If you’re deciding whether or not to let books consume your life — here let me help you: CHOOSE THE BOOKS.
Reading is absolutely guaranteed to make your life infinitely better. Listen to me because I know everything. I am a certified know-it-all and there’s no one else you should go to for advice. Just me. It’s truth.
Now I know * you’re sitting there scrolling through my blog and frowning slightly and saying “But, Cait, aren’t you going to back up your statements with proof?” Well, you little skeptical grapefruit, yes I do have proof. I have a list for you of 10 reasons reading will absolutely improve your life. So if you’re hesitating about (A) selling your liver/sister for more books; (B) throwing caution to the wind and letting books take over your life/soul/face; or (C) taking the first steps to becoming a fledgling bookworm — then this is the post for you.
And if you already know reading improves your life, then this post is here to pat you on the back ** and say “Good job, smol wonderful child of the pages. You are wise.”
* See?? I KNOW IT ALLLLLL.
** Which I doubt would be a comforting thing, because if my blog has animated and started patting people on the back then, good sir, please get up and scream and run.
1. YOU WILL THINK TO DO THINGS YOU’VE NEVER THOUGHT OF BEFORE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THOUGH-THIEVERY…BUT WHATEVER.
You know how hard it is to have original thoughts? VERY HARD. Why do you think it’s so fun to quote movies??? It’s so we don’t have to think up things to say. We can save our precious braincells.
And this is where glorious books come in: you now have an infinite collection of pre-thunk ideas to put into action.
Like seriously, I would never have thought to fight for the right of scrambled eggs for all meals (The Fault in Our Stars) or eat an unreasonable amount of blue food (thanks Percy Jackson) or considered keeping a wild flesh-eating horse for a pet (thanks The Scorpio Races) until I started reading BOOKS. Now look at me. I’m eating blue scrambled eggs while reading on a deathly horse all the time.
Books are VERY inspiring.
2. YOU HAVE AN EXCUSE NOT TO GO PLACES NOW.
I realise some people do actually like to go places (which is weird and confusing) but there comes a time in EVERYONE’S LIFE where they just want to stay home. And now, if you are deep into the bookworm life, you have reasonable and believable excuses.
Which include:
- I can’t come, this book is due back at the library and I have to finish it.
- I can’t come, because there’s a book in my bag and this activity involves water and I can’t get my book wet.
- I can’t come because I can’t carry my bookshelf with me. My shelf has separation anxiety. Must stay with it.
- I can’t come, my book bit me and I need to stay home and nurse my wounds.
- I can’t come, because I’m buried under the 845 books on my TBR and who knows when I’ll dig myself out???
- I can’t come, I’m entertaining “guests” (code name: books).
- I can’t come, I have bookmail due to arrive and if I don’t pick it up at the door I think the universe might explode. Don’t know for sure, but who wants to take that risk???
3. READING GIVES YOU A TON OF INSTANT FRIENDS.
All you need to do is put two people on twitter who’ve both said, “Well, yes, I’m totally obsessed with Game of Thrones” and — BOOM — they’ll be instant friends! They’ll be discussing theories, the actors’ hair on the show, and finale predictions until dawn and probably be married * in two days time.
And we all know, discussing Game of Thrones HAIR ** will definitely improve your life.
* Just don’t let it be a RED WEDDING BETWEEN YOU BOTH OMG.
** Jon Snow’s is the most glorious, obviously. But we won’t deny the majesty of Sansa Stark or Dani’s hair either.
4. YOU WILL BECOME FABULOUS AT MULTI-TASKING, WHICH IS A GRAND LIFE SKILL THAT MANY WILL ADMIRE YOU FOR. SO #WIN.
Because bookworms multitask all the time. It ranges from simple multitasking, like reading + stirring soup. All the way to reading + helping your friend bury a body. Everything is entirely possible with a book in hand, and if you think it’s not, then you’re just not being creative enough.
The only thing you probably SHOULDN’T do while reading is ordering more books. Because pay 100% attention to your new children, is all I’m saying.
5. READING GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO AT ALL TIMES.
Plus it’s constructive. So it’s not like you’re stuck waiting in line to buy your first pet zebra with nothing to do for hours and hours. NO! You have a book. This is perfectly helpful for travelling or holidays or when (God forbid) your WiFi goes down. And, provided it’s a physical book, it’s something that doesn’t need electricity which means you are NEVER without something to do.
6. READING HELPS YOU DISCOVER A TON OF THINGS THAT SERIOUSLY ANNOY YOU THAT YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT BEFORE.
Before becoming a bookworm, WHO KNEW that I had such an issue with stickers on books??? Stickers on books are like the most evil abhorrent idea to ever crawl out of the darkest pits of Tartarus and WHOEVER THOUGHT OF THEM NEEDS BE POSTED TO JUPITER WITH NO SNACKS AT ALL EVER AGAIN. THE END.
I always thought I was pretty easy going but hahahhhaah no. I’m an uptight squirrel. Bless books for bringing this to my attention.
7. READING RAISES AWARENESS FOR ISSUES YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE CONSIDERED BEFORE.
I honestly do get caught up in my own little world and forget that the rest of the universe is exploding like cakepops dropped into a Volcano due to unresolved and unfair issues. Reading has educated me a lot. Which is just the best thing ever. Sure I don’t live in a blissful unaware bubble anymore…but I’d rather know things about this muddy planet I’m on.
Reading has helped me be more respectful of others. I’m more aware about phrases that are direct culturally ingrained sexism, or I now realise that no one treats magical talking skeletons fairly and they have to cover up who they are. It’s abominable. These issues have become close to my heart — THANKS TO BOOKS.
