The benefits of reading good, long books?

[Anonymous]

I come from a family of people most of whom like or liked to read. We’re capable of reading long, fairly complex books. We are ordinary people otherwise, no one is particularly rich or successful, although my sibling and I made a quantum leap via immigration.
Now my 14 year old son is reading good books by his own volition and someone recently commented how unusual it is. However one of the most voracious readers in the family, my father, is also one of the most "spaced ouf", maladjusted people in the family, the absent minded professor type and my son resembles him in a lot of ways.
So why is it good to be a reader? Is it just good in and of itself or can it bring other benefits?

[Anonymous]

Being a good and voracious reader will not fix other problems in your life or with your personality. It is a good thing on its own and for its own sake. But, work on your son’s social skills and other problems outside of reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Being a good and voracious reader will not fix other problems in your life or with your personality. It is a good thing on its own and for its own sake. But, work on your son’s social skills and other problems outside of reading.

He doesn’t have problems, I said that he was just very similar to his grandfather in basic personality traits and habits. So maybe potential problems but maybe not.

Thank you for the rest of your response. I think you are right. I was always taught that if you are a reader, you are smart and you will do well in life. Turns out it’s just not true!

[Anonymous]

It probably decreased your chances of substance use, you can escape the here and now without drugs/alcohol or food.

As a recovering binge eater/yo yo dieter, i would have never had an issue with my weight if i discovered exercise and books as a way to shield myself from the constant presence of reality that was suffocating at times.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking similar recently.

I think are are two related risks.

One is that "reading" is a way to potentially pass time doing a socially acceptable activity that isn't doing anything meaningful, not even thinking hard, but just being lazy. So it's a Dodge from real work.

Second is that even if you are highly engaged in the reading, it can disengage you from your life.

Good reading changes the way you think and live, for the better, and isn't just an opiate to pull your mind away from your life.

[Anonymous]

A reader is never bored

Disappearing into a book is better for attention span than disappearing into a phone or iPad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It probably decreased your chances of substance use, you can escape the here and now without drugs/alcohol or food.

As a recovering binge eater/yo yo dieter, i would have never had an issue with my weight if i discovered exercise and books as a way to shield myself from the constant presence of reality that was suffocating at times.

This is a very interesting take, thank you! But then there are also videogames and TV/movies, aren’t they even a stronger “drug” (sorry about my lack of a better term)

It also makes me think that escapism such as reading can be harmful, like it seemingly was/is for my father. Maybe he could have pushed through and done something more productive if he wasn’t so engulfed in books and thoughts about nothing practical.
On the other hand I was a voracious reader too and I am thankfully doing better than my parent (on a spectrum of things in life).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was thinking similar recently.

I think are are two related risks.

One is that "reading" is a way to potentially pass time doing a socially acceptable activity that isn't doing anything meaningful, not even thinking hard, but just being lazy. So it's a Dodge from real work.

Second is that even if you are highly engaged in the reading, it can disengage you from your life.

Good reading changes the way you think and live, for the better, and isn't just an opiate to pull your mind away from your life.

Yes I have similar thoughts. I think some people have nothing to show for anything except being voracious readers, and make it their identity almost. It’s a bit better than videogames but essentially similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A reader is never bored

Disappearing into a book is better for attention span than disappearing into a phone or iPad

I am honestly thinking it’s pretty similar. I know it’s not what most people think but…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being a good and voracious reader will not fix other problems in your life or with your personality. It is a good thing on its own and for its own sake. But, work on your son’s social skills and other problems outside of reading.

He doesn’t have problems, I said that he was just very similar to his grandfather in basic personality traits and habits. So maybe potential problems but maybe not.

Thank you for the rest of your response. I think you are right. I was always taught that if you are a reader, you are smart and you will do well in life. Turns out it’s just not true!

NP. You called your father maladjusted and said your son is like him.

I don’t really understand your post. Reading long, complex books is good for your mind but it doesn’t make you smarter or morally superior or without personality problems.

[Anonymous]

I think as a kid, if you really like to read, your school life is just easier.

So much learning is ingested through reading, that those who are good at it and enjoy it have an easier time.

For me as an adult, the benefits are manifold... primarily the ability to gain so many other perspectives about life, both present day and throughout history.

I feel like my sense of empathy is constantly being developed.

I also just love learning and find the world so interesting and fascinating. I'm not sure if I like books because of that, or if I'm like that because I read so many books.

[Anonymous]

Reading a lot is rare for young people these days.

It can help with spelling and writing skills. Also give insight into how to write using a "voice".

It will assist you with college coursework.

Some reading can help you become a more informed citizen.

I grew up reading a lot and it can be very calming to return to reading when I am sad or upset. Television is usually less soothing because it provides more sensory input.

[Anonymous]

I think reading helps your empathy and (moral) imagination, as well as your analytical skills nd your writing skills. That seems like enough.

[Anonymous]

It's a way to escape, but it does so without destroying your mind in the process.

[Anonymous]

I think it REALLY improves your powers of concentration!

Plus, what others said ... exposure to different ideas, empathy, better skill as a reader and writer.