Reading is one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide. Many people love reading as it reduces stress and enables us to escape reality and immerse ourselves in the fictional world the author creates. There are several genres of books, from science fiction to historical. In this blog post, I will be explaining the benefits of reading, how to pick a book and some of my favourite novels to read.
Reasons to Read Books:
- Reading strengthens your brain: Studies show that reading helps improve memory and critical thinking skills. Reading also helps improve your vocabulary as you are constantly encountering challenging words and learning more about their meanings. Reading is also a great way to effectively improve your creativity and imagination.
- It is a free form of entertainment: Having a library card allows you to access many books, ranging in numerous genres. Many people read to help pass the time when they are bored.
- Reading expands your knowledge: The more you read, the more you will be exposed to new ideas and perspectives, which can improve your cognitive thinking skills. Whether fiction or non-fiction, reading exposes you to new ways of thinking and diverse experiences.
- Reading Reduces Stress: Studies have proven that reading helps reduce stress by a huge factor. Experts suggest reading at least 30 minutes a day to relieve stress.
How to Pick a Book:
One of the major barriers to reading is actually picking the book. Here I have listed some tips that help me choose novels to read.
- Ask for recommendations from your friends and family. This is a great way to choose a novel, as these people know you really well and can suggest books according to your unique tastes. Asking for book recommendations is also a really amazing way to start conversations with new people and helps you increase bonding.
- Choose a book in a genre that you love reading or something you are genuinely curious about.
- Read about something in a genre that is new to you. It is always a good idea to step out of your comfort zone to read something new. Who knows, you might end up discovering a novel you really enjoy. Reading books from other authors is also a good idea, as you will be exposed to new perspectives.
My Favourite Novels:
Here I have listed some of my favourite novels that I recommend in no particular order.
- The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner – I really loved this book series because its plot is very unique and filled with mysteries. This is a dystopian series which involves fast-paced action and will always keep you on the edge of your seat.
- The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins – I really loved this book series for its plot and amazing characters. This is a dystopian series which is filled with suspense, and it is written in first-person, meaning we get a full understanding of the internal feelings of the main character.
- The Loop Trilogy by Ben Oliver – This trilogy is an excellent novel series filled with suspense and is a wonderful page-turner. I loved reading it as the author had done an amazing job of portraying the characters’ emotions throughout the journey. It is science fiction set in the future, where the world is controlled by robots and artificial intelligence.