8. READING MAKES YOUR HOUSE LOOK COOLER.
A HOUSE FULL OF BOOKS LOOKS FREAKING SPECTACULAR AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE. You show me a photo of someone’s personal library and I will just holler at your face with adoration over it. I don’t want walls. I want bookshelves, everywhere.
9. READING WILL HELP YOU TAKE MORE RISKS AND LIVE A MORE EXCITING LIFE.
Whoever thinks bookworms are “boring” has clearly never stacked 98 books on their TBR in perfectly precarious balance and LIVED TO TALK ABOUT IT. Reading is never boring. We go on mental adventures while diving into delicious prose. And then we go on physical adventures which include going to bookstores or figuring out how to fit 8 books into a place where only 2 should really go.
10. READING WILL CAUSE YOU TO GROW AS A PERSON.
Especially if you pile up a modest stack of hardcover books and then stand on them. TA-DA. YOU GREW! This is immensely helpful for vertically challenged people (aka myself) and young people who can’t reach tall shelves. 10/10 would recommend using books to help you grow as a person.
Oh, and also, like, grow on the inside with maturity and understanding. But that’s just a teeny tiny thing.
Reading DEFINITELY improves my life. I agree with all of your reasons, except the one about finding more annoying things. What I like to do is take books (at least 2) just in case everywhere, so that I can travel in books and irl. (I mean, occasional accidents do happen. I didn’t mean to tread on my e-reader in a dark tent or drop the Hobbit in a glacial mountain stream…. whoops) I’ve learnt a lot about history and science from reading for sure. I have made reading friends–like there’s someone who I met when I was 12 and went through my 5 day twilight phase (yes, I read all of the books in 5 days) and we were instant friends and still are though our book taste HAS changed a little. I also think that books improve your life by helping you to think in different ways (critical thinking) and vocabulary (though pronounciation is something else) and understand the ‘citizens of the earth’ better (though you sorta covered that…)
You dropped The Hobbit down a glacial mountain stream? OKAY THAT IS AN AWESOME STORY I WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT.😂 And that’s awesome about your Twilight-friend (and I seriously admire you going through them all so fast…those books are huge?! DEDICATED LITTLE BOOKWORM YOU ARE.) And critical thinking is definitely handy *nods* as is vocabulary although I swear I just know these epic sounding words but I mess up saying them all. the. time.😂
AHHH THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I’VE USED NEEDING TO GO TO THE LIBRARY AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO GO TO THE SUPERMARKET……but I learn so many things from books that I probably don’t actually need to know, but sometimes in weird places they come in handy! BUT DAMN DO BOOKS LOOK AMAZING IN A HOUSE….people want a selfie, I just give them a shelfie.
I mean, when it comes to selfie vs shelfie….is there EVEN ANY DOUBT TO WHAT THE RIGHT ONE IS? *falls in love with all the shelfies on bookstagram of ever omg* 😍😍
And I basically pick the library over going anywhere ever.😂 I mean, FOOD IS GREAT, but omg books.
Reading improves your vocab! An underrated benefit of reading, especially of reading older stuff.
Reading can also help you mature, and it can help develop your empathy.
Oh yes to the first! Although sometimes I think reading doesn’t help me SPEAK my new found vocabulary because I end up knowing epic words and mispronouncing them hugely.😂 And yeS! Reading is great for developing us as people like I said in my #10 point. *nods* It’s an excellent side-effect of devouring books.🎉🎉
Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more awesomer HERE YOU COME WITH THIS FABULOUS LIST. *sigh*
I like literally ALWAYS want to stay home. Those books aren’t going to read themselves and my years in this planet are limited despite what many of them books try to tell me.
Also definitely yes to everything else!!!!! (Obviously probably)
Astounding people with my awesome is like my #1 skill in life. *flips hair majestically* 😂
AND OMG I KNOW RIGHT?!??! These books need our love and affection. They need it badly. WE MUST BE HERE FOR THEM. *hugs all the books*
Ah, Cait, you are a funny one. I particularly liked the reasons for not being able to go somewhere. Very good. I have told many a friend that I cannot leaveth mine house because the book needs reading and I cannot therefore go into the outside. No decoration is better than a book, also! I love walking into people’s houses and then going OH LOOK BOOKS because then I know that they are a good human for housing so many books. Tis a great judge of character.
It’s not OUR FAULT our bookshelves have fragile souls and don’t like to be left alone. We have to keep them emotionally stable and if that means avoiding inflicting separation anxiety onto them? So be it. WE’RE JUST DOING THE RIGHT THING BY OUR SHELVES.
And bookshelves are the best decorations. Like why do we need any other furniture, omg. Just shelves.😍
I love this list! I especially like the one about reading getting you out of going places. I’m always trying to get myself out of going places so that I can read, but I always try and pretend that’s not what I’m doing. But now I know it’s perfectly acceptable to tell people you can’t go somewhere because you can’t leave your shelf unattended! 😀
YES! YOU ARE NOW FREE TO TELL PEOPLE THESE TRUTHS! I assure my family all the time that my bookshelf can’t be left alone or it starts crying. Poor thing. It has a fragile and delicate constitution and I must be here to lend it emotional stability. #legit
Yes, yes and yes to all of these. I have a friend who has become one of my best friends because we’re in the same fandom and none of our other friends are. Mm, they live sad lives… But seriously, she must be the only other human I interact with in anyway. I mean come on, who needs non-bookwormish friends? I must start converting my schoolmates soon before they are overwhelmed by the *shudders* mortal world.
I actually like meeting up with my friends because I live in the middle of nowhere so I have to take a bus to meet up with them, and bus = reading so YAY.
