It's pretty hard for me to contain my inner nerd when I walk into a bookstore. There's nothing quite like the excitement of being overwhelmed by rows and rows of shiny new books with pages that are still completely untouched. It's nearly impossible to leave the store without at least one new purchase.

Unfortunately, this love of books and passion for reading is something that isn't shared by many of my peers. In fact, I hardly ever see a college student with a book in hand (that isn't required for a class, that is). In an age when technology is constantly developing, even I find myself distracted by my phone and picking up a book less and less. Reading has so many positive effects, and I think the rebirth of bookworms is crucial for our society.

1. Knowledge

Who doesn't want to be well-educated? Every new book you read provides you with a little bit more knowledge. It doesn't have to be a thick history book or an article about a recent scientific study - even fiction books have knowledge to offer their readers. The more you read, the smarter you'll be.

2. Mental stimulation

Instead of sitting mindlessly in front of a computer or TV screen, reading is entertainment that also engages the mind. Just like any other part of the body, the brain requires exercise to remain healthy. Reading can even help to prevent diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

3. Good reading skills lead to good writing skills

When you expose yourself to various authors, writing styles, themes and techniques, these things will inevitably have an effect on your own writing. You will discover which aspects of writing you find impactful and which you don't. We learn from others throughout the entirety of our lives, and writing is no different.

4. Stress reduction

Sitting down with a book provides the reader with an opportunity to sit down and unwind. Even if you're just spending 10 minutes reading an article that popped up on your Facebook news feed, it's important to get a break from our stressful, busy lives.

5. Improved focus and concentration

In a world where we are constantly distracted by social media, text messages and emails, our behavior has naturally become somewhat ADD-like, which obviously decreases our productivity. When we read for a longer period of time, however, we must be fully engaged in the story. Reading can help to improve focus in our daily lives.

6. Reading helps you discover yourself

Books increase our imagination, and with so many different perspectives, lives and stories that are provided to us by books, we experience events we wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Books contain valuable life lessons within their pages, and can therefore help us create and discover ourselves.

7. Books provide an escape

Getting lost in a book is one of the best experiences a person can have. All of the worries and stresses we face in everyday life seem to melt away when we are engaged in a good book. We fall in love with characters and get to experience life through their eyes. In doing so, we unlock an infinite number of completely different worlds.