Reading something that you find entertaining may be one of the best ways to give your brain some rest while also engaging it in new ways.
Even better, reading can positively impact your speaking skills, writing skills, and critical thinking ability. No matter what field of study you decide to enter, well-honed reading skills and a desire to learn are valuable assets. Furthermore, this positive habit can be developed at any stage of life.
For busy students, reading that is not required for coursework may be a low priority when studies take up most hours of the day. During any downtime, it’s tempting to just sleep or stick to doing things that don’t require using your overworked brain!
However, it is important that you take a break now and then. Any time you can dedicate to a reading break can be beneficial, even if it is just for 15 minutes while enjoying your morning coffee, sitting on the bus, or between classes.
As stated in the Psychology Today article “How Do Work Breaks Help Your Brain? 5 Surprising Answers”, taking regular breaks can have many benefits, including:
- Positively impacting physical and emotional health
- Preventing “decision fatigue” (which is the tendency to make poor choices after a long bout of decision-making)
- Restoring motivation
- Consolidating memory and improving learning
- Increasing productivity and creativity
So, where should one begin? When reading for pleasure, there should be no pressure. Whatever genre sparks your interest is exactly what you should read.
However, if your brain, tired from studying, is having trouble deciding then here are some recommendations – some old and some new, some fiction and some nonfiction!
Brain on Fire – Susannah Cahalan
Both memoir and medical mystery, Brain on Fire tells the true story of young journalist Susannah Cahalan’s sudden turn into violent, erratic behavior and her doctors’ struggle to diagnose and treat the medical malady that started it all.
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Though Mary Shelley’s classic novel (written when she was only 18!) was originally published in 1818, its chilling horror and suspense are no less powerful today than when published.
Plus, the story of student Victor Frankenstein’s experiment-gone-wrong is a good reminder that your research could always be going worse.
I’ll be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer – Michelle McNamara
I’ll be Gone in the Dark is the gripping account of crime writer and amateur sleuth Michelle McNamara’s hunt for the identity of the Golden State Killer, who terrorized California throughout the 1970s and 80s.
McNamara ultimately passed away before the publication of her master work, but her dedicated efforts led to dramatic developments in this cold case that must be read to be believed.
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
No less powerful despite its popularity on high school reading lists, The Great Gatsby is certainly worth another read-through.
It is equal parts romantic tragedy, a historical look at the decadent New York City of the Roaring Twenties, and a cautionary tale about the perils of greed and fake friends.
Where’d you go, Bernadette? – Maria Semple
Though chiefly a story about family, Where’d you go, Bernadette is chock full of humor and adventure as well. Brilliant-but-agoraphobic architect Bernadette disappears suddenly, having long struggled with the of everyday life. If her family can make it through this, they may come out stronger than ever.
Your Spring Reading List
Whether you listen to audiobooks, use an e-reader, or prefer to flip through pages in a physical book, reading is an activity that you can take on the go or enjoy within the relaxation of a coffee shop or your own home.
If you are having trouble choosing from this list, then pick one at random and begin reading! Even if you do not finish any given piece of reading material, the act of slowing down and taking a reading break has many benefits. And who knows, you may find yourself reading “The End” before you know it!