Simi
Yessss to fandom friends!! I’ve made a ton of friends just through fandoms and omg there’s just so much to relate to and discuss, right?! HUZZAH FOR FANDOM FRIENDS. Non-bookworm friends are just confusing. What do they even do with their free time?? Rob graves or banks or something?? Sheesh.
6,7,9,10 are definitely me.
Reading helped me open up for sure. I was horribly isolated in my first year of uni and I became really good friends with another girl in a Classical studies course (Greek and Roman mythology) since we both took it because we were obsessed with Percy Jackson.
Reading helps with my writing. Expands my vocabulary and I find that it helps the words come out faster and less like word vomit. UGH THANK YOU BOOKS
Mutual Percy Jackson obsession is a GLORIOUS thing to bring together friends. That’s so so awesome!! And omg yes reading is endlessly good for writing. I definitely wouldn’t be the writer I am today if I hadn’t spent my childhood climbing bookshelves and eating all the words of ever. GOOD TIMES.
Cool post Cait. Totally agree for all of them. Reading help me go through my depressing or painful period in my life. It made me realize I am not alone and I can overcome my problems 🙂
Oh I relate to that too!! Reading is so epically wonderful for finding fictional friends who know what we’re going through. <3 I'm glad you had books there for you!!
This is such a great list! Reading has definitely improved my life! And I agree with all of your reasons!! I love the one about having books as an excuse not to go to places, because THAT IS SO ACCURATE. The one about your house looking cooler is a pretty awesome reason, too 🙂
I’M GLAD YOU APPROVE.🎉 I mean, it must be a well known fact that a house full of books is the most beautiful kind of house there is, right?? So much nice.😍
Oh I love this one! I think this is my favourite post by you yet, Cait! One of the ways in which reading has changed my life is possibly just the thought of having books all over the place. I love how they’re like a portable home, so when you’re in a strange place or situation all you have to do is pick up a book and escape into its familiarity. It’s brilliant.
AWW, THANK YOU!! 🎉🎉🎉 This really makes my day, thankyou!! And YES to the fact that they’re portable little homes. It’s like portable magic and it’s beautiful and precious.😍 *buries self in books*
Yes I totally agree. *nods* I have tried the trick of ‘I am reading a book so can’t come’ infinite times but my parents ALWAYS drag me everywhere. (Life sucks basically) Plus I get the instant friend thing too! If someone came to talk to me in real life, I would just not know what to say and scare that person away, (introvert tendencies) but if I start talking about books, God only knows when I would stop😂
AGh to those people who don’t listen when our bookshelves are crying due to neglect. WE NEED TO HEED THEM AND STAY WITH THEM?? THEY ARE OUR CHILDREN??? #priorities And YES it’s just so much easier to talk about books than anything else of ever basically.😂
Dude yesss I love it when I read a book and I just like dive into it and never fully emerge…thank you books for ripping me apart and drowning me. xD
BOOKS ARE SO NICE. They provide us with friendship and love and encouragement and absolutely stab us in the heart. <3 GOOD TIMES.
I love that moment when you realise that someone likes the same book/tv show/film as me and you both explode in questions about favourite characters. :’)
Reading is totally adventurous! I have found worlds in the back of my wardrobe, discovered new lands at the tops of trees, and battled gods, all without leaving the safety of the sofa. 😉
YESSS THAT IS SUCH A BRILLIANT MOMENT!! I’ve definitely made friends just on fandom love alone.😂 And omg so true about all the work and adventuring we do. This is exactly why bookworms deserve more cake. #bookwormlogic
I love this post! and books have made me do things I never would have before. for example, reading Percy Jackson has led me to keeping an eye out for monsters at all times*, my siblings and I all wearing our camp half blood t-shirts out and confusing poor people who haven’t read those glorias books, I have armor in my closet, and I practice with my nerf reble bow in case I get called on a quest, and thanks to Percy Jackson’s greek gods,** if we ever go to yellow stone, we’re going to yell at old faithful. XD
and in the other comment, I forgot something important. Keeper of the lost cities has the BEST treats. there’s like a new treat in every book. Mallow melt, custerd bursts, and ripple fluffs are the only ones I can remember right now. THEY SOUND SO TASTY!!
Most crazily, ~Olive
*I saw some! when we were visiting a city, I saw a guy with smoke comeing out of his mouth, and he didn’t have a cigerete anywhere. and another time, we were driving by a pond, and I saw a big dark thing sticking out of the water, and when I turned for a better look, there was nothing. O_O
**very fun. don’t read it out loud.
https://www.amazon.com/Percy-Jacksons-Greek-Gods-Riordan/dp/1484712374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479557933&sr=8-1&keywords=percy+jacksons+greek+gods
YOU ARE THE TRUEST PERCY JACKSON FAN OF EVER OMG. THAT’S AMAZING.😂 I seriously need some armour….what am I doing with my life…
And AHHH. They sound delicious also!!
Awesome post!! I really like #8 – my goal is to have bookshelves in every room of my house eventually. Well, maybe not the bathroom since the dampness wouldn’t be good for them LOL.
That’s my goal too. 😍😍 I’m going to have a different room per genre *nods* And epic fantasy will be in the kitchen because that describes my cooking skills also.
Bahaha!! Too funny :). My hubby built me 40 feet of bookshelves in the basement years ago, and I don’t think he ever thought I would fill them. How silly non-readers are right? And obviously I couldn’t spell my name earlier today.
Okay but Cait, I have to ask. Do you actually HONESTLY stand on your books???? Because to me that’s like an abomination… now I am not vertically challenged AND MAYBE I’M JUST CONCERNED THAT I WILL SQUASH MY BOOKS but seriously, I need to know if you actually REALLY stand on your books.
