As I was standing in the Starbucks line the other morning, I happened to overhear a conversation between two other girls. Now, before I get judged for eavesdropping, let me just note that it is kind of hard to not catch bits and pieces of information when you’re standing approximately three feet away from others. Anyways, as I was waiting for my grande caramel iced coffee, I couldn’t help but hear one girl say to the other, “I’m sorry, but ain’t nobody got time for reading books for fun. I mean, why would anyone ever want to do that because, like, Netflix exists.”
I’m not an English major or a literary scholar, by any means, but I do enjoy losing myself in a good book, every now and again. Everyone has his or her own interests. While most do love a casual night of Netflix and chill, I know I do, it is not an unreasonable assumption that people still fancy reading.
Have you ever smelled a fresh, new book right off the presses? If not, take a trip to your local Barnes & Noble. While e-books and Kindle literature are all the rage these days, nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever replace the thrill of opening a new book. There is an overwhelming scent that overtakes all of the senses and engulfs the reader. Talk about a rush!
Reading is the gateway to a whole new world. Books expand your imagination. Have you ever babysat a small child? Typically, many little ones want their grown-up counterparts to ready them stories. Stories allow you to lose yourself. It is an excellent method to distress and escape to the reality of everyday life. Characters become your friends; the plot becomes a thrilling extension of your own existence.
According to LivDev, recreational reading can even help boost your GPA. A good book can make you smarter. It is reported that people who read are more likely to have higher intelligence levels and increased general knowledge than those who do not. Reading is like exercise for your brain! It improves one’s memory and analytical thinking, as well aids in the expansion of vocabulary acquisition. Reading can also help to improve writing skills and the organization of thoughts.
Similar to that new book smell, nothing beats holding a physical text. E-books and Internet reading devices are convenient, but there is something magical about a traditional book. It lets your mind wander into uncharted territories. In today’s day in age, we are so consumed by technology. The Statistics Portal notes that the typical American adult over the age of 18, spends upwards of 11 hours a day on their technological devices. Often times, brightly lit screens can be detrimental to eye health. Eyes become strained and fatigued easily, so give them a little R&R (rest and relaxation) with a good book.
Recreational reading books is not like reading academic texts. They are literary works with the intention of entertainment. There are books for everyone -- science fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction. Whatever you’re interested in, I’m sure your local or campus library has something appealing. And if this entire article isn’t reason enough to pick up a quick and easy read, this ought to be: “[Books] are great! It’s like TV in your head!”
