Reading is Good for us!

Of course it is!  

We've known that all along.  Below is a link to  an article I came across that offers even more reasons to read and promote a lifelong love of reading.  I appreciate that they are science-backed!

The 7 Interesting Ways that Reading Makes You Healthier

It pains me to see that the United States ranks 23rd of 30 on the chart of hours spent reading per person per week. We need to change that.

I love to read and although I have an electronic reader (great when traveling), I really enjoy the feel of a book in my hands  I'm more of a savor-er when it comes to reading.  While I can read quickly when I have to, when I'm reading for pleasure I don't read particularly fast.  I pause and imagine, reflect and predict, often getting lost in the descriptions of places and people.

When my daughters were young our house was FULL of books.  Our favorite field trips were to the local library where Miss Chris would lead story time with books, songs, and puppets. Afterward we would pick out books, often audiobooks (cassette tapes!), picture books and eventually beginning readers.  We read together every night for years. I love to remember the sound of their young voices reading.

Before they could read on their own I would tell my girls that being able to read was WONDERFUL.  That when you were able to read you could get lost on your own in a whole new world.  Once when my youngest was about eight or nine years old she was laying on her bed reading quietly.  I came in and sat down and started to talk to her.  

She asked me, "Mom, do you remember when you used to tell us that when we learned to read we could get lost in our own world?  Well, I'm there right now and you're interrupting me!"
Now I have the pleasure of reading to my granddaughters and watching their love of books grow.  I look forward to the time when they can read to me too.