Time and time again we have been told how amazing it is to read and that it will surely benefit us well into our future. Many claim that reading is the key to success. I agree with these claims but I will have to add a little caveat; reading smartly is the key to success. What this means is choosing the content you consume because let’s face it, not everything you read these days has value.
So let me be the first to say that when it comes to reading, fiction is a great entry point. It’s actually what draws young children into appreciating literature first. Fiction has so much appeal to young readers that they are easily drawn into the world of the story and fantasies. I know for my part that the first books I ever read were fiction books for boys. I later grew to consume adult-themed books but I never forgot those amazing stories of adventure, friendship, and epic battles. So let me share some of the benefits you get from reading fiction books.
An Improved Vocabulary
Let’s get the obvious out first. Reading is a great way to enhance your language skills by introducing you to new words. Your expanded vocabulary will be evident in how you write essays and letters for school and business dealings. Through reading fiction books, or any book for that matter, you are introduced to many new words that you would never have come across. You will become a more eloquent speaker and writer because of it.
Amplified Creativity
We all have the capacity for creativity, but it is through reading that we expand and broaden it. Because fiction books have so many colorful characters and fantastical stories and settings, it stretches our imagination beyond what we’re capable of. Reading forces us to visualize what we read, taking our creativity to its limits and bringing it further than ever before.
Capacity for Empathy
Our capacity to empathize is largely based on our upbringing and how well we socialize. But through reading, we are able to practice empathy because we are taken from one character’s point-of-view to another’s thereby giving us a glimpse of what they are thinking and the motivations behind their actions. We are then better suited to understand how the story is progressing through these insights.
For De-stressing
At the end of a particularly grueling day, talking about work is the last thing I want to do so I try to immerse myself in novels. It’s a fantastic way to get away from the stresses in life and just get lost in the wonder and awe of a good fiction book. You get to explore far-off places, meet zany characters, and follow the adventures of your favorite hero all within the confines of your couch.
Increased Focus
When you read, you basically tune out everything around you. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to be shaken a little to get my attention when I’m reading a book. You get immersed in the story and what you’re reading which greatly helps you to focus.
Achieve Inner Peace
I save this last benefit because it truly has a profound effect on my well-being. Reading and reading fiction in general has really given me a state-of-mind where I am able to feel calmer and more relax. I’m able to manage my stress better and see a different perspective on life which gives me the insight to know that bad moments pass and also to cherish the good ones.
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Guest Author Bio
Evelyn Paulson
Evelyn Paulson is a passionate blogger who loves to write about travel, books, personality development, lifestyle, productivity, and more. She spends her spare time hiking, camping and reading adventure, fantasy, mystery stories, and young adult fiction books for boys and girls. Everything she talks about ends in books.
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