By Shanzeh Syed | February 15th, 2022
Like many of those who are reading this, I am a reader. I have been reading for years. Personally, I read as many books as I could get my hands on, staying up late at night with a flashlight in my hands underneath the warm covers of my bed, hoping no one would catch me in my rebellious act. I’ve always known I loved reading however, like others, I stopped.
I became more invested in other hobbies, I had other interests that began to take priority over reading. However, in the past few years, I’ve picked reading back up again. I tend to read about a book or two a month. pacing myself enough for me to be able to enjoy a book even all the while having the time to focus on school, extracurriculars, and leaving other things to do as well in my free time. While some may see reading as boring, mundane, or even outdated, I believe that everyone enjoys reading, but oftentimes they just need help finding the right book. The Woodlands Book Club hopes to present to you books of all genres so that everyone can find themselves under the covers with a good book in hand. Sometimes, we can all use a push to start building good habits, so here are some to present you with.
The Lingering Effects of Reading on the Brain
Embodied Cognition
Back in December 2013, a study was done at Emory University that looked at the lingering effects of reading on the brain. They took a look at a total of twenty-one participants over a few weeks and had them read a thirty-page section of a novel in the evening. The next morning, they put the participants into an fMRI machine and compared what was happening in their brain at the time, to what was happening in their brain during the resting state before reading. These brain scan results found heightened activity in the central sulcus of the brain. This means that; the sensory neurons in the brain would be firing if they were thinking about running or reading about running so they would be putting themselves in someone else's shoes and creating a stronger empathetic connection to the book that they read, keeping the brain healthy.
Attention Spans and Tranquil Escapes from the Digital Age
In the current digital age, we have drastically shortened our attention spans. With the rise of the internet, social media, and other forms of instant messaging, everything is constantly changing, and as a result, we have trained our brains to function in that way. Reading, however, is a linear process. With no switching between tabs, humans are able to train their brains to be capable of focusing and slowing down. Reading heightens our concentration and observance which even shows results of improvements in sleep—improvements you may be missing out on.
Stronger Analytical Thinking and Writing Skills
While everyone knows reading expands your vocabulary, being exposed to published, well-written work has an effect on one’s own writing. Observing the cadence, fluidity, and writing styles of other authors will influence your own works, in the same way as listening to a great composer or seeing an inspiring piece of art. Regularly reading also helps with better brain connection, recalling information, and improving one’s analytical or systematic thinking, as several different parts of the brain are connecting neural pathways to create a thought or idea.
The Woodlands Book Club hopes to inspire and encourage others to find joy in reading. From non-fiction to fantasy, thrillers to memoirs, there’s something in store for everyone. Join us on our bi-weekly book days online every Thursday at 3:30 pm, on Google Classroom. There are many exciting things planned for the year including book exchanges, book drives, discussions and more!
References
Berns, G. S., Blaine, K., Prietula, M. J., & Pye, B. E. (2013). Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain. Brain connectivity. Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3868356/.
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