I love reading more than most things in life. An afternoon with a good book and a cup of coffee is my happy place. It's one of the little things in life that is really one of the big things. People read for a variety of reasons: To learn things, to escape reality, to become better at something, to get lost in a story. It is truly amazing that the same hobby can be used for so many different things.
It blows my mind when I meet people who say they don't like to read. I can't imagine living in a world that didn't include reading...my very earliest memories include stories of some kind, and books have been a part of my life ever since. I could write forever about all of the reasons I love to read (and think everyone else should, too), but I think my love for books boils down to three main reasons.
1. An entire assortment of worlds exist, just waiting for you to discover them. When you read, you visit more worlds than just your own. You travel to places you may never get the chance to go. You meet people you would have never known existed. You experience magical things without ever having to leave your hometown.
Life can sometimes become so mundane, and we're quick to complain about how we feel stuck and need an adventure. Sure, it'd be nice to peace out of work on a Tuesday afternoon and catch a flight somewhere exotic, but chances are, your boss thinks that's frowned upon.
While you may not be able to shake things up with an adventure across the globe, you can dive into an adventurous book when you get home. And still make it to work the next day. It's a win-win.
2. Whether you have 10 minutes or an entire afternoon, you can lose yourself in a good book. I love that reading is a hobby that you don't have to dedicate a whole day to--but you totally can. I love making crafts, but if I have a ten minute break, I can't really jump in on the middle of a craft project, spend ten minutes, leave it, and then be able to pick back up that night right where I left off. Too messy. But with reading, you can jump in and out whenever you have time.
3. It's impossible to read a book without learning something. Even if it was a terrible book, chances are, you learned something, no matter how small. It doesn't have to be a non-fiction biography to be educational--sometimes fiction books are the best teachers of all.
Why do you love reading?
