Reading is FUN-damental
The decline in reading among today’s younger generations has been well documented. The ubiquity of electronic devises, including computers, tablets, mobile phones and televisions provide easy outlets for our youth to forsake books in favor of screen time activities. Social and mass media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube and Netflix divert our youth’s attention to time consuming distractions which often have little or no redeeming educational value. And parents are often complicit in this generational shift in the choice of leisure time activities. Adults can be equally guilty of excessive dependence on screen time activities, immersing themselves in front of their devices instead of picking up a book in their free time.
Reading is a critical component in the development of a young mind. Reading provides mental stimulation and critical exercise for the brain. It can help to reduce stress. As you become engrossed in a story, the world tends to slip away, and you travel mentally to a different realm. On more practical terms, reading sharpens analytical skills, enhances memory, and expands vocabulary. It helps improve focus and concentration while upgrading writing skills. In short, to become a smarter, more well-rounded and more creative person, pick up a book and start reading today!
It’s important to develop good reading habits. These skills will last a lifetime and help to make the most of your reading time. Choose a quiet location that is free from distractions. Find a good, comfortable chair and read in a sitting position. Set up a schedule and set aside a block of time specifically for your reading activities. Try to read a little every day and increase the amount of your reading time as you progress.
Here is list of some of my favorite book (in no particular order):
- The Great Gatsby, Scott Fitzgerald
- 1984, George Orwell
- Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
- The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- Charlotte’s Web, B. White
- The Lord of the Flies, William Golding
- Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert Heinlein
- The Alchemist, Paul Coelho
- Nightfall (short story), Isaac Asimov
Happy Reading!!
Written by Daniel C. Ng, English language man-of-letters, December 2022