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The Benefits of Reading for Everyone

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I Love to Read!

Did you know that reading can keep your mind active and engaged well into old age?

Several years ago, I interviewed a woman who was a resident at a local nursing home for a newspaper story. She was 100 years old. And she read at least one book per week. Mostly novels. She was bright, intelligent and fun to talk with.

"I love to read. It helps me keep up with what's going on in the world," she said. "A friend of mine brings me a new book every week. I look forward to her visits and I look forward to the books. We talk about the books we've read."

Reading has other benefits, as well.

For one thing, reading a good story can help you forget some of the problems in your own life.

"I can't get around much anymore," said the 100-year-old woman who lived in the nursing home. "When I go somewhere, I have to go in a wheelchair now. But when I read, I can go anywhere, anytime I want. And no one has to help me!"

Reading also sets a good example...

for younger generations.

From my own experience as an English teacher, and as a substitute teacher in many elementary classrooms, I have observed that the best readers are those students who see their parents reading. And I'm not talking about only reading novels or nonfiction books.

Newspapers and magazines are important too. It's the reverse of the old saying, "Do as I say and not as I do."

You can talk about the virtues of reading until you are so hoarse you cannot speak another word, but if you do not read yourself, your actions will communicate more to your children and grandchildren about how much you value reading than anything you could ever say.

Children's Books

Books for Little People!

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Important!

Why is reading so important?

My Answer is....

Developing good reading skills does not only mean that you can read a novel or a nonfiction book or a magazine or newspaper, it also means being able to read -- and understand-- a credit card contract or an insurance policy. Or the directions for putting together that new shelving unit you just bought. Or the instructions for how to install a new printer to use with your computer. Or the qualifications you need to apply for a job or to take out a loan to buy a house. Or that article you found on the Internet advising consumers about the best, most economical car to buy.

Possessing good reading skills also means you can read and understand a product label. Or the directions for taking medication. Or the warnings printed on a bottle of household cleaner.

In addition, developing good reading skills means that you can think for yourself. That you can read about the advantages and disadvantages of anything from breast feeding to homeschooling to taking a vacation to Ireland. And then you make up your own mind about what's best for you and your family.

If the opportunity presents itself, I urge you to take the time to read to a child. Or take the time to let a child see you reading. Everyone will benefit. The child. You. Our society. The world as a whole.

Setting a good example by reading...

to the grandchildren.

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Is Reading Really Important to You?

How Important is Reading to You?

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Very Important! I Live to Read!

lostinfiction says:

I can't think of a reason why anyone might say reading isn't important. Just posted on my lens about the books that Michelle Obama picks as her top favourite kids books. Have a look - http://www.squidoo.com/author_influences

Posted September 01, 2009

izati says:

reading is so important to me because reading can help me to be sucess is the world

Posted March 26, 2009

tandemonimom says:

I started reading at age 5 and haven't stopped for any significant amount of time since. :-)

Posted January 24, 2009

Not Very....Don't Need it....

 

What are you reading now?

Let everyone know what book (or books) you're reading now.

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  • Reply
    Roger Jun 9, 2010 @ 10:17 am | delete
    You might also check out this article from LifeDev on the benefits of reading

    http://lifedev.net/2009/06/reading-makes-you-better/
  • Reply
    Raheel Jan 29, 2009 @ 4:05 pm | delete
    I'm reading Catcher in the Rye and it is a great book. Reading helps you improve your memory greatly and helps in tuning your focus. Studies have shown that the faster an individual reads, the smarter he or she is. One easy way to increase reading speed is by moving your eyes across a page 2 to 3 times faster than your normal reading speed for ten minutes and then go back to your normal reading speed which you will see has increased slightly. If this exercise is kept up you will easily increase your reading speed from a measly 250 (the national average) to around 800 . :)
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Books for Big People!

Amazon Best Selling Books

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Important!

I Love Reading, Words and Writing!

When I was a child my mother would read to me all the time.

I grew up and became an author.

Now people read my books.

How cool is that!

All my books are available on Amazon.

Below.....

THE RURAL ROUTE 2 COOKBOOK

Tried and True Recipes from Wisconsin Farm Country

Tried and true recipes from rural Wisconsin. Recipes include beverages, breads (including Homemade Cinnamon Rolls in 2 hours or less!), cakes, pies, desserts, candy, main dishes, cookies, Norwegian, salads and vegetables.
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Where the Green Grass Grows

Stories from a Wisconsin Farm

Forty years ago when I was growing up on our small family dairy farm in Wisconsin, you could drive up and down the roads and see farms everywhere. Today most of those farms are gone.
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Christmas in Dairyland

True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm

Christmas in Dairyland is a collection of short, true stories about a little girl growing up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin in the early 1960s. The book tells of life for a young girl and her family-her father, who did the farming; her mother who, despite being disabled by polio, took care of the house and cooking; and a much older brother and sister, both of whom worked and contributed their incomes to the family.

The stories recall preparations for Christmas at home, school, and church, how LeAnn learned about her Norwegian heritage and, most important, the love that pervaded this close-knit mid-20th century American family.
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Give Me A Home Where The Dairy Cows Roam

True Stories From A Wisconsin Farm

Now that we live in a time when approximately 85% of American family dairy farms have disappeared into suburban township developments or absorbed into agribusiness scale corporate farming enclaves, LeAnn takes us back some forty years ago into a era when dairy farming was a dawn to dusk life, seven days a week lifestyle that bonded parents and children with hard work and a sense of the land, animals, and homestead that is rapidly passing from today's expanding urban society.
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The Coldest Day of the Year

True fall and winter stories about growing up on a small family farm in Wisconsin.
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Have You Read a Book Recently?

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Reading in the Dark?

You need a booklight.

My husband loves to reading in bed before falling asleep. This book light is wonderful.

I've used it myself when we're traveling after dark in the car and I want to read while my husband drives.
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by

RuralRoute2

LeAnn R. Ralph is a writer and newspaper reporter who lives in west central Wisconsin in the house her folks built (on Rural Route 2) when they retired... more »

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