Why Reading for Fun is Important
Do you remember the days of reading for fun? For many of us, reading books meant free pizza. For others, it was the ticket to the air-conditioned library or something to do on a rainy afternoon. As we advanced in school, assigned reading took over more of our time and reading for fun seemed to fall to the side.
Now we have ebooks and audiobooks, giving us easy access to more books than we could ever imagine reading. Many adults enjoy popular mysteries or fiction books to escape the stressors of life or to unwind after a long day. But students may find it hard to fit reading for fun into their lives.
It can be complicated, but it’s important to remember that reading is the cornerstone of learning. When you’re handed a reading list, it’s harder to get excited about the books on it. When you have the opportunity to choose your own book, you may not be sure it’s worth your time. It is. Here are seven types of books to pick up or download to enjoy reading for fun.
7 Types of Books to Read for Fun
Mysteries
Getting lost in a good mystery can take your mind off of stressors in life or concerns about the upcoming school year. Popular authors like James Patterson always have a new book ready to go, and many more in the library if you finish quickly.
True Crime
The true-crime genre has taken over the book and podcast world. Some people find the details about why people commit crimes to be interesting and others enjoy the problem-solving aspect, but overall these stories appeal to people whether they are watching, reading or listening to them.
Historical Fiction
If you can't travel to a fun place, you can read about it. Historical fiction books can take you anywhere, in any time period you desire. From the days of Henry VII to the women of Genghis Khan to World War II, there are more books than you could possibly read in a lifetime.
Classics
On any "must-read" list will be some of the classics, we just can't seem to escape the greats of literature -- which is why they are considered to be great. Whether you reread an old favorite like “To Kill a Mocking Bird,” or pull one from your "to read" list, you can't go wrong with a classic book.
Beach Reads
The fun, lighthearted books that comprise this category are perfect for taking your mind off the real world. The appeal of beach reads is that they don't take a lot of effort, they aren't very intellectually stimulating -- and you don’t have to be on a beach to read them.
Personal Development
Not everyone likes fiction, so reading for fun may look like diving into a personal or professional development book. Books that talk about leadership, for example, or achieving goals can be incredibly helpful when you’re planning the next steps of your education or career.
Biographies & Memoirs
Diving into someone else's life is certainly an escape, especially when it's someone famous. This year, several biographies made waves with their release, including "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey and "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama. It's fun reading about other people's lives.
Do you read for fun? Let us know what you’re currently reading.
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