Reading is one of the most valued skills in the world. It is one of the first skills you learn, usually between the ages of four and seven, and one you use daily. Despite this, it is often overlooked. Many adults between the ages of 18 and 30 report that they wish they had read for pleasure more often during their youth, rather than only reading for school.
It is easy to let the habit slip when we are constantly distracted by phones or feel that we simply do not have the time to pick up a book. However, aside from expanding your vocabulary and making you sound more sophisticated in class, reading has countless other benefits!
One major benefit is stress relief. I often find myself reaching for a book or lingering near my bookshelf during exam season, when pressure and expectations feel overwhelming. Studies have shown that just six minutes of reading can significantly reduce stress levels and help calm the mind.
Building on this, reading also provides a mental escape. Many people read to step away from reality when life becomes too difficult. Some immerse themselves in fantasy worlds, while others become detectives, unravelling mysteries alongside fictional characters. The experience depends entirely on the reader and their choice of book.
If you think reading is “boring,” you simply have not found the right book yet. I used to think the same way before discovering Harry Potter. Albeit I watched the films first, my desire for more from the universe shocked me enough to make me ask my parents if we could go buy the books. They were appalled — it was the first time I had asked to go to a bookstore for something other than comics — but they happily agreed.
That was about four years ago, and now my room resembles a personal library. If you are unsure where to begin, the school library is always a great place to start. There is always someone willing to recommend a book, and they are usually more than happy to help.
Some popular books, authors, and series include:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a trilogy about a girl investigating a murder that took place in her town five years earlier as part of a school project. Additionally, the rest of Holly Jackson’s novels, such as Five Survive and The Reappearance of Rachel Price, to name a few, are widely enjoyed books for their plot twists, lovable characters, and moments that make you cry.
If that doesn’t float your boat, and you prefer more emotional stories that are bound to make you cry violently, you should read As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh. It’s set in the Syrian conflict, which explores friendships. Loss and tragedy.
Similarly, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a profoundly moving memoir exploring grief, identity loss, and a mother-daughter relationship.
Other book series are:
The Maze Runner
Percy Jackson
Caraval
Our world is filled with constant distractions, always buzzing. Reading remains one of the most rewarding habits one could have. It’s simple and easy—even reading 10 pages a day is an accomplishment. Whether it’s a way to escape the world, reduce stress, or develop new ways of thinking, books have the power to shape who we are as people. I feel like I’ve lived hundreds of other lives, rather than one, because I experience what the characters go through firsthand. All it takes is finding the right book, and your spark will be forever ignited.
