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By Kimberley John
There was a time, long before the birth of modern technology, where the favoured pastime was reading. Nowadays, with the fast-paced world of the internet at our fingertips, and alternative forms of entertainment such as television and video games being so readily available, we tend to make very little time to read. Some people don’t bother with reading at all, finding it tiresome or monotonous. Others read only when they have to, which can be quite a rare occasion.
Reading has so many benefits which, unfortunately, a lot of us choose to overlook. Here are my top five reasons why we should get our heads back into reading good books:
1. Expand your vocabulary:
This reason is probably the most obvious. Books that are well-written expose you to new words which will worm their way into both your written and spoken language. In turn, you’ll become more articulate and you’ll be able to express your ideas more precisely.
2. Gain knowledge:
Books can provide readers with a wealth of knowledge, and there are books which cover everything and anything you can think of. You can learn about different cultures, previous civilisations or, if you’d prefer, quantum physics. I can guarantee you there’s a book on it.
3. It’s fun and relaxing:
Reading is fun! It’s a brilliant way to enjoy yourself – and it’s easy, too, as you don’t have to do much at all. Its calm nature means it is incredibly relaxing and therefore a great way to relieve yourself of worries and stress.
4. Escape reality:
Fiction authors create worlds which, with the aid of a book, we can dip in and out of whenever and wherever we please. Following on from the above point, if you’re stressed out or just having a bad day, read something you enjoy. Allowing a good story to manifest itself in your imagination will not only make you happier, but it’ll encourage you to read more!
5. Improve your memory and concentration:
To completely enjoy and make sense of a book, you need to concentrate while you read. It’ll be easier to do so if you read a book about something you like or you’re interested in. In doing so, you’ll improve your memory and increase your brain’s capacity to remember information: for example, while reading a novel, you’ll need to remember characters, themes and plot lines, and while reading a non-fiction work, you’ll need to remember facts, figures, or relevant details.
So, next time you have nothing to do, just grab a book! With the great variety of genres to choose from, there will always be something for everyone.
Devise 