Rediscover the joys of a great book

LAST week, we looked at podcasts that might be helpful, entertaining and/or insightful.

But the interviewing style of most podcasts might not be for everybody, and for some, a good book is where it’s at.

Research shows that being read to from a young age is incredibly beneficial for language and social development. Those who develop a joy of reading in childhood often carry it right through life.

Reading as we grow up engages our brains, helps with relaxation, and of course educates us on new topics.

Most of us don’t read as much as we’d like to, however, or find that we’re only reading for the purposes of work, and lose the joy of it.

Below are some elements to consider if reading is on this year’s list of things to start or increase.

E-Readers can be a game-changer

Even those who swear by the physical copy of a book have been converted to e-readers in recent times, the most popular being the Kindle.

These little gadgets make reading so much more accessible, with font size adjustment, lights for night-time reading, the ability to access thousands of titles at the click of a button, and the reduced cost of these in comparison to the printed version.

Add the fact that it’s just so compact and easy to bring everywhere, and there’s literally no excuse left for you not having a good book on the go!

No time? Why not listen instead!

The relatively recent phenomenon of audiobooks has meant that even those that don’t sit down and carve out the time to physically read can still engage with what’s been physically published.

Audible is one platform where you can sign up to a monthly subscription and access audiobook, or you can pay as you go per title.

Some books are read by the authors themselves, something that can greatly add to the experience if it’s an autobiography, for example, as it feels like you’re hearing the person tell their own story - which can be powerful. Matthew Perry of Friends fame, for example, reads his own autobiography. It’s haunting to hear it back, as he’s since recently passed away.

What do I fancy today?

When choosing your next read, remember that you’re not confined to fiction. Ask yourself: What do I feel I want or need to consume? Is my brain looking to be stimulated with educational information? Am I feeling reflective and craving some support around that? Am I looking to listen for pure enjoyment?

Within that fiction category, do you usually tend to go for a certain type of book such as romance or crime - what about branching out? The world is your oyster!

What would friends recommend?

Reading (or audiobook listening) is a lovely way to connect with others. It creates a bond between two people who have read the same thing, and experienced the same highs and lows.

Similarly to exchanging notes on a Netflix series, it’s nice to think that we share that knowledge or those opinions and perceptions with others.

Book clubs have been around for generations, for this very reason. Sharing recommendations with family and friends, or finding an in-person or online community to share these recommendations, is a great way to develop your love for books and encourage you to keep doing it.

Through reading or listening to an audiobook, you can travel the world or get lost in a different one. It’s a wonderful way to broaden horizons, or to create a little safe haven bubble for yourself in times of overwhelm.

If you’ve not done it in a while, try it and see what benefits it might bring to you.