I knew of The Man Booker Prize list which the current topic of conversation was on, but to discuss any of the books on the shortlist, No. I did do an online search, so I could hold my own in the conversation, but wasn’t that exactly what my annoying sibling was intimating? I decided to look more into it; was I odd or an example of millennials everywhere, I found I fit in nicely with Gen Y. Apparently, millennials do read, but what we read is mostly dictated by its usefulness, its newsworthiness. We devour social news, current events in the lives of friends and strangers. We like bullet notes and what to do lists, we read to connect with others. What we do not do is read for ourselves, to take time out, to relax. I want to share some of the facts that are making me rethink reading a book.
1. Books stimulate our brain
Every time we read a book we open new neural pathways, (synapses), this says we are stimulating the brain, keeping it functioning and fresh. Recent research on brain patterns shows our interactions and interpretation of what we read creates a mental simulation in our senses, opening them up for more experiences. If we want the ability to change and adapt our fixed neural pathways and keep our brains agile and functioning quickly; we need to read more. Reading books introduces our brains to new stimuli, it adds to our perceptions of others and keeps our leadership and managing skills from stagnating.
2. Reading stops you from multitasking
Millennials tend to run around with an ADD disorder, doing 10 things at once, working, checking emails, checking Facebook, Pinterest and other favourite social media outlets, updating our Linkedin. Reading a book helps destress you, focusing your mind down to first gear rather than running in third all the time, gives you mind and body time to relax, a single focus.
3. Reading teaches us to actually read
As millennials we respond to infographics, visual content, quick to process, quick to scan. Reading a book involves a different skill, but we can enhance our vocabulary, our focus and concentration and our analytical skills. All of which, I think we would all agree has value in our lives and careers.
Reading skills are something we need to think about as we become parents, what habits will we pass to our children. Will we limit them if we are not seen to read or encourage reading? Now as adults, we have a wide range of access to books, either physically from bookshelves and libraries or digitally via our Ipad’s and ebook readers.
But be aware, for children, a study has indicated that an actual book is better than a screen. It is also said reading from a screen at night disturbs our sleep in a way, a book does not, but for those of you for whom a book is a step too far but want to read, don’t worry, there are things you can do that will allow you to sleep and read.
There are a seemingly unending list of genres for the would-be reader, as millennials, we are masters at using the digital world for finding what we want, use to this knowledge to find books that suit you.
· Find internet sites that offer free or reduced price books.
· Look for sites such as WordPad and be among the first to read novels by new writers and established ones.
· Use bookseller sites and review blogs to identify trending authors and upcoming novels.
· Review the books you read, online, especially the authors you like, if you do, there is always a good chance you will get the opportunity to receive an ARC to read, (Advance Reader’s Copy) which allows you to get free the newest novel from an author in return for a review.
Offline, start a book swap with friends to keep costs down and an informal book club is a great way to get together with mates and engage yourself with some great debate.
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