Reading is a habit that I developed thanks to my mother and father who encouraged this hobby by buying me as many books as I could read. At the age of six or seven, I dove headfirst into my first Enid Blyton novel, and since then, I have been an avid reader. My mother often reminds me of the summer when I broke the record for the most books read in a month at my local library. Every year, I set a reading challenge goal on Goodreads and try my best to stick to it. Reading is a relaxing activity that allows individuals to escape into other worlds and fuels their imagination. You can learn so much from books, regardless of their intended subject matter.

Books can be read anytime. However, in the United States and many other countries, reading lists are a significant part of the summertime theme. During the holiday, kids are given lists of books to read, and adults enjoy the latest bestsellers while relaxing by the poolside on vacation. As I love books and take pleasure in helping people find good ones, I would like to sell you on the merits of a summer reading list and recommend a few good books that you can enjoy whenever you have the time.

Reading is good exercise for your brain

Reading for pleasure can be a great way to keep your brain active and healthy by stimulating your neural pathways. Regardless of your age, everyone can benefit from having a reading habit throughout their life. Children who are encouraged to read regularly reportedly perform better in school, while older adults who engage in brain exercises such as reading are less likely to experience mental decline. Even if you can only read a page a day, try to incorporate it into your daily schedule to protect your grey matter.

Consume whatever type of material you’d like, whether it’s a comic or an anthology of poems. I can recommend Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue DeConnick, who has also written for Marvel’s Captain Marvel, DC’s Adventures of Superman, and more.

You could learn a lot of new things

Books can teach you a wide range of skills and knowledge, regardless of their main subject. As someone who is curious, I find it enjoyable to collect interesting facts and information for future use. For instance, a light-hearted book read by the pool could provide a random fact about sunsets, and a best-selling novel might describe a beautiful landscape that inspires your next vacation. So, whether you are learning how to cook or studying the intricacies of photo development, books can be a great source of learning and inspiration.

From Zen Cho’s Black Water Sister I got a glimpse into Malaysian culture and was inspired by the traditional beliefs depicted within to explore the religion native to my heritage.

You might discover new authors/titles/genres

Have you ever picked up a book and after reading it, realized that it is entirely different from what you had imagined? But despite that, you still liked it? Experiences like this are always amazing because they introduce you to things you would have never intentionally sought out, and as a result, help you learn more about the kind of person you are. This kind of open-mindedness is healthy and can significantly improve your quality of life.

I’m really bad at reading historical fiction because something about looking backward makes me feel unsettled, but I find books by Taylor Jenkins Reid enjoyable. In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, we follow the life of a 60s starlet who has to hide who she truly is. Daisy Jones and the Six shows you the gritty side of the 70s rock scene, and Malibu Rising marries 80s surf culture with a little drama.

It could help you relax

Whether you prefer an e-book or a physical copy, a collection of short stories, or the latest literary breakout, take some time this summer to pick up at least one book and escape into a different world for a while. Reading has been shown to reduce stress levels by as much as 68%, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Take a break from daily stressors and immerse yourself in Madeline Miller’s Circe, which tells the story of the Greek goddess of the same name and weaves in other popular mythological characters like Achilles, Scylla, Odysseus, and Daedalus.

Your mental health could benefit

At present, mental health is an area where many people could benefit from assistance. However, professional help can be quite expensive and may not be accessible to everyone. In such situations, adopting coping strategies that can be easily utilized is the best option. Along with practices like meditation and yoga, reading can improve your mood and relax your mind. Reading provides a necessary distraction from your worries and offers a healthy outlook, depending on the book you choose.

Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People takes a simple story about a robbery and stretches it into a rich tapestry of ordinary life with a sprinkle of serendipity that will restore your faith in humanity one chapter at a time.

See yourself represented

The world of writing and publishing has fortunately been evolving to include a much wider range of perspectives and experiences than the typical middle-aged, male, Caucasian thriller writers that used to dominate the popularity polls when I was a teenager. The reason why representation matters is that it helps people feel validated and not feel alone. As Marian Wright Edelman once said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Tree taught me that being queer is not unnatural and not a “western import” as many queer Africans are often told. Talia Hibbert’s third book in The Brown Sisters series, Act Your Age, Eve Brown, helps normalize neurodivergence in a society that often defines people solely by the characteristics that make them different from what is considered the norm.

It could make you more empathetic towards others

Judging people from afar is effortless because it only allows us to see what’s on the surface. Individuals who claim to be poor yet own a smartphone are often criticized for their misplaced priorities. However, in truth, smartphones have become a lifeline for many in our modern times. They are essential tools that provide access to everything from job listings to transit schedules for getting around without a vehicle.

Books can offer an insightful glimpse into lives that we may not understand. They can teach us to be kinder to the people around us. David Levithan’s book Two Boys Kissing is a poignant portrayal of gay teenage boys who are navigating their way through life while trying to discover themselves and their true identities. On the other hand, Min-Ji Lee’s novel "Pachinko” sheds light on the tumultuous moments in East Asian history, such as Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910 and the discrimination faced by Koreans afterward.

It could help you sleep better

Reading is my preferred way to unwind before bedtime because it helps me transition into sleep more smoothly than nodding off while watching TV. Reading also helps to decrease my stress and tension, making it easier for my body to fall asleep. While e-readers are convenient to use, it’s better to stick to printed books at night since the blue light emitted by digital screens can interfere with sleep. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to put down your book, try reading popular fiction like “You Had Me at Hola” by Alexis Daria or “The Hairdresser of Harare” by Tendai Huchu.