by P Vandegrift

Created on: July 31, 2010   Last Updated: August 01, 2010

Reading one book a week might seem like a daunting task, but when you consider that you have many options to choose from it becomes more of a personal challenge than an impossibility.

Why read one book a week?

Reading does help us relax. Lets us take our minds of the stress of the news or other affairs, even if it is for just one or two hours. We can get lost in romance, fantasy, history, supernatural, mystery, space exploration, or superheroes. We can learn about strategy, how complex crimes are solved, put ourselves in the midst of little known battles or observe an ancient race of people, hike up fantastical mountains, and learn innermost secrets of famous movie stars.

There is a reason for the quote "the book is better than the film". Because indeed in many cases they are better, but with the invention of Kindle and new iPhone apps that allow you to download books, our childhood friend - the 'paperback' - gets sent out to left field. People do read more on-line now, but when asked, a good percentage of people love the feel and smell of a book, even the joy of finding a most beloved tale at the used bookstore brings a long lost smile to our face. Reading on-line is convenient, but reading a book in bed or curled up in a comfy chair really sets a story's atmosphere.

Reading a book a week, when you are a book lover, is not a chore. It becomes a most welcome opportunity for your own personal time away from the job, kids, partner. Almost like having your own tree-house to hide in. It encourages new thoughts, helps you take your mind off the old ones, can give you inspiration for your own stories and new ones. It is not being didactic to say that it also increases vocabulary and new ways of communicating and processing your thoughts. When you open up your mind to the storytelling skills of the writer, you are exposed to new ways of expression and descriptions of situations. Your thought processes expand, and you may find yourself in situations where previously you may not have felt confident adding anything to the conversation, but now you can make an audible observation without self-deprecation. A few new words or turns of phrase can open the door to new acquaintances and new perspectives.

It can also lead you to a new career or hobby, perhaps. you love history and you've just read about ancient fortress or village? Check and see if you can volunteer on an archaeological dig. Or maybe you'd like

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