I love to read. I have loved books since I was a little girl. My dad would read to me, listen to me as I pretended to read to him. My favorite thing was going to the library or bookstore with him, picking out a book and reading it until I absolutely had to put it away and go to bed.
Books can help us escape. Having a bad day? Grab a book, find a comfy spot, and start reading! Books can help us understand. When I was writing my thesis, I read so many books and several of them helped me understand PTSD and invisible wounds of war. Books can make us laugh, cry, and there are books that we may read over and over again.
Books can help us get healthy—just like that Whole 30 book I have sitting in my book basket. Books can help us de-stress and relax.
Some of my favorite books are ones that I have read multiple times. I know the ending, the characters, the plot, but there is something about reading it over and over.
I recently used a gift card to Barnes and Noble and picked up the first Outlander book. It is pretty massive, and I’m not even halfway yet.
It is really good so far! If you are a fan of the show, don’t tell me a word about this first book (or the first few episodes/seasons)!
Another really cool source of books is the SIU Press. Some books are local and regional, some are poetry and some are in the field of rhetoric and composition. I know some of the authors (which blows my mind). With such a wide variety of books, it is easy to get lost in adding them to my “to read” list. Most recently I have read these books:
Losing yourself in a book isn’t so bad. Take it from someone who spends a lot of time reading on a screen and reading print books. If you are not a book person, I hope you find something that can allow you relaxation, some time to take care of yourself, curl up with a coffee or a cup of tea.
Reading can help reduce stress. Maybe we take that for granted (*raising hand*) because we read so much in our daily lives. Reading for pleasure can help you relax and feel comfortable (even if you aren’t a big fan of reading, just try it). According to a study in 2009 by the University of Sussex, reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. Your mind is invited to another world where you can escape and be stress-free.
Try a new book or an old one you love. You might be surprised at how relaxing it can be.