YES I HAVE HONESTLY STOOD ON MY BOOKS. I posted it on instagram but it was a while back. DO I need to do a re-run of my book standing for you? 😉 BECAUSE I WILL.
WELL YOU DON’T NEED TO PROVE IT TO ME, I WAS JUST CURIOUS, BUT NOW I’M CURIOUS TO SEE THAT PICTURE SO SURE XD
FOR YOU, ANYTHING, MY DEAR. 😜
Definitely point 7 and 10!
In fact, the most rude and ignorant people I have ever met never read a book in their life or “cant’ read”. Yes, I don’t really know how people “can’t read” and being literate at the same time.
Or when they read only a certain type of books and they belive that they have the answer of everything in their hands.
Or when they read, they do that like three or few more times in the year.
It’s sad to say that two of my dearest friend are like that, and in fact they lack of empathy and awerness when it comes to something that is outside their range. We usually got into huge discussions about this kind of things, and only once in a fight.
But when I entered this community I was so relived to find more people like me, even if I’m not exactly the most friendly and sociable type XD
I do think reading really helps us bookworms be more empathetic!! And I think it helps us realise there are more sides to every story, which is very helpful for dealing with people IRL. I’m sad about your friends, but I totally understand. 🙁 I know people like that too. *sigh* AT LEAST THE INTERNET IS HERE TO FLAIL BOOKS WITH YOU!
Honestly I didn’t even know book blogging was a thing, and now that I do, I can’t believe I didn’t before, and am so grateful I found it!!! Where I live, there just aren’t many people who are into the same subjects I am (especially when it comes to reading), and it’s soooo satisfying to find a place/community where people totally get it if I hated this book or cried forever about the end to a certain series. And people who get that there are good and bad ways to interpret that comment, even better!!!
I spent about 2 years blogging before I discovered the niche of book blogging. NOW I SHALL NEVER GO BACK.😊 My people are here. *flails around happily* And the best part about the internet is there’s always someone who’ll get what you feel/think about a bookish topic. IT’S SO AWESOME.
Your blog posts are always my favourite to read!
Aww, thankyou! THIS MAKES MY DAY. 😊😊
Hahaha brilliant list of reasons Cait, of course. Thank you for patting me on the back for my life choises. I feel SO much better now. Absolutely. And the biggest way reading has improved my life is the friends thing. I used to think, back when I was a small sad lonely grape in high school, that I was the only person in the universe to adore reading so much. BUT I WAS WRONG. Cause I found Goodreads and I was like WOAH. I’M NOT ALONE YAY. And now I has friends. CAN YOU IMAGINE??
You are welcome. I’M HERE TO BE KIND. (Like sometimes?? I have to be kind to make up for how mean I am when I’m writing, mwahhaah. #logic) And I’m the same with being a lone reader as a teen!! I got made fun of for reading so much and I ended up backing off on my reading?! UGH TO SMALL!CAIT SHE WAS SO DELUDED. I’m so glad the internet exists to say we bookworms are not alone. <3
The thing I love is reading improoves cultural learning and languages.
My case because I also read in english and I hope to start reading in french soon
You read in multiple languages….OMG YOU QUEEN OF READING AND ALL THE WORLD. I BOW TO YOUR SKILLS.
Oh Cait! This is such a beautiful post!! I agree 100% with every point! I have to carry at least 2 books wherever I go ..And oh my I multitask with books all the time 😛 I read books when I’m vacuuming, I read when am eating ( But I prop up the book with other books a little away from me so I don’t spill anything on it) , I read when talking on the phone (I just keep repeating uhuh, hmm and oh yeah to the person am talking to ’cause well books are more important!! 😀 ) And I hate stickers on books too! I mean why would anyone blemish such a beautiful being with anything sticky?? And reading has given me so many friends!! I mean honestly speaking I doubt I have more than 2 non-reading friends and I’ve also found so many amazing people online because we love the same books!! Oh my, this post is making me grin like the Cheshire cat 😀 😛 Might even shed a few happy tears 😛 You’re awesome Cait 🙂 If we meet someday, I’m making you cake! I make amazing caramel cakes and butterscotch cupcakes 😀 🙂
Oh I admire you for reading + eating!! That’s something I nearly always fail at still.😂 Obviously I just need to eat and read more #CLEARLYWINNING And ugh the person who decided putting stickers on books was a good idea needs to be relocated OFF THIS PLANET immediately and glared at most fiercely. I am so displeased.
And eeep, finding fellow bookworms online to flail over is MY FAVOURITE THOUGH. <3
OMG THIS CAKE SOUNDS DELICIOUS. LEMME SUMMON MY DRAGONS IMMEDIATELY AND I SHALL COME TO YOU FOR THIS CAKE.
How do you keep your eggs from turning green when you put the blue dye in?
Umm…did you mean to comment this here?
Yeah. You said books inspired you to make blue food aka blue eggs but when I try to make blue eggs they turn green. Is this not normal?
OH. Well, that part was a joke.😉 Just so you know I do a lot of joking on my blog! Sorry if it comes across as I’m being serious!
I love this post so, so much! Reading definitely improved my life for the best, and it taught me SO much and there are just SO many books to read and worlds to discover. Also, I love how books brought me here, to blogging, and to find amazing friends and people to scream with about the latest character we love. And books everywhere in the house? YES PLEASE, this is my dream <3
Fantastic post! <3
So. much. YES to all of this, Marie!! *hi fives* I can’t believes how much books have changed my life and jafkdsla they truly have really influenced who I am as a person. <3 It's glorious.
And I want to live in a library. A PRIVATE LIBRARY ALL FOR ME. #goals
love this! definitely agree with numbers 4 and 6! Stickers on books are the actual WORST. I was just thinking about that this morning, in fact! I always fail in my attempts to read while doing something else at the same time! It always ends with me spilling something on myself, but I will always try!
