefit for your overall physical health like exercise does but it does have a very important effect on your mental health. Reading a book is a great way to relax and de-stress at the end of the day and wind down for bed. Being more relaxed and calm is better for your blood pressure. Essentially, if you want to live a long life read a lot of books and then you can live to be a very cool old person.

5.Books are always there.

Books don't judge your life choices, they don't run out of battery, they don't shatter when you drop them and they never cancel their plans with you. Books have the loyalty of a best friend with the entertainment value of a smartphone without the expense and buffering. You can use them when the power goes out and there is never any glare when reading them in the sun. They can even be conversation starters or enders. Frankly, who needs people when you have a house full of books? Plus, own something so efficient and convenient must be cool in a sensible, responsible way.

In the end though, books are more than just cool or useful for killing bugs, they are our friends and they create memories. Remember the books of your childhood? Or your favorite book from middle school? Those books shaped who you are today. They are influential and irreplaceable. So when in doubt about what to give as a gift, just give someone a book because it's as cool as a leather jacket, as useful as an iPad and works as a plane ticket. Plus, who doesn't love to be pretentious and declare that the book was better than the movie?