Where have all the books gone?

Books are everywhere and have been around for hundreds of years. It’s crazy what our minds can come up with, and being able to create amazing ideas in your own mind, and capturing it into a story for everyone else to see. There are writers who can create an image in the mind as if it is happening in real life just by the way that they have put it into words.  

So, if books are so amazing, why are there not more people reading books? Some of the common reasons are;

Some people’s opinions are that they are ‘boring’. Personally, I believe they just haven’t found the right book for them. Books are not all the same, there is one somewhere for everybody, you just need to keep giving them a try to find the genre for you.

They just don’t have time. With many people, reading is something that is in the far distant of their minds. There is always something else to do before you even think about picking up a book. Of course, many teenagers or young adults have college or university that they must focus on, along with this they have work they must do at home or in their spare time. Some also have part time jobs, and try and squeeze socialising in where possible. It doesn’t get much better when you become an adult and have a full-time job, working as many hours possible just to pay the bills. It doesn’t end when you get home, you cook dinner, do housework, and look after the family, by the time you get to sit down it’s late and you should be getting sleep to do it all again the next day. It is important to have some time out to help you ‘recharge’ both mentally and physically. Setting aside half an hour to just read is an effective way to take your mind away from all the stress. This can be done in the morning, evening or even on your lunch break while you eat. You can also read while on the train, bus, or car.

Books are too expensive. You might think books are expensive but you probably spend the same or even more on other things that may not give you joy. But with a book you can read in the comfort of your own home then sell them if you no longer require the book, or swap with someone for a different book. You can also buy audio books and e-books which are cheaper than a hardback, and you can keep on your phone and take anywhere... In some cases, you might enjoy the book so much you will reread it more than once.

So why read? No matter how busy we are, we should always find time to read. Not just for the pleasure of getting transported to another world, but because there are many health benefits as well. Studies have shown that regular reading time helps to stimulate the brain, relieve stress, and even improve your problem-solving skills and concentration levels. And a healthy mind is a happy mind.

The feeling of getting lost in a book, and allowing your mind to imagine what it’s like to be the character is a wonderful thing. And I believe we shouldn’t let these excuses stop us from reading books.