Your blog posts always brighten my day up!
UGH THEY ARE PURE EVIL. Whoever thought they were a good idea needs to be banned from planet earth and glared at most fiercely. *commences a small bookworm tantrum*
(Omg but I always fail reading and eating too. But that just means we need more practise right?!? MORE FOOD. MORE BOOKS. MORE WIN.)
YES to all of these reasons. I particularly LOVE the one where I can’t get my book wet. Books are the perfect reason for staying home FOREVER. (Except for work, sigh).
Also yesx10000000 for books teaching me stuff. I’ve learnt so much about mental health, racism, sexuality by reading. Things I would otherwise be ignorant of are now things I’m educated on and that’s AMAZING.
This is the most bizarre thing, but whenever I leave my books I DO MISS THEM. I worry for them. I don’t want them to be stolen. WHICH IS CRAZY because books are HEAVY. But I love my collection and the thought of anything happening to them kills me. So, sadly, I DO MISS MY BOOKS.
Yayyy we are in agreement *hi fives* STAY HOME! SAVE THE BOOKS! SENSIBLE! I also adore how much I’ve learnt through reading too.😍 Books truly do make us better people.
(And omg I actually totally know what you mean. I miss my books too! And I get super paranoid when I take my books out because I’m worried about ruining the covers…which may or may not have happened to a seriously mangled copy of Divergent during a camping trip.😭)
But Cait, the only thing we can’t do while reading is to eat blueberries or grapes or chocolate, unless we want stained books (guilty). Seriously are there any cons to reading? Aside from taking over our lives of course. I love the bookish community and the different adventures we go on and highlighting issues that we didn’t know of before. Reading is the BEST <3
OKAY THAT IS TRUE. I actually have not managed to learn to eat + read successfully. Arghgh. And apparently neither has most people who read library books because omg I think someone dropped their entire dessert all over this last library book I was reading. Or else murdered someone.😂 BUT I DIGRESS.
The bookish community is wonderful. <3 Sometimes scary.😂 But mostly wonderful!
Oh yes, stickers on books are horrible, as are fingerprints…. there are some covers that just show up every fingerprint and I want to read the book but I don’t want to tough it….. But Books also helps you write better, and can inspire you to write a story of your own even though you doubt it could ever be up to the amazingness of some of those books that inspire you.
Oh oh like glossy covers? YES. They are agony to photograph as well. Like I try to be nice and photograph all books equally but when it comes to those darn glossy covers…*goes away to weep*
And YES books are the best teachers of writing. They are 1000% to blame for me being a writer.😂
REASONS YOU SHOULDN’T READ BOOKS
1. They’re dangerous. And probably illegal *nods* Some countries even ban books, so those things MUST be awful, right? RIGHT??
2. They make you think. Thinking – well everyone knows if you think too hard your brain can overheat and yeah….it’s just safer to keep that book closed. DON’T DO IT KIDS!
3. They say never judge a book by its cover. Those pretty books are just there to tempt you into cracking open those fresh new pages all smelling of ink and dead trees. Ew. Dead trees. Go watch some daytime telly instead…..
NAH, just kidding – books are awesome. But book stickers are little things of evil and need to be destroyed. Especially when they stick sticky evil stickers to WONDERFUL book covers like the Pure Dead Magic purple velvet cover, or the gorgeous green Peculiar Tales hardback. It just makes me weep and rage.
OMG YOU’RE SO RIGHT. WE SHOULD ALL STOP READING IMMEDIATELY. IMAGINE IF WE ALL STARTED THINKING TOO MUCH. *collective gasp of horror* 😂
Reading has improved my imagination! I can see things so much clearer in a book than in a movie or a screen. I love books because I can lose myself in them. Its nice to leave the confines of this world and live somewhere where there are no rules. I have learned many things from books, some things my parents may or may not find disturbing. Who cares *shrug*. I’ve learned about history through historical fiction, I’ve learned about other nationalities, mental illness’s, monsters, superpowers, and how to take down evil rulers. You know, the basics. I’ve made you as a friend through books. I don’t really know anyone who loves the same books as me. Sometimes I can trick my mom and sister into reading a book I’ve read. My sister stole my copy of The Book Thief recently. I went into her room and was looking at her bookshelf, and was like “This is mine, why is it on your bookshelf?!” She hasn’t read it or seen the movie, so I will let her read it, but I want it back. Sometimes I talk to librarians about books. One time one really wanted to recommend me a book, probably because I kept getting in her way while she was trying to shelve books. Her first 20 suggestions I had read. Hah! She eventually helped me find one, I didn’t like it though. But its the thought that counts.
Oh learning disturbing things from books is ALWAYS SUPER FUN.😈 I mean, wait wait…I mean, we bookworms like to learn NICE and KIND things and we are never ever DISTURBING.😇😇😂 Ahem.
Aww, but I’m glad to have met you through books and blogging too, you wonderful bookworm friend you!! I’m trying to trick my sister into reading Harry Potter but she’s only on book 2 and it’s SLOW GOING. It’s hard being around non-bookworms omg. But I suppose your sister stealing The Book THIEF is sort of wonderful irony right there.😂
I haven’t had a librarian recommend me books yet but they do seem worried that I won’t be able to read all the ones I borrow. POOR DEARS. THEY DO NOT KNOW ME.😂
My sister guilted me into reading Harry Potter. I wasn’t that into it though, because I’ve seen all the movies. I read up to HP bk 5. Then I quit. L
YES YES YES to errrrrythang on this list. While it does feel like you’ve travelled to a place and back without having to leave the comfort of your reading nook, I personally would want to travel to these amazing places and explore the culture, history and overall amazingness of a new city/country myself. Eg. Prague thanks to Laini Taylor!
