The Fireside Chats

I saw this posted on Facebook and decided I’d like to share. If you have a few minutes to spare…..I thought I’d go over the points found in the illustration. Please, feel free to discuss in the comments below if you wish to.

“A book is like a garden carried in a pocket.” (Chinese Proverb) = I don’t know about this one. I don’t have much of a green thumb (if I’m being honest). I think it’s metaphoric….that if you read, you’ll grow more as a person. Like taking care of a garden needs to happen in order for the garden to grow.

Exercises your brain = I’ve read before that some experts believe that reading does provide exercise for your brain. Like, if I’m reading a mystery, my brain will often try to figure out what’s going to happen before I get to the end of the book.

Provides knowledge and information = Some people read to learn something or educate themselves on a particular subject. Nothing wrong with that. Even if you aren’t in school anymore, there’s nothing wrong with learning something about a particular topic or subject.

Books are a good topic of conversation = This is one of my favorites. Books can give me a way to start a conversation with someone. I’ll see someone with a t-shirt that has something Harry Potter-ish on it and I’ll immediately begin talking to them about it.

Better writing skills = I’ve heard that reading helps with your writing skills. I can see how that would work. You can increase your own vocabulary just by reading and that, in turn, can help you with your own writing skills.

Reduces stress, puts you in a better mood = This is my absolute favorite. I’ve always read for entertainment purposes but since becoming an adult, reading has helped me with reducing my stress.

Great and free entertainment = Some people might watch tv or go to the movies for entertainment purposes. I, however, read for entertainment. That’s just what I do…..it’s what I’ve always done. It never started with a particular book. It’s something I’ve had my whole life, even before I was old enough to read on my one. The great thing about reading is it can be free if you use your local library. Just check out a book and return it later so you can pick out a new one.

Improves concentration and focus = Reading does require some concentration and focus. I can concentrate on a book because it’s something I enjoy doing.

Enriches the language and vocabulary = I believe this….I absolutely do. Even if you are learning for the specific reason of learning something, you can often learn some new vocabulary when you’re reading for fun.

Develops creativity = Just like how reading can help you with your writing skills, it can also help you with your creativity. Reading can stimulate a lot of things and this is just one of them. I’ve seen and heard where teachers have decorated their classrooms with things from different literature and I think that’s so cool.

Books pose questions to stimulate further reflection = There are some authors that can write a story good enough to stimulate your mind and make you think about things differently. Especially if you continue to talk about it long after you’ve finished the story.

Good for memory = I’ve read before that some experts think that reading is good for your memory, especially as you get older.

Books are a window to the world = Books can provide you with a better way to deal with the outside world, in some ways. Some of them are mentioned throughout this article.

Increase your ability to empathize with others = I agree. You see a particular character go through life, or at least a certain event in their life, and you get to watch that character react and grow throughout that ordeal. It’s like giving you a window into someone else’s life (even if that person is a fictional one).

Introduces to the unknown fantasy world = Yes. We’ve all been introduced to lots of new worlds thanks to the imagination of different authors. Whether is the wizarding world provided by J. K. Rowling or Narnia by C. S. Lewis or anything in between. I think this is what has helped me to relieve stress from everyday life…..it’s like giving your brain a vacation but you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.