Reading is good for your health. According to the promoter of National Read A Book Day on September 6, reading renews energy, elevates mood, promotes more restful sleep, and slows the progression of dementia. Another study shows that adults who read at least 30 minutes a week are 20% more satisfied with life than those who spend less time reading.
Add to that the wisdom of others who promote the value of reading:
- “Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” ~ Malorie Blackman
- “The more that you read, the more things you’ll know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~ Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
- “Read to make yourself smarter! Less judgmental. More apt to understand your friends’ insane behavior, or better yet, your own.” ~ John Waters, Role Models
- “We read to know we’re not alone.” ~ William Nicholson
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Even though most of us know what’s good for us, we often don’t do it. Reading is one of those activities. Reportedly, 81% of people don’t spend as much time reading as they’d like. I’m one of those people. As a result, my “want to read” list has 235 books!
So how do we decide what to read? Actress Emma Thompson gives us a hint. “Books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.”
After writing part one in my memoir trilogy—Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses— https://angelamuirvanetten.com/dwarfs-dont-live-in-doll-houses/, I was surprised how many parents of young children were hungry for the information I shared about my growing up years in New Zealand. One mother told me, I keep your book by my bedside and refer to it frequently. Elizabeth, a parent of a short-statured adult, revealed:
“I thought I knew a great deal about what it was like to be a short-statured person but like so many others, I was not realistically seeing life as a Little Person experiences it.”
And Rosemary wrote:
“In this book is pure wisdom and great help! As I am petite and short in height, I had experience with stares and oglers in life. . . Bravo and cheers for a wonderful, in-depth analysis!”
Susan, the grandparent of a teenager with Down Syndrome said:
“Your book has answered my questions. With this new understanding, I now see ‘little people’ in no need of pity, but as my equal and capable of achieving all God has planned for them.”
Two colleagues of average height appreciated having misconceptions dispelled and being informed of everyday obstacles a little person overcomes.
So this year, how about enjoying National Read A Book Day by reading a Kindle e-book or used paperback of Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses available on Amazon.com? Or, due to my sister’s discovery of a box of print books in her basement, order a new print and autographed copy for $4.99, plus $4.00 postage, from angela@angelamuirvanetten.com. Need more information? Go to https://angelamuirvanetten.com, read about my memoir trilogy, and subscribe to my weekly blog.
One reply on “Read and Change Your Life for the Better”
You bring up some good points. I especially like the Dr. Suess quote. Thanks for posting.