Oh oh I want to go to Prague too!! Especially to that delicious cafe she described.😍
Those book stickers though! They might be okay if they came off easily, but they rip and gum up the cover. *glares at them*
I love this post 100%!
There is one other thing I might add to the list. Books provide an escape from reality, and that makes for a sort of coping mechanism. Life got you down? Read!
And then the ones that are like PERMANENTLY PRINTED to the covers?!? It is an evil tragedy that’s what it is.😭
Agree!! Reading helps you grow as a person. You discover so many new things – about diff countries, people, cuisines, everything. Have you noticed readers are the most sympathetic people in the world? Except for the occasional snobby ones who think only their reading list is the best and the other readers are worms.
Yes!! I did actually read an article that said readers were more empathetic and I think that’s AWESOME. Go us and our awesome skills. (We’ll just ignore the snobby elitist readers. They clearly need to read more widely.😂)
Why am I reading this post so late? What was i thinking! Seriously … Anyway at least I got to read it the moment I saw it just because I knew it will improve my day 🙂
Being a reader is one of the coolest things ever. And you are giving us some really good reasons for it. For me reading has always been a tool to keep my brain in working and doing something. Not just the imagination things which now is going out of control sometimes and people really think that I’m crazy because of the things that I can create thanks to my mind. But really sometimes my brain needs something different and more powerful than the ordinary things like reality. (I have nothing against it I even like it but let’s be honest fantasy worlds are way cooler and better or is actually depends whether you are stuck in a pre apocalyptic or even post sometimes and the world has gone out of its mind). And yeah I can’t think on anything else so as always amazing post and I’m waiting for the next one! 🙂
Awww, THIS MAKES ME SMILE. (And it’s only been up for like two days so you’re not even late!!😂)
And that’s so true about keeping the brain busy too! Which is very important. We must keep our little bookworm brains alert and sharp *nods sagely* (And fantasy is way better than reality to, I agree.😂)
As a fellow certified bookworm I ABSOLUTELY agree with yout reasons! 🙂
Reading has been part of my life since I was 6 years old and learnt how to read and I have been happy ever since. I am never bored while waiting/traveling – I take out my book/kindle and read. I constantly learn about new stuff and have interesting new topics for conversations with my family and friends. And yes, books are great decorations in my house!
Yessss. Childhoods of books obviously equal the BEST childhoods. :’) And I love how much books teach us! And it’s like a really fun and relatable way to learn. <3
jon snow’s hair is not the best.. I say Jamie Lannister’s golden mane is to die for. PS, when I go to someplace I hate, a book is more effective than a smartphone in blocking off people. Maybe because they are afraid I would ask them questions… like an examination XD
REaders rule
WELL WE SHALL AGREE TO DISAGREE, FRIEND, BECAUSE IT’S JON SNOW’S LOCKS ALL THE WAY. Although like Jamie Lannister’s hair is quite majestic, I won’t deny.😂 Basically the Game of Thrones hair is on point.
tue that
I relate with your #7 point. Reading has made me grown to be more tolerant to anyone and not judgmental without knowing their backgrounds. And it’s not necessarily fiction that has improved me, but reading in general. (Which, okay, started from fiction books.) I surely still have much to improve,
By the way Cait, this is completely off topic and I know you didn’t quite like movie adaptations, but Fantastic Beasts isn’t an adaptation and do you have any plan to see it??
It’s really awesome how that happens, right?! I really do stop to think about people’s untold stories instead of just immediately judging. *nods* LOVE BOOKS FOR MAKING US MORE EMPATHETIC.
(So I actually haven’t even seen the Harry Potter movies, haha. So probably won’t be seeing Fantastic Beasts!)
I have definitely used #10 on numerous occasions. Being (barely) 4′ 10″ and not expecting to grow anymore AT ALL, gluing particularly large books to my feet has practically become a necessity. They need to make books waterproof, because it snowed this morning and I am expected to partake in a massive family free-for-all snowball war later, and I WILL BE DROWNING IN THE TWO INCHES OF SNOW AND HOW WILL I SEE MY ENEMIES SO AS TO SMITE THEM?!?!
Ahem.
I love reading because almost all my friends ever don’t actually exist. *cries* It’s true. But what need have I for “real” friends? Percy Jackson will always cheer me up, Harry Potter will always lead me in a fun game of quidditch, and Sophronia Temminnick will always be there to poison my enemies’ tea and sneak werewolves into my closet and offer *fantastic* fashion advice, a la little Vieve.
Moving on.
As always, this post was hilarious and made me laugh. But I do have to ask: why would anyone need a reason to read? It’s clearly the only thing worth doing. (well, except maybe for eating syrup-drowned scrapple.)
Oh you are tiny! Hehe. I’m 5’1 so I shall be friends with you and stand next to you so I can feel tall for once. #logical 😂 (SORRY I SHOULDN’T BE TEASING YOU. I KNOW THE PAIN OF BEING SMALL. I DO. *short people hi five*)
And omg books make the perfect friends. They are non judgemental and always wonderful. Unless the author kills them off. WHICH IS NOT OKAY AT ALL.
I know right, though?! I’m just stating the obvious with this post. WHAT DO PEOPLE DO IF THEY DON’T READ???
AGREED. Books are awesome. When people tell me they don’t read or (even more so) when they tell me they didn’t read books when they were little I’m like o_o o_O O_O WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR LIFE? HOW ARE YOU A PERSON NOW? I just don’t get it. I am books, books are me.
