Three good reasons to pick up a book

Though most bookworms could probably list dozens of benefits to reading, there are at least three good reasons to pick up a book and, as author William Faulkner said, “Read, read, read.”

For students especially, getting some books under the belt is of the utmost importance. Not only will doing so help students on Advanced Placement exams such as the AP Literature and AP Language and Composition tests, but college classes will also expect students to have read certain books. Though suggested reading may vary from college to college and from class to class, there are many classics that are universally known and frequently referred to. Many professors will expect students to have read, for example, at least one of Shakespeare’s famous plays. Even if you don’t actually enjoy reading, you may want to begin building your literary stockpile before heading off to college.

English poet and politician James Addison said “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” It’s true; reading is the best mental exercise you can get. Ken Pugh, president and director of Haskins Laboratories, found that “parts of the brain that have evolved for other functions — such as vision, language, and associative learning — connect in a specific neural circuit for reading, which is very challenging.”  Reading improves a variety of skills, such as analytical, reasoning and writing skills, and enhances both memory and vocabulary.
 
However, most avid readers don’t pick up a book for the intellectual benefits, but simply because they enjoy it. Though it is great activity for when you’re bored, reading actually serves as more than a way to kill time. Reading has been proven to reduce stress; during studies conducted by the University of Sussex, while subjects read, their heart rates slowed and tension in muscles reduced, resulting in a 68 percent decrease in stress.

Still not motivated to read? Here are a few more incentives. If you …

• are curious about a different culture, try “The Kite Runner.” Written by Khaled Hosseini, this best-selling novel tells the heartbreaking story of how the lives of two boys are affected by Kabul’s civil war. Similar books: “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and “The Joy Luck Club.”

• want to learn about history, pick up “The Book Thief.” Uniquely written from death’s perspective, author Markus Zusak finds an interesting way to write about Germany in World War II. Similar books: “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” or “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

• like to laugh, read “Catch-22.” This satire of bureaucracy and war, known as one of the funniest classics, was written by Joseph Heller in 1961. Another funny book: “A Confederacy of Dunces.”

• enjoy drama, try “A Doll’s House,” a play by Henrik Isben about gender roles and marriage in the 19th century. Some other famous plays are “Death of a Salesman,” “Macbeth” and “Pygmalion.”

• want something to think about, try “Tuesdays with Morrie.” A true story about a student who spends time with his dying former teacher, this short book contains many interesting and important messages about life and death. Also by Mitch Albom: “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”

• need to prepare for college, read “Animal Farm.” Written by George Orwell, “Animal Farm” criticizes and satirizes totalitarian communism, the form of government that Stalin implemented, but uses animals as characters to retain a sense of humor. Other important books for college: “The Scarlet Letter,” “1984,” “Heart of Darkness” or “Lord of the Flies.”

• are searching for a new perspective, try “The Glass Castle,” a memoir written by Jeannette Walls about her family’s struggle with poverty. Other similar books: “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” and “Go Ask Alice.”

Readers learn second languages easier, are better writers and are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease. Still don’t see a reason to read?