I used to participate in Top Ten Tuesday when I first started blogging and it was a wonderful way to meet fellow bloggers! I thought with coming back from a hiatus, and a bit of a lack of inspiration on my part, participating again would be a great idea. So, every Tuesday (if the topic interests me) I’ll be sharing a Top Ten Tuesday post. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl! Make sure to check out her page explaining everything you need to know, including future topics.
This week’s topic is Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book. However, I am, yet again, putting a little spin on it. There are things that draw me to a book – pretty covers, hype, anything that has to do with end-of-the-world, etc. – but what is my cup of tea may not be yours. Besides, regardless of why we want to read a specific book, the good thing is that we are reading. So, whatever makes you want to read a book, that’s great, keep doing that. But today, I want to talk about all the amazing reasons why we should be reading anything in the first place.
I call it CEESY.
Just kidding. It doesn’t have a cool acronym (if only I could think of one that starts with an H and we’d get a pretty good one*) but I think these are 5 good reasons to read any book that tickles your fancy.
*But if you do think of one that starts with H, let me know so we can be CHEESY.
Raise your hand if you love character art? Or are you writing a book?
So many small businesses use characters from our favorite books as inspiration for their products – from lip balms to art prints. Or if you’re a writer, I’m sure whatever you’re writing has elements of things you’ve read and loved as inspiration. We might be inspired by a magic system, or a productivity method, or the description of that steamy scene that we really want to actually see (I am not a great artist, so this ain’t me, but there are so many wonderful artists out there!)
Whatever the reason, reading can bring out the creativity in all of us, regardless of genre. So, read, and let those creative juices flow!
I think for a lot of us, reading is an escape. Whether that’s from real life struggles, or just the mundane chores you’re trying to avoid, reading can provide that much needed escape from reality that I think a lot of us crave – without being detrimental to our well-being.
I would much rather read about a sexy Peter Pan than do the dishes.
I would much rather read about an unreliable narrator trying to find her child than deal with me own issues.
I would much rather read about a mom solving murders than fold the laundry.
I would much rather read about a witch escaping her past than cope with my own.
Wouldn’t you?
This one came to me as a mother, but I believe it can be applied to everyone! One of the main ways to teach children something is to lead by example. If my son sees me reading, he may be more inclined to copy that behavior, even if he can’t actually read at this age. He already copies me and enjoys me reading aloud to him.
However, reading and talking about the books you read can encourage other people in your life to read as well! I recently got my mother-in-law to listen to audiobooks because I was gushing about a recent thriller that I absolutely loved. She is now onto her third audiobook!
I am also starting a new tradition for Christmas in which I buy everyone at least 1 book as a gift. Has anyone read their books? I don’t know, but I’m trying 😆
Read so that we don’t end up in a world that disregards for-fun reading & books as something unimportant.
All sorts of books can help you grow as a person. There are lessons weaved into each one. But for the sake of this topic, I’m going literal. There is an abundance of self-help books out there ranging in a variety of topics. If you want to work on boundaries, productivity, finances, love, friendship, faith, organization, or anything else in your life, there is a book for it.
If I’m being honest, self-help books never seemed like they’d be my cup of tea, but this year I started reading them and I have found so much value. I don’t think I’d be where I am in regard to boundaries and self-care if it wasn’t for some of the principles and tools set out in the few I’ve read. I can’t wait to continue reading more.
Let’s keep this last one short and sweet: Whatever book you want to read, you should read it, no matter what. Smut? Read it. Spirituality? Read it. Fantasy? Read it. Sci-fi? Read it. Memoirs? Read it. You should read a book because you want to read it – not because someone has told you the right kind of books to read (lookin’ at those who say smut aren’t real books or audiobooks isn’t real reading ~bombasticsideeye~) or because social media makes you feel like you have to (I know, bookstagram really throws the same books at you over and over again, but resist the urge to read it if you’re really not feeling it).
READ WHAT YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT, HOW YOU WANT, and be happy.
Why do you read?
What are some reasons you think people should read?
18 Comments
I 100% read for enjoyment/escapism. I applaud those who read to learn, push their boundaries, expand their thinking, etc. But reasons for reading are very much centered on enjoyment. And a big yes to reading what YOU want to read!
Oh girl, most of my reading is for enjoyment hahah I don’t want to have to THINK about things most of the time. lol
All great reasons to read books!
Thank you!
Self-improvement is a great reason to read a book!
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Yes! We all can get a little better in some areas of our lives.
I definitely read for escape, but I also read to learn about other people, places, cultures, and ways of life. It makes me a more empathetic person, I think, when I’m able to “experience” these things, at least a little bit, in a book.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
That is such a lovely reason! I originally had a “learn new things” reason on here, but felt it fell under the self improvement section. But this one is so good! We learn so much about other people through books.
I love that your little one enjoys story time with you. Encourage it as much as you can. Even reading a book (for you) aloud while he’s playing or doing something else is a good start. It exposes people to new words and ways of thinking. I remember reading the novel MASH (that the movie and tv show are adapted from) aloud at bedtime with my then 5-year old and newborn. Why? Because it was the only time I really had to read for myself. I may have changed a few words or skipped a few scenes, but I still read it to my girls. Even as they got older, I would sit at the table and read while they would do a craft or play with their toys. I stopped doing this when my oldest was in 9th grade, but more because I was too tired after work to read.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/recent-additions-to-my-physical-tbr-may-2023/
Sometimes he asks me to read my books aloud and I have to censor them lol I was reading a YA romance one time and even that I had to censor at the “romantic” scenes because I didn’t want to explain what was happening lol I love that you read as much as you could around them, though! I do it, but definitely need to do it more often!
I love how much thought you put into this! Agree with every single one of your answers. Great post!
FangirlFlax @ FangirlFlax
https://fangirlflax.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/top-ten-tuesday-five-things-that-make-me-instantly-want-to-read-a-book/
Thank you so much!
Oh! I love a good acronym
Love your take on this topic!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/top-ten-tuesday-421-the-literary-dinner-party-2022-tag/
I agree with your list, especially the last item on the list (You). Great post!
Thank you!
[…] treating it as an extension of a previous Top Ten Tuesday I posted a couple of weeks ago titled 5 Reasons You Should Read Books. In that post, I listed out reasons I think anyone should read, no matter the […]
I definitely love to read to escape from the real world. The real world has been pretty bad lately and reading always makes me feel good.