Many people underestimate the power of a good book. For those who think reading is a waste of time, you are probably one of these people… just saying.
If you don’t consider yourself to be a reader or are thinking of trying it out, let me introduce you to the wonderful world of books.
Books are so much more than just words on a page – they allow you to step into another universe full of knowledge, ideas, and creation. Whether it be the latest fantasy novel with magic, quests, and most importantly dragons, or the biography of your favourite celebrity, you have been granted access to a world unlike your own. Books are just one of the many mediums people use to tell stories that can be passed down through generations. A good book is all about the story and lessons it explores beyond the cover, stories you’ll never know unless you give it a go.
If you try a book and don’t like it, don’t give up! There are so many different genres to explore. Books can be funny, terrifying, mysterious, or downright depressing. Some can feel like a best friend or an enemy, be a comfort or wreak havoc, and can leave you wanting more.
Some of my personal favourites I recommend to everyone:
- For the romance readers; The Long Distance Playlist by Tara Eglington is a sweet young adult romance between two teens who live in different countries. But if you want to ramp up the spice level, I recommend any Ali Hazelwood book, with the Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain holding a special place in my heart!
- For those who like historical fiction, a genre I don’t get into very often, I recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (she has a few others I’ve heard are really good too!).
- And my absolute favourite genre; fantasy. So many publishers are now releasing books in this genre due to popular demand. Some of my favourites are The Grishaverse works by Leigh Bardugo, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi, and again, if you want more spice with your sword-wielding badass women, the From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the way to go.
I guarantee you, there is a book out there for everyone.
Not only is reading entertaining, but there are also numerous cognitive benefits. It enhances your concentration, so much so that if someone is sitting next to you and talking whilst you’re reading, you will completely block them out. Authors put a lot of research into their life’s work, so you are bound to learn something new and intriguing, from how to wield a sword to the proper way to cast a spell (“It’s Leviosa, not leviosaaa!”).
Plus, a lot of people think there’s nothing more attractive than someone who reads.
But if you are certain reading is just not for you, there are other paths for you to travel. There are comics and graphic novels for those who enjoy looking at the pictures; I recommend the app Webtoon to digitally read graphic novels for free! Audiobooks for those who can’t sit still long enough to read a book or are constantly on the go; I use BorrowBox. And lastly, there are book-to-movie/tv show adaptations (that are definitely not always as good as the book!).
I hope this article inspires some to at least think about dipping their toes in the literal ocean of books available to you. If you find yourself unable to put a book down, you’ve done it!
Currently writing my first book based on prevalent issues for young adults in today’s society. When I am not studying for a Bachelor’s, I’m dabbling in some poetry or reading a fantasy book.
