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Although they may not appear it, books are a portal to another world. They are a place where imagination runs wild and creativity is limitless. In our ever busy world, too many people forget the feeling of getting lost in a good book. Statistically, 1 in 4 adults won't even pick up a book during the entire year. If you fall into this category then it is time to climb back out. There are some important benefits that can be gained from reading a book, and not all of them are just for leisure and enjoyment. Here are some of the main reasons that you should delve into the pages of the written word.
The first major benefit of reading books is that can improve your mental processes. You will be able to build fundamental skills that will help you in every aspect of your life. One direct benefit of reading is that of an improved vocabulary. How many times have you read a book and found words that you had never heard of before? The beauty of a book is that many times you can infer the meaning of a new word just by the context that it is in, but if not, then you can quickly look it up and gain that knowledge. Challenging books will constantly be exposing you to new words that you may not have run across otherwise.
One of the great enjoyments of reading is that you will be able to experience cultures and places you might not ever have been able to explore. Whether fiction or non-fiction, a good author can paint a picture of a place or culture better than any picture could describe. Books allow you to expand your horizons and really understand what other countries or societies have to offer without ever having to travel there in person.
Last of all, reading can be an exercise to improve your memory and your self esteem. Reading helps you to exercise your memory muscles so that you can better remember facts in the future. This directly relates to your self esteem, because knowledge is power. The more that you know, the better self image you are going to have. You will be the expert on the topics that you are reading about. People will start looking to you for answers and you will feel the power of having an influence in someone's life.
With all of the benefits that come from reading, it isn't hard to see how important it really is. Not only that, reading can be incredibly enjoyable. So whether it's been a month or a few years, take the time to delve into a book and get lost all over again.
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| 05/05/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "Chesapeake Blue" |
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by Cloggie Downunder (Thirroul NSW Australia): Chesapeake Blue is the fourth of the Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts. It is the story of Seth Quinn, who as a ten-year-old , was bought from his mother (Rayand#146;s estranged daughter, Gloria deLauter) by Ray Quinn and raised by Rayand#146;s adopted sons, Cam, Ethan and Phil. After years of promoting his art around the continent, Seth Quinn wants to come home to St Christopher, to the security of the place he grew up in. When he arrives, he meets Drusilla Whitcomb Banks, granddaughter of a Senator, who has come to St Chris to get away from life in Washington and the stifling demands of her parents. Sheand#146;s running a flower shop and loving it, and Seth wants to paint her, and more. But everyone has secrets in their past, and Sethand#146;s is insisting on turning up like a bad penny, threatening everything he holds dear. Is there any way someone as sophisticated as Dru can be with someone like Seth with his history? Is Seth underestimating Drusillaand#146;s strength? Has Seth forgotten he is a Quinn, and Quinns stand together? This final chapter in the Chesapeake Bay series will please fans who wanted to know how Seth turned out. Roberts knows how to create characters to love and hate, and a plot that is original. An entertaining read.
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| 04/05/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "The Lifeboat" |
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by Diane S.: Thirty nine people in one lifeboat adrift for many weeks waiting for rescue, some strong some not. Rogan takes what is a relatively simple plot line and than fills it with moral ambiguities and decisions that keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. Not sure what I think of the main character and narrator Grace, we are filled in on her back story, except to say that I felt she was definitely an opportunist, but above all she is a survivor, not only of the ship sinking and subsequent trial, but in life itself. The language used is insightful and well in keeping in what was going on in the lifeboat. Couldn't help wondering how I would have acted if found in the same situation as these people. This will make an interesting book for discussion groups as there are many different aspects of this novel that can be discussed.
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| 01/05/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "A Land More Kind Than Home" |
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by Diane S.: My goodness but this book was fantastic! His use of local color and dialect, his descriptions, his use of the weather to ratchet up the tension, and all this from a first time author. The town midwife, Adelaide, who sees it as her job to protect the children, the sheriff, who has plenty of tragedy in his own life, and the two young boys, Jess, who is in third grade, and his older but mute brother, Christopher. When evil comes to their small Appalachian town in the form of itinerant preacher, Chambliss, events are set in motion that will leave few unscathed. Two boys would pay for their natural curiosity in a way that is out of all proportion to their misdeed. I knew this story drew me in when I found myself wanting to grab one of the characters and tell them not to do it. I felt the tension in the pit of my stomach, like the way one feels before the big drop on a roller coaster. Yet in ends in a note of hope and a looking forward to that I would not have thought possible. Absolutely gripping!
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| 01/05/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "The Dovekeepers" |
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by Louise J (Canada): I have read a lot of novels about ancient Jerusalem during this era but I must begin this particular review with one word and#150; WOW!! I was completely entranced with Alice Hoffmanand#146;s The Dovekeepers which took place during the Roman siege during the first century CE. The story is told through the voices of four different women: Yael, Revka, Aziza and Shirah. Each of these women had secrets about where they came from, who they are, who their fathers were, and who they love. Each of the womenand#146;s stories bound them together throughout the novel emotionally and symbolically. The change in each womanand#146;s story flowed effortlessly and leant to the dynamic retelling of this sad and tragic period in history. The dramatic end to this story will rip your heart out and leave tear-stains on your pages as you turn them. The title The Dovekeepers has a symbolic meaning throughout the story. Iand#146;ve read a lot of Hoffmanand#146;s work and I believe this to be her very best. I believe this will become a classic in the future and a novel that will be talked about in book groups, peopleand#146;s living rooms, in the news and will be a bestseller. I for sure will be touting the merits of this book to anyone and everyone who will listen. Kudos to you Ms. Hoffman!