Also the awareness raising, YES <3
I KNOW RIGHT?!? WHAT ON EARTH ARE THEY DOING WITH ALL THAT FREE TIME?!?! It’s suspicious tbh. Non readers are probably all master criminals or something. *nods because that’s the logical answer* 😂
reading DOES make you discover things you didn’t know you disliked. Like Insta-love. Never cared about it before but now: A book with insta-love gets inta-shot. I AIN’T EVEN KIDDING PEOPLE (okay, maybe with a water pistol because no guns allowed in Ireland thank God!).
The main reason I wouldn’t want books everywhere is because spiders might crawl over them at night. I’m sorry!
Reading has improved my vocab. Yeppity yepp
Inst-shot…omg so accurate.😂 Or like insta-smothered? That can work too *nods*
AND OMG I UNDERSTAND THE SPIDER PAIN. I’ve actually crushed a spider with a book once, but it had a plastic cover on so it was safe but that shows how terrified of spiders I am. aghghghh *shrieks*
“Reading gives you an excuse not to go places.” HAHA SO TRUE! It’s also an excuse to do things you should be doing, but really don’t want to go, like laundry or errands lol!
~Sara
Yessss. It’s definitely a legit reason.😂 It can’t backfire at all, of course.😂
I absolutely lost it at the burying a body bit in number four!😂
Also, i thought of another reason why reading improve your life: Everyone will think you are a smart, intellectual person and who doesn’t want to bask in that glory? They don’t have to know about the tears and empty wallets. Shh
YES ABSOLUTELY!! I mean, we must be smart for reading this much. *nods*
*is crushed under TBR*
*keeps reading books that stab my feels*
*is broke*
WE BOOKWORMS ARE SO SMART.😂
Oh yes, reading is kinda socially-acceptable isn’t it? When someone asks what you did all weekend or the night before, reading sounds WAY better than “I binge watched 5hrs of Jessica Jones’ or similar!
ABSOLUTELY. Because reading makes us smarter. *nods*
*tries not to drown in unread books*
DEFINITELY SMARTER.😂
I met all kinds of friends on a Harry Potter social site that is no more. *sobs* I still have some of them! Nine on Facebook and three on Twitter. They have been my friends for about five years now. I would love to meet them all someday, too. Great post! 🙂
It is REALLY awesome how books bring people together!! Basically all of my close friends I’ve met due to books and blogging!
Books give you a reason to learn different languages. You need English to survive, because if you wait until they translate and publish books in your language, you may as well drop dead right know, because there is a chance it will NEVER happen. EVER.
So what better reason to learn English, than for the sake of knowing if your fav side character survived the cliffhanger of book two?
Also you feel safer in your home if there are books in every single room, because what better way to protect yourself from intruders/burglers/creepy people than with… let’s say “The Song of Ice and Fire” or “House of Leaves”. I cannot imagine a baseball bat or a gun to be more efficient than a book with 1000+ pages. Reading can SAVE your life. I’m certain.
On a side note: sometimes when you feel lonely and you think that NOBODY is like you, you just grab one of your books and they comfort you and tell you that yes, you are socially awkward and a little bit crazy, but they are here to make 100% sure that you are NEVER ALONE and that there are a lot of books with a lot of characters out there, that are just like you.
That is an amazing reason to learn English for sure!! I’m super lucky that English is my first language so I’ve not had to struggle with that pain. But I hear ya!! You’re incredible to know multiple languages. *nods*
And dude, yes. Books are great weapons. And they can totally be stepladders too, like if you need to reach something on a high shelf. #sensible
LOVE.
I applaud you for sitting in your throne of books and coming up with these ten awesomeness that was required by the world. You are indeed #queen
Why thank you. *waves regally from my bookish throne* I’m so glad you enjoyed it.😂
Awesome post, as always, Cait. I love that you put a couple of serious reasons sprinkled in amongst the goofy craziness. 🙂
WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN. THESE ARE ALL 1000% SERIOUS.😂
THIS POST IS FABULOUS. I am very convinced that I should absolutely let books take over my life. EVEN IF JUST FOR REASON #2. Because I honestly would be very happy staying inside for the greater part of my existence. :’) INSIDE THERE IS FOOD AND BOOKS AND VIDEO GAMES AND MUSIC AND WIFI AND WHAT ELSE COULD I POSSIBLY DESIRE???
I WAS VOICING MY RESENTMENT FOR STICKERS ON BOOKS JUST YESTERDAY TO MY FAMILY. And they were just kind of looking at me like “how is this an issue” and I was just kind of looking at them like “you don’t understand.” :””) Also yes yes yes to what you said about learning things from books on world problems/social problems. I feel like this has also helped me to grow as a writer?? BOOKS ARE LOVELY BEASTS. And I really want bookshelves instead of walls too because that sounds fabulous. <3
EXACTLY. ONE’S LIFE IS TOTALLY FULL IF YOU HAVE BOOKS AND FOOD AND MUSIC. TRUE PARADISE TBH.😂 And omg your family don’t understand the issue either? Gah. I accidentally ordered the wrong book cover once and my mum was like “ok but what does it matter?” AND I JUST CANNOT EVEN WITH NON-BOOKWORMS SOMETIMES. THEY EXIST TO STRESS US.
As if I needed any more reasons to read books. I do occasionally find myself finding excuses to stay in when it comes to a good book, mostly because my friends don’t like to just sit and watch me read (weird). I do think that it’s great the internet makes it so we have instant friends when reading itself is quite an unsociable pursuit. I mean, getting to flail about the awesomeness of a book with a stranger is a pretty big bonus to reading.
YES! Reading is such a sociable hobby now thanks to blogging and just the internet in general. 🙂 It’s the bessssst. Most of the closest friends I have, I’ve met due to books!!
