Name an activity that slows your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure and relaxes your muscles. Was reading your first answer? Probably not.
It might surprise you to learn that reading offers numerous benefits, including reducing stress, improving memory, enhancing concentration, expanding vocabulary and strengthening your brain.
Reading also helps build empathy. Canadian studies discovered that “individuals who frequently read fiction seem to be better able to understand other people, empathize with them and see the world from their perspective.” Making reading a daily habit that can positively impact your life.
What to read? Here are some recommendations from the Madison College library staff:
• “11/22/63” by Stephen King – “One of the best escapist reads I’ve had. Suspenseful, a bit horror-esque, and a huge bonus: time travel!” – Matthew Coan, librarian.
• “Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons” by Bill Watterson – “Nothing says cozy winter reading like a cup of tea and curling up with Calvin and Hobbes.” – Mars Mui, library assistant.
• “Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II” by Robert Matzen and Luca Dotti – “This story shares Hepburn’s life as a teen in the Netherlands during World War II. She even performed secret ballet recitals to raise money for the Dutch Resistance.” – Julie Gores, library and SAC associate vice president.
• “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke – “My favorite novel! This richly atmospheric story is set in an alternate version of 19th-century England, where magic once thrived but has nearly faded.” – Jarka Sobiskova, SAC facilitator.
• “Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li – “Combines action and suspense with vivid discussions about the culture of art acquisitions. A fast-paced read that will keep you turning pages.” – Rachel Becker, librarian.
• “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by Victoria Schwab – “A ‘can’t put it down’ kind of book that sticks with you long after you finish. It blends magic, history, and beautifully described landscapes.” – Dana Ryals, librarian.
• “The Murder at the Vicarage” by Agatha Christie – “Cozy mysteries are the ultimate winter reading, and this is the coziest of all. Meet Miss Marple, the spinster-turned-detective who knows everything about everyone in the village.” – Angela Terrab, library assistant.
• “The Rachel Incident” by Caroline O’Donoghue – “Set in Cork, Ireland, this fast-paced story about two best friends struggling through their lean college years is never boring!” – Autumn Hall-Tun, Librarian.
• “This Band Has No Past: How Cheap Trick Became Cheap Trick” by Brian J. Kramp – “This is the story of the world’s greatest rock band, Cheap Trick, and their many connections to Wisconsin. Surrender…surrender…, but don’t give yourself away.” – Mark Luetkehoelter, Librarian.
If none of these titles catch your eye, search online lists from sources such as “The New Yorker,” “The New York Times,” “Time Magazine” and “Goodreads.”
The Madison College Libraries also offer a fantastic database called Novelist, featuring information on over 150,000 fiction titles, plus recommended reading lists.
Make reading part of your daily routine, knowing the many benefits of this simple yet powerful habit. You won’t regret it.