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| 28/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "Blue Asylum" |
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by Diane S.: Set during the civil war, the wife of a slave owning plantation, is sentenced to the lunatic asylum on Sibella Island. There she meets many different characters, some sane some not, and Ambrose who is scarred by his own actions in the war. This novel is a quiet novel, almost ethereal in tone, because the reader learns what sent these people here in flashback and conversations from the characters instead of directly from the acts. Loved the doctor's son, a young boy who fears he himself in insane. The descriptions of the water, sea life and the island are beautifully rendered. As for the name Blue in the title, it does have meaning but you will have to read the book to find out what it is.
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| 21/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "A Good American" |
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by Dorothy T. (Victorville, CA): There is not a dull moment in this book. The storyline about multiple generations of a German/American family is engrossing, and there are plenty of humorous situations. Alex George has plenty to say and he says it well. I could just hear that four-part barbershop quartet harmony!
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| 21/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "The Truth of All Things" |
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by Diane S.: Definitely held my interest, since I haven't stopped reading it since I picked it up. Set in 1892, in Portland, a prostitute is murdered and a newly appointed detective and a half Abenaki Indian profiler must team together to solve the case. New investigative techniques and a duo that slightly resemble Holmes and Watson, the Salem Witch hunts and an uncanny ability to make the reader actually feel that they are in this time period mark this series debut by a new author, nothing short of fascinating. Can't wait to see what this author comes up with next. Reminds me a little of the atmospheric novels of Cale Carr.
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| 17/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "The Language of Flowers" |
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by Anne Cater (Lincolnshire - England): What a beautiful book, both the story itself and the actual book. The cover is a stunning design, and different parts of the story have front pages with gorgeous calligraphy - it really is beautifully designed and presented. The subject of the novel fascinated me, the language of flowers and each flower's individual meaning - something that I knew nothing about, although I believe that our latest member of the Royal Family - Kate Middleton is very interested in the subject. I was also drawn by the fact that the lead character of the story is a foster child - I've worked for charities now for many years and for four years I ran a drop in project for young people that were 'leaving care'. Aged between 17 and 21, these were kids that had been in the system for all of their lives and were making that difficult transition from being 'looked after' to living in the wide world by themselves. I'd also run a project for young parents who had been in the care system, so had many memories of these children and their unique problems. Victoria is 18 years old and has spent her life being moved from one foster carer to another and between different group homes before finally leaving the system as the book opens. During her time in the system she has had no consistency, except for her Social Worker Meredith - a woman who has only displayed frustration and anger towards her. The reader is made aware that Victoria did once have the chance to make a new life with a lady called Elizabeth and this back story is interwoven with Victoria's present day situation. It is clear that Victoria and Elizabeth loved each other, but that they have been estranged for the last 8 years - as the story unfolds, we learn more and more about their relationship, but it is not until the end of the novel that we find out the whole truth. This really is a wonderful read. It is beautifully written and it is clear that Diffenbaugh has spent a lot of time researching the language of flowers. Victoria is homeless when she meets Renata, the owner of Bloom, a florist shop. Victoria has always loved flowers and their meaning, something that Elizabeth taught her during their time together. Renata recognises her talents and gives her a chance in the shop. It is not long before Victoria's bouquets become famous in the neighbourhood and at last she has found something that she is good at. There is a wariness about Victoria - she finds it difficult to love and to be loved. She trusts no one and is afraid that she will be hurt and that she will hurt anyone who gets close to her. One day at the flower market she meets Grant, Elizabeth's nephew. Grant knows more about Victoria's history than anyone else and although this scares her, it also draws her to him. I can't go into more detail or I would spoil the book for those who have not yet read it. The Language of Flowers is a joy to read. I loved every page of it. Victoria is a flawed but vulnerable heroine - a girl who is desperate for affection, but also terrified of rejection. It is a story of relationships and love, especially between mothers and daughters, and the added intrigue of the meaning of flowers only adds another dimension to the novel. An excellent first novel that I would highly recommend.
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| 16/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "Quiet" |
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by Diane S.: What a fascinating and well written study on the differences between introverts and extroverts and what goes in to making them that way. I believe anyone managing people in any capacity should read this book as well as parents who are raising children, wondering why they are so different. Highly informative and the examples used are many well known people. I was surprised by quite a few that I thought were extroverts, were not and vice versa.
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| 15/04/2012 11:00 AM |
| Reader Review: "I, Coriander" |
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by Holly: This is one of the best books I have ever read. I picked this up at the book fair with little knowing how Sally Gardner would take us through the life of a girl with a heart wrenching story. This book is expertly written; and I think this book should be more recognised. I have recommended it to friends, who have also experienced tears, laughter and joy reading this excellent novel.
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