READ!!!

 

“Read a good book lately?” That’s often a topic of conversation among my friends. I love books, but it’s hard for me to sit very long. I probably listen to as many books as I read, although I’m not sure that counts as “reading.” It’s more like “experiencing” a book.

I’m married to a booka holic, and I’m jealous. I was the English teacher, yet Jerry, a retired science teacher, reads at least a book a week, often two. I, on the other hand, keep myself so busy I barely manage to get through two books a month. We’re both ahead in the game, though, according to a recent world reading survey. (Google: World Reading Habits 2021.) Interestingly, Americans are reading 25 percent more than they did last year, yet 23 percent of us haven’t read even one book in the past 12 months. Let’s see—I’ve probably read 24 books this past year, and I imagine Jerry has devoured over 60. Surprisingly, young adults (18-49) read more regularly than those of us over 50, even though we retirees enjoy considerable free time. Hmmm…

Reading is fun, and it also helps to strengthen your brain, eases stress, and can improve your sleep. Photo courtesy of Ann Mershon

More women are readers than men (but only by 5 percent), which might explain why Romance is the most popular genre. Crime and Mystery books come in second, with only about half as many sales. Worldwide, 61% of generations prefer fiction to non-fiction.

We don’t compare well to Europeans, who are avid bookworms. European book readers spend more than an hour a day reading, while Americans average 6.6 minutes per day—now that’s disturbing (though note that their statistic is narrowed to “readers” when the American statistic is an average).

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” George R.R.

Martin is right. Reading expands our horizons, exposing us to people, issues, and philosophies beyond our own experiences.

So, what’s a good read? I’m drawn to well-written novels with interesting characters. My two favorite books of all time are Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockinbird, and a historical novel about Turkey, Birds Without Wings, by Louis De Bernieres. In the past few years, these have been my favorites:

Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer (memoir)

The Secret Diary of Henrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old, by Henrik Groen

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman

Jerry, who has more eclectic tastes, has raved about these recent reads:

The Narrow Journey to the Deep North, by Richard Flanagan (Man Booker Prize)

The City We Became, by N.K. Jemison (science fiction)

Deacon King Kong, by James McBride

Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy

Jerry and I listen to audio books on long drives, too, and we’re hooked on James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux series set in Louisiana. Burke is a gifted writer, and his reader, Will Patton, has a smooth southern drawl perfect for these mysteries.

Whatever you choose to read, whether it be books, magazines, or newspapers, you can be assured that reading will strengthen your brain, ease your stress, improve your sleep, and even lengthen your lifespan.

Good reason to renew my resolution to read at least a half hour every day. And you?