As a child I was encouraged to read. My cousin, sister, and I would take part in a summer reading program at the library, competing against each other to see who could read the most books throughout the summer. When I got older, I read for my enjoyment. I'd spend most of my free time reading. Once I entered my high school years, I found myself reading less for pleasure and way more for classes. I still made time to read at least one book over every break during the school year. This was important to me, and here's why:

1. Reading Expands Your Vocabulary

If you constantly find yourself unable to produce the correct word while writing a sentence or you are often confused when conversing, then reading may be the fix for you. Reading helps you to learn new vocabulary. When you come along a new term, either look up the meaning or use context clues to piece it together. Using context clues sharpens your reading skills while looking up the definition gives you a solid grasp on the term.

2. Strengthens Writing Skills

By reading others' work, you can improve your own skills. Whether it be complex literature or a simple novel, reading can help you. Essentially, writing broken down into its basic elements include vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Examining complex literature allows you to analyze, for example, why a poet would use a dash in a certain place or why some seemingly random words are capitalized in the poem. This kind of analysis makes writers aware of their own writing style and the meaning behind their work. Even reading for enjoyment improves your skills. Your brain picks up grammar, sentence structure, and spelling while you read, which all contribute to the way you write.

3. Invokes Empathy and Compassion

We all have read the story which includes the misfit antagonist who has a tragic backstory. Even though you know you should hate this character for their misdeeds you do not because you have compassion for him or her. Books often have characters that are easily relatable because of different flaws seen in humanity. We all have skeletons in the closet, so when bad things happen to a decent character a sense of empathy and compassion rises in us because we can identify with the character.

4. An Escape From The Real World

The real world isn't always pretty. With wars, unstable economies, and unspeakable horrors, there are always burdens which seem to weigh us down on a daily basis. Reading is an escape. It takes you to a whole new reality. You get wrapped up in the characters' lives and worries while your worries disappear for a while.

5. Makes You Creative

These are words on a page. No matter how much imagery is used or how eloquent or well written the work is, they are still words. Reading makes you imagine characters, towns, and even things that are not in the real world, such as wizards. The ideas may be laid out in front of you, but you bring them to life.

6. Keeps You Open-Minded

Authors write to persuade and give their point-of-view or to show how a character perceives a situation. Because there are many types of literature it can be difficult to determine the author's thoughts on a topic. Some works are laced with sarcasm and irony which a less experienced reader would not pick up on. Words can be written one way but imply something completely different. No matter the author's stance, reading introduces readers to different subject matter and shows them new perspectives on the issue.

Reading helps to improve you as a whole person. It opens your mind to new ideas while strengthening your writing and vocabulary. Not only does reading sharpen your mind, but grows your heart with empathy and compassion. Now, go grab yourself a great book and start reading.