Summer is here, and with summer comes the need to travel. Traveling has the ability to whisk you away from familiar surroundings, but sometimes not everyone can afford to. If you find yourself stuck home or bored on your travels, there are plenty of ways to escape without necessarily going anywhere. In fact, one of the best ways to escape is reading a good book.
A book, unlike anything else, gives you the power to adventure while sitting at home. Reading provides you with the ability to travel to anywhere imaginable, whether that be someplace realistic like London or Paris or an entirely different world. Through stories, you have the power to see more than you could have ever dreamed of, and it all occurs right in your mind.
Imagine living multiple lives. Imagine following in the footsteps of the main character, shadowing their every move, their every action and feeling exactly what they are feeling. A book has the power to transform you into different characters and allows you to experience anything from a fantasy adventure to a picturesque romance. The more books you read, the more adventures you experience and the greater a person you become.
By embracing so many characters and worlds, reading can help you discover more about yourself as well. Where do you dream of adventuring to one day? What type of love do you dream of finding? What crazy job would you love to have? Books can answer all of these questions and more.
With every adventure comes a roller coaster of emotions. One of the joys of an incredible read is the connection you develop with the characters and worlds within it. You laugh when you read something funny, and you cry when something devastating occurs. These characters become a part of you and teach you valuable lessons about life, love and adventure. So do not be afraid to express your emotions while reading. The more you are willing to let go, the greater the story will unfold in your eyes.
One of the best parts about reading? The story always continues after you finish a book. The worlds that you venture to could fill you with all kinds of incredible dreams. Picture what you would do if you entered into the plot. What would happen? Would you become the main character, or would you want to support others from the background? Reading inspires creativity, and with creativity comes new ideas and concepts. Do not be afraid to write something yourself if you want to. Create your own world. There are no limits to what your mind is capable of. A good story could be the perfect motivation for the creation of something greater.
So, if you find yourself stuck over the summer, do not be afraid to pick up a book. Reading has the power to do more than you believe, so do not underestimate it. Go on an adventure. Live another life. Fall in love with the characters. Stop reading this and instead fly away to a different world. I can assure you that you will not regret it.
