November’s Voracious Readers Guide
There are two types of people in the world: people who read because they have to and people who read because they love to. And there is good news for all you fellow book lovers. Reading is one of the best things you can do for your personal development and mental fitness.
There are plenty of exercises and workouts to help your body to reach peak performance. But what about your mind and memory? It turns out that reading is not only a vital life skill or beloved hobby for many. It is also a great way to optimize your mental health and gain valuable knowledge. Studies have shown that reading increases our emotional intelligence, improves confidence, and delays the onset of dementia.
Additionally, books are the perfect escape from the stress of our daily lives. It’s safe to say that this year has been challenging. Increased feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and anxiety are all around us. Given the current state of global affairs, we could use a distraction from the real world that will help to reframe the many pressing problems we face.
For voracious readers that start thinking of the next book they’ll read before they finish their current one, we’ve composed a quick reader's guide of our favorite books that will serve as a quick pick-me-up or let us experience an entire adventure in the palms of our hands.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
A book of the times in the 60’s and today, Baldwin encapsulates the emerging civil rights movement—and still lights the way to understanding race in America today. A national bestseller when it first appeared in 1963, The Fire Next Time is a powerful evocation of James Baldwin's early life in Harlem and a disturbing examination of the consequences of racial injustice, the book is an intensely personal and provocative document.
The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself by Veronique Vienne
For those trying to reach a peaceful work-life balance, The Art of Doing Nothing reminds readers that it is okay to take a moment for ourselves instead of filling our schedules with tasks and responsibilities. Vienne offers advice and tips on how to release ourselves from the pressures of our busy lives, including meditation, procrastination, and even talking to yourself to declutter your mind.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry to Values by Robert M. Pirsig
You don’t have to limit yourself to the world of nonfiction and memoirs to find stories of positivity or inspiration. Reading fiction has benefits, too. A 2014 study found that explicitly reading fiction helped enhance brain connectivity and function with areas associated with language comprehension and the ability to be compassionate.
Frequently regarded as a classic, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a fictionalized autobiography of a road trip author Robert Pirsig took with his son. The novel’s discussion of self-discovery mixed with philosophy resonates today, even decades later.
If you’re looking for something more fiction than not, you may want to look into one of our favorite dark and mysterious series:
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This twisted tale has everything including murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue combined into an extremely complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel, the first in Stieg Larsson's thrilling Millenium series featuring Lisbeth Salander. It’s no wonder it was transformed into a feature film, but we say read the book!
Just as much as diet or exercise are part of the lifestyle choices for our health and fitness, so too is the decision to flip through the pages of a book rather than different television channels. The health benefits of reading are robust.
With a good book in your hand, you finally have a reason to sit on the couch all day without feeling guilty. And you’ll find that we love these particular books for a reason. They are stories of positivity and inspiration that can lift us up when our days get challenging and they are entertaining enough to finish in a matter of days.
To discover some of our other favorite books and other products, including games, fitness items, and toys for kids, visit our monthly favorites page and social media profile. Look for another voracious readers update soon!