In today's day and age, more and more people use a tablet or smartphone over sitting down and reading a book. While technology has affected our lives greatly and while I think there is a lot of good with technology, books still should be getting used. The problem with people today is they either simply do not have time to read or they simply do not want to read. This needs to change. It won't change unless people enforce it. Barnes and Noble stores are closing and schools are only using technology. People not being able to have access to books will make it harder for people to read.
1. It's such a great experience to read.
People should still read books because of the amazing feeling you get when you read one. The feeling of opening a book and being attached to a story is amazing to me. Each page has words that create an adventure or scenario in your head. The characters become people that feel realistic. You wish they could jump out at you and be your friend. You can visualize how everything looks and how everyone looks. A little imagination can go a long way in life.
2. Reading makes you smarter.
That's right! People who read are more smarter than the average person who doesn't. Think about it, it makes sense. In books there are more better words than “good” or “bad”. A person who reads can excel in writing and in English because of their word choices. Reading also makes your brain stronger. It “exercises” your mind. Students who read more get higher scores on the SAT compared to students that do not read. A person who reads also speaks well and excels in English classes. Reading also helps you focus more not just in classes but in any situation.
3. You can relate more to others.
This reason may sound weird at first but it's true. Characters in books show emotions and go through situations you may not have gone through yourself. However when you read a book, you are fully experiencing what the character is feeling. You get taken into the world of the character. So let's just say the character is dealing with an issue, a few weeks later, you have a friend who has similar issue to that character in the book. You immediately think about the character in the book you were reading. Had you not read that book, you wouldn't have been able to see how your friend is feeling.
4. Reading is relaxing.
It is a known fact that some people who are on technology 24/7 such as a smartphone can trigger more anxiety or depression. However, it is also a known fact that reading can relax you. It is a very calming thing to curl up in your bed with the covers just up to your arms and read a book. Every stress you had for that day is taken away as soon as your eyes hit that phenomenal book. I can read whether I am jubilant, upset, angry, any feeling because no matter what I am mesmerized and I just relax. Why not do it if it can help you relax?
5. It makes you feel something.
What I mean by this is, reading makes you feel emotions you didn't think you had. As you get into the story, you will start feeling happiness, anger, sorrow, and a bunch of other emotions. But most of all, reading makes you feel wonderful. Books make you feel good about yourself, books show you that everyday can be a new adventure. Books take you to places that you may never experience(Hogwarts!). When you read a book, you know you are never alone. Books show you that there is always an ending to any story, just like in life. Whether it was a happy story or an upsetting story, it always ends. Even though some stories may not end the way you plan, its over and the best thing is, there is always a new beginning.
Based off these five reasons it is clear that everyone should pick up a book that interests them and reads. I want to be an English teacher and I hope by the time I am an English teacher, it's less computerized work and more reading the book. Even if we just read one story with the actual books it would be so much better. Once people find a book, they'll want to read but like I mentioned earlier, people need to have access to them and schools need to enforce it. Once everybody sees that greatness of books, everyone will read them.
