Reading and literature is what I am most passionate about. You can probably call me a book fanatic since I’ve read over 400 books, I volunteered at a library for multiple years, hell, I even watch book-related videos on Youtube (a.k.a. “booktube”). Since I have been a reader for as long as I can remember, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the many benefits of being a bookworm.
You’ll understand more of the many literary references in movies and TV.
There are so many literary references everywhere and when you have that “aha” moment of understanding, I guarantee you’ll feel like a special snowflake.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
Like this quote so elegantly describes, when you read you get to experience an endless amount of perspectives. Do you want to know what it was like in 1600s Europe? There’s lots of books for that. Do you want to get inside the opposite sex’s head? There’s a lot of books for that. It’s pretty cool.
You can sound smart with all of the new words you’re bound to learn.
You’ll be able to wow your friends and family by using those “big words” that you know now thanks to reading all of those books. Just don’t do it too much, that might get annoying.
You can use reading as an excuse for being antisocial.
Now, it’s important to be present and make friends and be a nice person. But, sometimes you just want to be left alone. Normally, if people see you holding a book up to your face, they’re probably not going to strike up a conversation. If they do, that’s just unfortunate, I’m sorry.
You’re likely to become a more sympathetic person.
No matter what genre you’re reading from (autobiography, fantasy, contemporary, mystery) you’ll read about many different characters and their struggles. Some of the things you read about will make your heart hurt for that character. I always find myself putting myself in that situation and truly feel what the character is feeling. Because of that, in my “real life” I know how important it is to be caring and sympathetic to others.
Movie adaptations!
There is nothing more fascinating than comparing the book, which you’ve concocted your own visualizations of the world and the characters, to the movie that is about to come out. It just doesn’t have the same effect if you watch the movie first, then read the book. The feeling of your favorite book being turned into a movie is both terrifying and exciting.
You have a reason to stay inside, laying on the couch.
When you’re a reader, it’s more acceptable that you haven’t left the house in 48 hours. When someone questions your sanity, you can just shoot back, “I finished two books in that 48 hours” and they’re less likely to criticize you. Hey, you’re staying inside for the love of literature!
It will change your life.
It’s hard to put into words how much reading has changed my life. I know that if my parents didn’t take me to the library every week as a child, and rewarded my good grades by buying me new books at Barnes & Noble, I probably wouldn’t have become so passionate about reading. But I also know that I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it wasn’t for reading those 400 books. If I can convince everyone to at least try to give reading a chance, I will feel that I have accomplished something. I got my 22-year-old brother to finish his first trilogy, now it’s your turn.
