I used to love reading as a kid, but I have not done any reading for myself in a long time. I still read, keep in mind — I read a lot in fact — it’s just not for pleasure. My reading consists of textbooks, discussion board topics, online articles, various course description handouts during syllabus week and homework/project assignments to learn or discuss things I will probably never look at again but are necessary for whatever class I am taking at the moment. When I spend all my time doing this, the last thing I want to do is read, let alone for fun. However, I forgot how beneficial reading for pleasure can be. In an article by Amy on the Denver Public Library website, some of the benefits for reading include:
- Increases students’ engagement in learning, resulting in higher test scores and more positive attitudes about school and education
- Improves reading achievement, which includes such things as as a strong vocabulary, a greater use of complex grammatical structures, and the development of a good writing style
- Promotes cognitive development
- Increases empathy and social skills
- Is entertaining (a student who loves books is never bored)
- Is correlated with better health
- Leads to a positive sense of well being
- Reduces stress
I decided I wanted to start reading for pleasure again. I went out and got two books that interested me. One is “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, which multiple people have recommended. The other is a book by one of my favorite pastors Pastor Steven Furtick, “Sun Stand Still.”
— Nick Alexander
Four Crossed Logs intern
professional communication major
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