The pleasures of reading.
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
January 29, 2012 8:04pm CST
There are few activities as comforting, relaxing, and healthy as perusing the pages of a good piece of fiction or nonfiction. Curling up with a book and a cup of tea is one of the simplest ways we can remove ourselves from the confines of reality. Each time we read for enjoyment, whether we prefer the fantastic nature of fiction, the empathy awakened within us by memoir, or the instructive passion of nonfiction, we create entire landscapes in our mind's eye.
The tales we lose ourselves in can lead us on paths of discovery that take us out of our own life and help us see that existence can unfold in an infinite number of ways. we can learn so much from the characters and mentors who guide us from page to page. Our emotions are awakened each time we read. Ultimately, the books we absorb, those that touch us deeply, will become a part of who we are, providing us with a rich and thrilling world within, that we can revisit anytime we wish by simply closing our eyes. If you haven't read a book for pleasure lately, try and allow yourself the time - you deserve it.
2 people like this
17 responses
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
31 Jan 12
I agree with you. Reading is certainly a great way to relax and that doesn't cost much to entertain us. I love to read a good book. I unfortunately haven't been able to sit down and curl up with a good book in awhile. There has been so many things happening in my life. And I have felt anxious about a lot of things. I've been doing a lot of work on line to earn some extra money and that takes quit a bit of time. And I've also have my precious little daughter to take care of. But I hope that soon things will calm down and I will be able to get a little break and find a good book.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
21 Feb 12
Yeah I've actually been able to make some time to read a book. I went to the store and bought me a book that way I can take my time and read at my own pace. And lately I haven't been feeling the greatest so I've been trying to take it easy. It's nice being able to sit down and read a good book. I'm enjoying this little time to myself.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
4 Feb 12
Hi Pose: Well I can tell you that we share the same pleasure. I love reading fiction books but I also love reading the news to know what's happening in the world and to be aware about things. reading books that teach me about what to do to be a better person and that makes me think are always welcome. Books makes you think, dream react in a way television can't do it. Books are one of my main sources of entertainment actually.
ALVARO
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
30 Jan 12
I love to read myself as well. It is how I relax. Being able to sit down and read about someone else's fictional adventure takes my mind off of my problems and stresses! I also read non-fiction as well but I have a thing for mystery novels and sci-fi action novels as well.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
31 Jan 12
Dear Pose thats balm for an old fashioned bookworm like me. I like the internet but recently have started reading more and am glad I still got stacks of unread books.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 12
Before the internet I used to be an avid book reader, I always had my head in a book, my mum said I took after her mum who always had a book to read. Any opportunity I would read, I had a wide arrange of interest, but it was always fiction, escapism for me, sometimes I would jump right into the book and become one of the characters, when I finished the book it was like saying goodbye to a good friend. Then the internet came along and my reading time slackened off to almost nothingness. Nowadays I hardly ever pick up a book, if at all. Mind you my concentration levels have depleted. I think the only time I read a book is if I am away on holiday, away from the computer and internet in other words!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
30 Jan 12
reading is really the best hobby you can have. you can learn things from books, you can entertain yourself, certainly a book is quite portable; so it can be taken anywhere and as you pointed it, it is relaxing. pity the poor person who does not read!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
30 Jan 12
I have gotten into going to bed early and reading....I also read on my breaks at work. There is something so special about a story that touches your heart.....in fact that is the name of one of the books I have written! To Touch a Heart....from an author...thanks for starting this discussion....we still need readers!
1 person likes this
@GemmaR (8517)
•
30 Jan 12
I think that reading is one of the most amazing things that we can ever do with our spare time, but the sad thing is that many of us just don't have spare time any more so we don't read. In the past, when there was no such thing as internet or hundreds of television channels, there wasn't as much for people to do so they might have chosen to read instead. Now, thanks to modern technology, boredom is something which just isn't experienced as much, which means that books are something that have taken a bit of a back seat with regards to our priorities in life.
1 person likes this
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
I once hated reading some books, but then I came to realized that reading has too many benefits. It is also helpful for our mind and soul. Books takes us to the places that we wanted to be.
@Triple0 (1904)
• Australia
30 Jan 12
Yes, reading is great! It truly stimulates the brain and immerses you into a completely new world. When I was a kid, I use to hate reading so much, you could never make me read a book. My definition of reading back then was skimming the pages and finishing a novel in like 5 minutes. Ask me what the book was about, I wouldn't know 
Now, I read a lot, I tend to read online because I rather just find stories that will peak my interest then buy a book at the stores. Reading really does increase my vocabulary and I read for leisure too. 
1 person likes this
@kundanraj (660)
• India
30 Jan 12
I used to read book, newspaper, magzines etc mainly stories and in that mostly sciece fiction.
Reading is best way to learn as well as sharping your mind. I though well when read any novel my knowledge get improve. I got fluency in speaking as well. My thinking power grow well. I am hqbitual reader of diffremt book in liabaray when i am in college not read those course books as we had to read them in class as well in home each time.
I suggest other people too to read many books and rose thier knowlwdge bank.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Jan 12
I love curling up on a cold, wet, winter day with a good book, my throw blanket and a cup of coffee with my favorite flavored creamer in it. I love 'getting' into a book, it's as if you are there, in that moment. I have even been known to go back and re-read a book several years after I read it the first time. I have always had a love for reading. It is also relaxing, and as you said, takes us away, if even for a little while from the hectic, stressful, everyday life we all lead.
@velvet53 (22526)
• Palisade, Colorado
30 Jan 12
I used to read all the time then got away from it for awhile. My life was pretty fast paced and I quit taking the time for reading. Now I am back in the swing of things and reading again. I can't believe how much I missed out on. That time is so relaxing to me.
1 person likes this
@jessmess (35)
• United States
30 Jan 12
It's like you read my mind. In my busy life, it is hard to find the free time and read a book that I want to. I have tried to get comfortable and read my textbooks for class, but I get bored and resort to making myself stay awake and picking out a different book. I have trouble finding books that will keep my attention. I like something filled with symbols and literary elements- soemthing that I can research and think about.
1 person likes this
