The National Education Association designated March as National Reading Month in the mid- to late-1990s, to encourage and celebrate literacy.
I was not a reader as a child. So, as an adult, the activity holds special significance. Overwhelmed with the noise and negative energy of a turbulent household, sitting quietly absorbed in nothing but a book seems like a great luxury, the essence of self-care.
Of course, book groups are hugely popular, but for me, reading has always been a solitary joy. A dinosaur in most matters of technology, I try to read as little as possible on my devices, preferring the intentional, tactile act of holding the newspaper, or balancing a pillow on my lap with a book resting on top.
This is quality “me” time. An activity solely for my benefit, I proceed slowly. Reading at my own leisurely pace counters the overwhelming sensation of contemporary culture’s technology-dominated life force, information rushing at full speed from phones, tablets and computers.
There is much to be gained from reading, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Performed regularly, the activity benefits the brain and as well as neurological functions. In addition to improving concentration, vocabulary and imagination, reading has a profound calming effect. A study by the University of Sussex demonstrated that even as few as six minutes of silent reading can reduce stress levels by 68%. In addition, reading regularly is an important factor in promoting brain health. The website for the Center for Adult Learning (CAE) in Australia reports that “elderly patients who read books or play mentally challenging games are two and a half times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.” Reading is also associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.
Discovering your identity or profile as a reader can be an interesting and amusing journey. I’m loyal to several novelists, including Henry James, Nancy Mitford, Dawn Powell, and Dara Horn. I’ve read and own most of their titles, but otherwise, I’m not a great fan of fiction.
My favorite books tend to be essays. Either an entire collection by one author, “One Man’s Meat,” for example, by “Charlotte’s Web” author E. B. White, or anthologies. The “Best American Essays” series, divided by year, provides an opportunity to sample the work of 20-25 different writers all in one book. I find those published before 2020 tend to be the least woke. Many of my favorite authors have been discovered in this way.
Anthologies by topic or theme are also interesting. Titles like “Who We Are: On Being (or Not Being) a Jewish American Writer,” or “Wedding Cake for Breakfast,” “Essays on the Unforgettable First Year of Marriage,” and “Freud’s Blind Spot: 23 Original Essays on Cherished, Estranged, Lost, Hurtful, Hopeful, Complicated Siblings” include compelling, amusing, and often moving contributions by a diverse group of writers.
Also, essays tend to be bite-sized, usually between five and 20 pages, or the length of an average chapter. A nice departure if you are working your way through a challenging book or author (Charles Dickens, perhaps!) and need a break or finisher.
Reading is relaxing and absorbing, but can also provide a strong sense of accomplishment. I’ve never had much success keeping a traditional journal, but I enjoy keeping a record of my reading. Nothing fancy, just a tally of books I’ve completed, listing title, author, and date.
Reading is an easy and inexpensive way to unplug from the constant barrage of digital information, nagging to-do lists, and life’s urgent trivialities. It provides intellectual, as well as mental and neurological benefits, and is nourishing for the brain and the soul. All you need is a comfy chair in a quiet room or corner, and perhaps an ottoman for elevating your feet. Then choose your pleasure: computer, tablet, or plain old-fashioned book.
The importance of children developing dedicated reading habits is much discussed, but the benefits for adults are not to be dismissed. National Reading Month reminds us that, like regular exercise, reading is an important benefit to daily life. Groucho Marx once said he found television very educational. “Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” In the age of social media and smartphones, National Reading Month is even more pertinent today.