Why Everybody Should Read For Pleasure
If you met any of my friends, or spoke to one of my family members, they will all tell you the same thing. Sophia loves reading. Growing up I always hated reading, I avoided it at all costs. When I came to college I discovered my love for reading. The number one thing that I will tell anyone who is interested in getting into reading is to find a genre you are interested in. Start with easy to read books, romance or comedies. These are the categories that got me started with reading. As I matured and grew as a person, so did my reading interests. I started reading mysteries, dystopian and fantasy books, and biographies. After a long, hard day, my favorite thing to do is to open my current book and escape into the world. To me, reading is like watching a movie. I can fully see the images in my head, and I feel like I am truly in the world that I am reading about. I will make the book that I am reading my entire personality trait and tell all of my friends about it. I also get emotionally attached to the characters and come to care for them. There is so much to discover when it comes to reading, but I want to talk about how it has helped me in ways greater than just enjoyment.
Ever since I have started reading, I have noticed changes in the way that I view things, and even how well I perform in school. I truly believe that I have expanded my mind, learned new words, and have been able to retain knowledge better. Even if I have read a silly romcom, I find that my mind is more focused during my classes. When I extend my energy on something that is actually enjoyable to me, I have more patience for something that I may not be as interested in. I have also noticed that since I have started reading, my bad days have become better. I find an escape in my book, a palace for me to get away from what is going on in my life and just enjoy myself. Even on my busiest days, I try to find at least fifteen minutes for relaxation and enjoyment.
Why do I think you should start reading? Everybody has an interest or hobby. Even if it is something you have never done before. There is a book out there for everything. Whether it is fiction or nonfiction, there is something for you. As college students, or even just as someone who works all day long it is necessary to take care of yourself physically as well as mentally. I believe that reading something that you enjoy is the best way to release yourself from everyday pressures and let go. If you try it for just a week you will find yourself feeling lighter and more relaxed. The small act of taking fifteen minutes about your day will have you expanding your vocabulary, expanding your mind and finding new interests. You will notice your comprehension and writing skills when doing class assignments. One of the biggest benefits that you will notice, as I have, is that your emotional intelligence will grow. This is a very important skill to have as adults because it allows you to feel empathy and connect with your peers.
I researched this topic. How does 15 minutes of reading for pleasure a day benefit you? I found countless studies and sources confirming what I already know and practice. In a particular study, the “magic number” fifteen was explored. Different students and individuals were tested. Some read 5 minutes a day, some fifteen, some thirty, and other various numbers. It was found that to maximize your intellectual potential and have better academic outcomes. Though reading more than fifteen minutes greatly improved the individuals mental health and success, fifteen minutes was found to be the magic number. This was consistent across all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. I hope that this information and this study encourages you to try and start reading for pleasure.
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You make a great point about how reading for just 15 minutes a day can help maximize your intellectual potential and I'm a true believer of that even though I don't read that much anymore. I was the complete opposite of you. I loved reading when I was younger especially in elementary school, but as I grew older I've been reading less and less. I'm a journalism article so my form of daily reading is through news article, but I still feel like I don't read enough but I think the one thing holding back a lot of people from reading more is that it takes a bit of time to start reading and get into the grove of reading. Autobiographies have helped me get back into reading more and it's definitely a nice bridge from watching television or movie documentaries into reading more novels of different genres.
ReplyDeleteSophia, your passion for reading leaps off the page, and your journey from reluctant reader to evangelist is inspiring! I love how you frame it as an escape—like a mental movie—that’s not just fun but transformative. Your point about finding a genre that clicks (romcoms to dystopias) is spot-on; it’s the hook that reels you in. The benefits you’ve noticed—sharper focus, better vocab, even emotional resilience—really sell the case, especially with that 15-minute “magic number” study backing you up. It’s cool how you tie it to emotional intelligence too; empathizing with characters does spill over into real life. I wonder—any book that unexpectedly shifted your perspective? Your enthusiasm’s contagious—makes me want to grab a novel tonight! Great pitch!
ReplyDeleteSophia, this post was exactly what I needed to read today! It served as the perfect reminder for me to open up the book I just ordered a few days ago, Verity by Colleen Hoover. This year, I made it a goal to read a book each month, and thus far I have not followed through on accomplishing that goal. My relationship with reading for pleasure is the exact opposite of yours, similar to Dylan. As a child and through middle and high school I was a rambunctious reader. I loved historical fiction specifically, and I read just about every classic book in my parents vintage leather bound collection. Nonetheless, throughout college I have faded farther and farther away from consistently reading.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the “magic number” of fifteen minutes a day was also fascinating. It added a layer of scientific credibility to what you already illustrated so clearly through your own story: that consistent reading, even in small doses, can lead to cognitive and emotional growth. The idea that reading for pleasure can enhance vocabulary, boost empathy, and even improve focus in unrelated academic subjects is something that I really appreciated being reminded of.
Loved reading this — I really relate to your journey with reading. It’s funny how something we avoided as kids can become such a comforting part of our routine later on. I also really appreciate how you talked about the real-life benefits beyond just enjoyment. I’ve noticed the same thing — reading regularly helps me focus better, think more clearly, and even write more confidently. And I agree, even a short reading break can completely change the tone of your day. That “15-minute rule” you mentioned is super interesting and such a doable starting point for people who say they don’t have time.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this post for reminding me of my forgotten New Years resolution. I used to read all the time growing up but have found my self struggling to pick up a book. I completely agree that incorporating a little bit of reading into our daily schedules has many benefits. Thank you for sharing your journey with reading and it has reminded me of something that I once loved to do. During a time period so dominated by technology and social media, it easy to forget about other activities we enjoy doing.
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