Of all the things that are cool, reading books should be at the top of the list. This is a secret every book nerd knows. Okay, so maybe it’s considered an oxymoron to be a “cool reader,” but it certainly shouldn’t be. Good books are always worth reading. In addition to enjoying whatever tale or enlightenment is contained within a book’s pages, there are wonderful benefits to reading, and the following are just a few.
Grow in Self-Confidence
Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, author Susan Cain loved reading as a child, and she identified with characters who were introverts. Such characters were depicted as intelligent and emotionally ablaze. This was in stark contrast to the way society around her seemed to define her: Aloof, dull, or flawed. Because of these books and characters, she was able to form a healthy view of the world and of herself. Cain is the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts.
Successful People Read Habitually
If you want to be like high achievers, one thing to do is recognize the value of self-improvement. Some favorite books that numerous successful executives recommend because of the help and inspiration for better life and business they received from them include:
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
- Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
- Finding my Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson
Addictive Entertainment
Reading a good book can be exhilarating. The secret is to find books that relate to your interests, and you can be transported to worlds of your dreams. If you’ve ever read a great book and then seen a movie based on that book, you know that books are much more deeply mesmerizing than movies and make a more memorable impact. Not only are books entertaining, they’re less expensive than other leisure activities. If there’s a library near you, it’s free!
An Empathy Boost
If anyone has ever accused you of lacking empathy, reading could be the perfect solution. When you read books, sympathizing with a character’s emotions comes naturally. Studies show that after people read fiction, they are more sensitive to other people’s emotions and demonstrate more empathy.
A Brain Boost
When's the last time you gave your brain a good workout? Reading is like exercise for the brain. It enhances connectivity in the brain, which makes your intellect sharper. You also grow a stronger vocabulary and could even gain an education through books from the library. Reading is also associated with improved concentration and a better memory.
Understand Others Better
Literary fiction books are defined as having literary merit; but they don’t fit into a certain genre, such as science fiction or mystery. Research related to social interactions discovered that reading literary fiction enhances the reader’s ability to understand the mental states of other people. This is a skill, and it helps with maneuvering the complex social relationships that are common in human society.
5 Great Book Recommendations
Are you ready to embark on a new adventure? Reading could be a complete gamechanger, especially if most of your activities involve staring at a screen. The following are bestsellers and/or classics that show up in most lists of the best books ever, all of which I’ve read and can vouch for:
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
What do you think? Will you join the elite Book Nerd Club?
