Joy of Reading

In case you can’t tell by now, I love to read and write. Yes. I am being facetious. In light of my interests (and maybe yours!), today’s blog post speaks to the joy of reading. 

For me there is nothing quite like curling up with a good book and traveling to another place from the comfort of my living room couch while wearing PJs. I mean, if I can go to Italy five minutes after putting my kids to bed, why not right? Jokes aside (because I want to go to Europe and not just read about it in books), I love feeling connected to the characters, excited by the action, and caring about what happens to the protagonist. And my favorite part of every book is the carefully woven in messages—the ones that teach you a lesson about life. 

The hardest part of any good book for me, is when it ends. Paul Sweeney expressed that feeling perfectly when he said, “You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” Yep, that sums up how I feel.

In literary works, I live for reading novels that use language to paint a picture. My favorite novels master that quality effortlessly, though I am sure the authors’ efforts are carefully crafted. While looking at black and white words on a piece of paper (or screen), these works create a vision of a young woman weaving through the busy streets of India, or a couple enjoying dinner in a bustling restaurant. Does anyone feel me on that? No? Jeez, you are a tough bunch.

I still remember the book that turned me into a reader. I was in seventh grade and I walked into my middle school library and scooped up a book called The Power Kid. Since then, I have lost count of my reads. Was there a certain book that turned you into a lifelong reader?

Recently, I read an interesting article in The New Yorker which asks the question: Can Reading Make You Happier? The article discussed the science of bibliotherapy—the practice of encouraging reading for therapeutic effect. Yes, studies have confirmed that reading can make you happier, and reading is being ‘prescribed’. This article cited the therapeutic effects of fiction books (not self-help, surprise!) because they offer a transformational experience. The studies conducted found that when people read about an experience, they exhibited stimulation within the same neurological regions as if they went through that experience themselves. Most readers know that the themes, messages, and feelings of reading a good book provide enhanced relationships and empathy, but now there is science to prove it! So, keep reading folks, you are growing from it.

How does reading bring you joy? What other activities or hobbies bring you joy? Any good fiction books you recommend so I can add them to my list? Do tell, I would love to know.

Thanks for stopping by my blogspot. See you soon friends, same time, same place, new “bookish” topic. Have a wonderful weekend!