What drives you to read?
I think my love for reading books started a bit late. I have loved picture books as a kid, but I eagerly wanted to finish thick books only after I was forced to read a pocket book for a book report when I was in grade 5 or 6.
The accomplishment of being able to finish a pocket book was exhilarating that time that I wanted to read another one. I was so happy because I couldn’t believe I could actually finish an entire book without pictures.
I then challenged myself to read from thin books to thick ones. Now, I also explore from one genre to another to see which ones appeal to me the most. I still prefer detective stories until now. 🙂
To a survey of Why people read by readitforward, these were some of the answers: =)
- “BECAUSE IT’S MORE EFFECTIVE THAN ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND CHEAPER THAN THERAPY”
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“BECAUSE I CAN’T NOT READ”
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“BECAUSE IT SOOTHES MY SOUL”
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“TO SUBDUE THE INCESSANT MONOLOGUE IN MY HEAD”
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TO FALL ASLEEP
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“PRETTY SURE IT’S BECAUSE I’M ADDICTED”
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“BECAUSE T.V. IS BORING”
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TO FORGET
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BECAUSE THERE ARE BOOKS
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TO OPEN DOORS
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TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
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TO EXPAND MY HORIZON
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TO LIVE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE FOR A WHILE
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TO IGNITE MY IMAGINATION
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TO TRAVEL THROUGH TIME
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“BECAUSE IT MAKES ME HAPPY”
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TO DE-STRESS
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TO LEARN
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TO RELAX
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TO ESCAPE
Top 10 benefits of reading:
- Those who read get better at it.
- Reading exercises our brains.
- Reading improves our concentration.
- Reading teachers us the world around us.
- Reading improves vocabulary and language skills.
- Reading develops imagination.
- Reading develops empathy.
- Those who read do better at school/work.
- Reading gets you entertained.
- Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind.
Just by looking at people who are reading inspires others to read. I remember an experience six years ago while in Europe, from the airport to the train station, people were carrying books, some tablets for e-books. Almost everyone was just into the stories they were reading. I seldom see people reading in public places in Jeddah, so I was so happy to see that in another world, reading books still prevail. It honestly got me inspired to read again. To learn something new, to explore different writings, to see different views. I ended up buying a book (as a souvenir). 🙂
In the Bible, an instruction was given to meditate on it day and night, to be careful in doing what is in it, then you will be SUCCESSFUL and PROSPEROUS. =)
Some quotes about reading: =)
Start reading in WordPress DailyPost by bloggers around the world. I like reading other blogs using WordPress reader/ WordPress app for mobile.
If you are in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, you can join The Literary Girls Club or The Jeddah Book Club
There’s also a Jeddah Book Exchange page where you can swap your old books. Enjoy!
How about you? What drives you to read? If you don’t read, what are your reasons? This post about WHY WE DON’T READ and how to change it, will help you. =)
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I am a big reader since I am young. I don’t know if there is anything that drives me to read but I just love doing it! It stimulates the mind 🙂
airinaapril.blogspot.com
Same here! =) It stimulates my mind as well. It makes my mind work somehow. =)
I really don’t know what drive me to read–but When I’m 3 years old I start reading float-in-the-bathtub book (every unputdownable book should do this!) and I read comic when I’m 4-5 and I start read too big novel book, Thriller when I’m 8 years old and get more deep when i’m 12 years old, And I read everything in front of me 🙂 Now I start writing myself, Ask again for who–not what drive me to read, Maybe my parent who brought me to library and book shop almost everyday and buys a tons of books for me, Thanks for them 🙂 and Thanks for you wonderful blog too.
You are such a reader! =) You started early. Parents have really great influence on how kids love reading. =) I’m doing the same with my kids. I try to surround them with books, help them love reading. =)
That’s true 🙂
I’m not a bookworm but I love reading books too. I read when I need to kill time or if I want to learn something new. I prefer inspirational books and sometimes loves stories, yung hindi sasakit ulo ko sa pagbasa. hehehe!
Ako din if I want to learn something new or just for a change minsan. 🙂
Both my parents were into reading so I guess it came naturally to me, or maybe it is in my genes, I don’t really know. But I know that reading is my window on the whole wide world. I come from Egypt and although it is not as closed as Jeddah, for me it is quite closed. I love to travel and explore the world, but when it is difficult to do that I just read a book and immediately it takes me to another world.
“I love to travel and explore the world, but when it is difficult to do that I just read a book ” Same here! Anyway, parents really have great influence on their child’s love for books. =)
My mom used to read my brother and me fairy tales at night. I loved it. Then when I learned to read, she refused to read anymore. I was forced to read because I can’t not know the story! Then I would sneak in to our maids’ quarters and read their Tagalog comics. I would read the “Quotable Quotes” of Reader’s Digest, then I would try to understand the jokes in “Laughter is the Best Medicine” portion, until I proceeded to the short stories. And so on and so forth. I would spend my allowance buying books, and second hand bookshops became my hangout. Sigh. What world of wonders are our books!
Parents have great roles in helping kids love reading/books. 🙂 I used to read tagalog comics and Reader’s Digest! 🙂
I love reading every kind of books. When I was a bit younger I would read Bible stories and is very fond of joining Bible quizzes at our church. This post reminds me of those times. Maybe I should open the Bible more again.
I started late as a reader too. I think the reason why I started reading novels back then was because I envied my cousins who read and talked about what they have read and I was left out. LOL! Then there was a time when I would visit Booksale almost everyday and not get out of there until I have a book or two to bring home and read. I haven’t been able to do this for quite some time now due to busy schedules but I am hoping to get back to reading and lose myself every now and then in the stories. 🙂
Had that experience being left out in the midst of readers as well.haha
Thank you so much for featuring our little club Gilian! I love everything about this post and especially the quotes you included. They were powerful!
Thank you Kausar! =) I’m not that available in meetings, but I read the posts. =) I love the idea that somehow there is a group here in Jeddah interested in reading books. =)
Awh thank *you*! Please feel free to drop by sometime! I’d love to see you! ^_^
I love reading! I love the feel of being in a different world just by flipping the pages of a book. But recently though due to hectic schedule, I’m guilty of not reading at least one book! But if reading an online interior decoration site is counted then I am a reader. 😀
I really enjoy reading because it helps me relax and get a lot of positive emotions and peace of mind.
It helps me relax, too. =)