Yes, yes, yes to all the things on the list, Cait! Though I’m scared to multitask in the reading + cooking case because I may damage my book. I’ll definitely be using your list of excuses because, who, sometimes, wants to do reading-related activities instead of socialising? I think books have taught me not to make a lot of bad decisions. Like, if I’m ever in a situation when I have a lie detector, I will place all of my trust in that, haha. : )
Oh it is a worry to damage the books for sure *nods* So clearly we need like dragon secretaries to follow us around and hold our books open and turn pages. OR READ ALOUD TO US. #sensible
You make me laugh, every single day!!! I heart you!! I really truly enjoy your posts. I love books, reading them, sniffing the pages (come on, I know you all do it too), talking about books and buying books. Absolutely anything to do with books and reading, I’m freakin in. I’m so looking forward to Book Outlet black Friday….BOOKS!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all, a perfect day to eat and read.
THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY, THANK YOU LISA. *shares cake with you wonderful bean* And omg I wish we had a Book Outlet version in Australia…THAT WOULD BE AMAZING AJFDKSALD. I hope you score some epic deals. 😉
I love this post. On bookworm to another, this post is so true. Of course your book shelf has separation anxiety it’s probably been with you most of your life. Makes total sense. Thanks for writing such a lovely post about books.
EXACTLY!! And like why wouldn’t a shelf get totally lonely?! They love us so much. *hugs bookshelf to make it all better*
Haha oh my gosh, my shelf has seperation anxiety. XD I clearly now don’t need to save anymore. Always have somewhere my money needs to go (let us forget about bills and food).
But we must FEED our bookshelves, right?! So they grow up healthy and strong *nods*
*buys all the books*
*feels justified*
😂
Reading has improved my life in so many ways. I have lived a thousand different lives, got to go places I’ll never get to go too, see things I’ll never get to see, be someone I’ll never get to be. Thanks to books, I’ve become aware of important issues, or been shown a new view point on an issue. Oh I’ve made plenty of friends because we liked the same book. Books like All The Bright Places, Red Queen, LOTR etc.
It has also provided me with countless hours of entertainment, for which I am eternally grateful.
yesss to all of these too!! I love being able to be friends like INSTANTLY with people while we flail over the same book. And honestly my closest friends are all due to books and blogging.😂 IT’S SO AWESOME.
“I now realise that no one treats magical talking skeletons fairly and they have to cover up who they are.” By making facade faces. And wearing sunglasses. And hats.
I was looking for someone to whom to scream “SKULDUGGERY 10 SKULDUGGERY 10”, because I just had a wave of Skulduggery feels, and you have given me this opportunity. SKULDUGGERY 10 SKULDUGGERY 10 SKULDUGGERY 10.
Thanks.
I HAVEN’T EVEN FINISHED ALL THE SKULLDUGGERY BOOKS YET AREN’T I THE WORST OMG I SHALL CRY NOW. But see? Exactly. Skulduggery shouldn’t have to hide who he is truly. HE DESERVES TO BE LOVED IN ALL HIS SKINLESSNESS.
I fully agree with each and every one of these. *nods* Especially books making your house look nicer. Because hello my bedroom is the most fabulous room in the house and nobody can tell me otherwise.
OBVIOUSLY. And I say much the same thing to my family, but yet they don’t want bookshelves all over the house??? So confused???
Ahh! Life without reading would be so meaningless. I pity those souls who think reading is boring or chuck a book away looking at its size and pages.
Reading has helped me get through my daily commuting to college of 1 and half hour with ease cuz I always have a book to read. Especially after I bought my Kindle!
I have avoided going out so many times just because there was a great book about to finish.
THEY ARE DEFINITELY SAD SOULS AND THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY MISS. *shrieks* And YES! Books are great for passing travel time. :’)
Let’s see Cait, reading has made me acquainted with more authors (means more books), it helped me get rid of some otherwise nasty habits (to be replaced by reading books), it has garnered a couple of blogs and other *newer* related to books, duh, and of course, as Kafka says, and I’m paraphrasing of course, books have opened unknown chambers within the castle of my own self. So… yeah.
Sorry I was mia… the US election had me in sulky mode the past few weeks (still am, but figured I gotta get back to life at some point…), anyhow, trying to catch up now. Funny post as per usual. Keep rockin’.
THESE ARE ALL GLORIOUS REASONS I LOVE THEM. And omg I can’t even list how many books/authors I’ve fallen in love with since becoming a rabid bookworm. Book blogging has helped with that too…just introducing me to so many!😍
*sends you cake as you recover from the election* 😖
What I noticed in my case is how now I can predict people’s reactions more in real life when something happens, but also it’s like my emotional intellignce improved, because I know better how to react in some situations. Reading also helps one to emphatize more, and I noticed that in my case too.
So yeah, I’m glad I became a bookworm, because even though I am weird, I think I LOOK and act less weird, if that makes sense. Before, I would just stare and do nothing and say nothing, because I didn’ t know what to say or do, what would be appropriate.
Yes! Absolutely to the empathy too! I have a terrible level of empathy and I know books do help me know what to say in situations, which is glorious. <3
*clears throat* I really don’t mind stickers on books *puts on bookish rebel sunglasses in slo-mo* 😉
😱😱😱 *STARST SCREAMING FROM AUSTRALIA* 😱😱😱
I love this post! I agree with everything! Especially the using books to get out of things. I am ALWAYS at the library(I went six times last week)
Omg six times?! YOU’RE AMAZING. I go once a week and just try not to take the entire library home with me.😂
Well it’s the only place I can walk to, so I just go to get out of the house. I don’t always get books, but instead hang out there, use the computer, or ocasanally meet friends.