Reasons to Read Books

Books can provide you with so much more than television.

There are a surprising number of people who say that reading is boring or that they would rather wait for the movie to come out than read the book. This startling trend is evident in all communities across the U.S. and seems to be difficult to combat. However, there are several good reasons why an individual should read a book.

Critical Thinking

Books can help provide development of critical thinking. Critical thinking means that you can enter a situation and draw conclusions about that situation which may not be evident. In many modern art forms, the thinking is done for you. Movies and television programs often beat you over the head with what they are trying to say which makes for a relaxing experience, but doesn't help you use your brain. When you read, you will often have to draw conclusions from the story which are not otherwise evident. By doing this often enough, you will begin to get into a habit of examining everything in your life from a critical angle. The skill of critical thinking can help you in everything from your day to day job duties to interacting with people at a store.

Vocabulary

By reading books, you will increase your vocabulary. Most people use vocabulary which they hear every day. This means, your vocabulary is shaped by the people and things around you. If you are only talking to co-workers, listening to the radio or watching television, your vocabulary may be stunted. However, by reading books, you are able to get exposure to a wide variety of words and concepts which you may not be able to get otherwise. This will most likely help increase the numbers of words you can use comfortably. There is a direct correlation to your vocabulary level and your perceived intelligence level, which can benefit you professionally.

Imagination and Creative Thinking

Reading books increases your imagination. Movies and television do all of the visualizing of a certain time and place for you. Because they are visual arts, they have to present the situation in a visual way. Books, on the other hand, only provide the frame for the story. It is up to you to use your brain to imagine what the characters and settings look like. By increasing your imaginative power, you will be able to begin to solve problems in a more creative fashion. Your out-of-the box thinking will increase, which can make you more valuable to your employer and able to come up with solutions for issues in your personal life more easily.

* By R.L. Cultrona, eHow Contributor