Do you have a hobby that makes you feel less stressed when your world feels like it’s crumbling down? My hobby is reading. For me, reading is an escape from reality, a chance to explore a world that is unique and creative. According to Magnet Aba Therapy, “…it’s intriguing to note that reading, even for a mere six minutes, can lower stress levels by 68%…”
If you don’t know me already, I am a reader! I like to read books for fun. I know, it’s very shocking that people like to read for fun. But I truly believe that reading is a great escapism from all the stressors in our lives. According to Apex Aba, only 5% of adults worldwide are considered proficient readers. This means that only 5% of adults can accurately decode words and understand what they are reading. That is approximately 400 million people out of the 8 billion people on this planet.
I started reading in 2022. The first book that got me into reading was ‘It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover. Over time, I have found my reading taste and authors that I love. Some of my favorite genres are romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, and dark academia. The best thing about reading is that you can find many books that suit your liking. If you want a book with good twists and turns or a fantasy story about dragons and mythical creatures, there will be a book out there that you are looking for.
People should try reading because it makes me feel things and helps me understand different aspects of life. In a survey from the Pew Research Center, 29% of people say they enjoy reading because it allows them to learn new things, and 18% of readers enjoy reading because it challenges their thinking. Sometimes, reading isn’t just for fun. Some stories make you understand the world better and allow you to see things that you would never learn otherwise.
If you want to get into reading, here are some of my recommendations based on different genres. Some romance books I love are ‘Better Than the Movies’ by Lynn Painter, the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver, and any Lauren Asher book. Some mystery/thriller books I love are A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson, ‘The Whisper Man’ by Alex North, and ‘I Am Watching You’ by Teresa Driscoll.
