What DON’T I love about reading? I mean, it’s basically magic. Here’s why:
- It lets me visit other places. Sometimes it’s a country I’ve never been to, sometimes it’s a time long past, sometimes it’s a whole other planet or imaginary place.
- I get to make lots of new friends without, you know, having to talk to anyone.
- I can hear what people I’ll never meet have to say. There are huge repositories of knowledge contained in books from people who live in different parts of the world or who have long since passed.
- It’s one accessible way to learn about other people’s lives. I think it’s important for us to proactively seek out information about marginalized experiences, and books are a great way to access some of those experiences. It’s also a good place to start when you just don’t know where to start.
- It builds empathy. Studies have shown that people who read fiction from a young age are more empathetic, and have an easier time seeing other people’s viewpoints.
- It’s a wonderful way to connect with kids. It’s also the single most accurate predictor of future success – regardless of what metric you measure success by. Reading with kids from when they’re too young to understand also builds a positive and comforting association with the act of reading and increases the likelihood that they’ll continue to enjoy reading. It’s pretty much my favourite activity to do with mine!
- You always have something to do. Particularly these days, books are easy to carry with you – I have ebooks on my Kindle and my phone, so I can always read no matter what.
- It has led me to a wonderful online community (yes, you!) and I love having a place to enthuse about books as much as I want and have people understand where I’m coming from!
- I got stuck around about here and asked my husband to give me another one, and he came up with a great one – it engages your imagination. I am still usually disappointed by movies – particularly ones that are based on books – because what my imagination did with it was better. I find the imagination to be like a muscle, and the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
- tfdtddsgsyfsytiyeiriutok. That was my kid’s contribution. You’re welcome.
What about you guys? What do you love most about reading? Are any of my reasons on your list as well?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
I love number 6 and number 10 – ha your kids answer was genius. I love reading to my kids, especially a book from my own childhood and even better when they are inspired too. My TTT: https://readingwithkat.wordpress.com/2021/07/06/top-ten-reasons-why-i-love-to-read/
Me too! My kid is an avid reader (she doesn’t literally read words, but she has memorized a lot of her books word-for-word so can look through and “read” to herself). I’ve started tracking the books we’ve read to/with her, and she’s over 500 so far! And adding at least 5 to the list every week. It makes me endlessly proud and pleased!
I agree with all of these, but I especially love #4. It’s always interesting to learn about other people’s experiences, but I’ve always lived in parts of the world that aren’t very diverse. Books definitely make unique voices accessible, especially since they are often based on authors’ own lives and experiences.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Isn’t that such a great gift? I am always so grateful to the people who have captured the essence of a place or an experience for others to vicariously live. And those who relive trauma so we can understand without living it ourselves.
So many great reasons here and I agree with all of them!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/07/06/top-ten-tuesday-323/
Yay! I basically think reading is all the good things and nothing bad (unless you’re doing it while walking down the street and accidentally walk into a streetlight. I imagine. Not having ever done that. ahem).
Yes that would be not so good!
I mean, worth it though. 😉
I love it that we can visit anywhere in the world in books. My TTT is off-topic this week. Please visit anyway?!
I do too. There are so many places I can’t go because I’m allergic to air pollution, so basically anywhere that isn’t arctic is off my travel list, but with books I can feel like I have gone to most of the world. It’s a wonderful thing for people with limits on what they can do and where they can go!
I love your husband and little one’s take on reading. Books are with me no matter where I go, and I love the experiences they offer.
Here’s my post: https://readbakecreate.com/?p=468
Me too! On all counts.
I especially love number 10 heehhe 😀 Love a little contributor! Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/top-ten-reasons-to-love-reading/
I couldn’t bring myself to delete it! 😉
I love #4. I like learning and knowing about other people’s cultures, and reading is such a great way to do exactly that.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Me too. I was lucky enough to grow up with a mum who taught English as a second language. I was constantly surrounded by people from all over the world. I knew more immigrants than Canadians. I have been grateful for that my whole life. I went on to attend, by choice, an international boarding school and study anthropology. I love learning about other cultures, and feel like if only everyone really got to know people from all over the world a bunch of the world’s issues could be made much better.
Reading definitely does build empathy!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-reasons-why-i-love-reading/
I think it made me the person I am, tbh!
Great list! I particularly like your kid’s contribution. A good book also makes me feel like that haha!
Me too! Totally!