Technology has gained a reader audience with Electronic Books and simply being on social media sites. Whether it is fake news or informational texts, people are reading. Those who are reader enthusiasts still love traditional books. They feel the scent of the pages made out of wood from trees. They love thumbing through the leaves of the book. Being able to touch the hard copies of an actual book gives a nostalgic feeling to it on the evolution of books and that they are part of the reading pioneers and still holding on to the tradition.
E-books have gained popularity amongst the younger generations. It is a quick snap with a touch of their fingers to have it easily accessible. But is the readership more retained with the infused knowledge? Or is it easily forgotten? Moving on quickly from one topic to another can either make you retain it in your memory better or forget about it.
Everything has become “instant” with the onset of technology. Does that also mean what you are reading is instantly forgotten? Students at present are lucky in the sense that not all of them go to physical libraries anymore. The library they go to? Photos on their gadgets. The library they listen to? The Music library in iTunes, Spotify or any music provider. But years ago, you would not have been able to come up with a good research paper if you had not gone to the library to find the books and other reading materials you needed to create a written work worth passing on to your teacher.
A PREFERENCE FOR PHYSICAL BOOKS
If you are of the old school of learning, you would still prefer real and actual books, either soft or hardbound, but still, physical ones that you can hold. But from the Millennials onwards to the Gen Z? E-books are where it’s at. Especially after the pandemic, students had to struggle with their online classes. It was challenging not only for the students but with the teachers as well.
But reading is not only for young readers; it is also for adults. When children have good role models in reading, they become avid readers themselves. For the elderly, reading is not only to widen their knowledge but also to delay the slow process of having Alzheimer’s disease. The fact that elderly readers make a habit out of it makes their brains function. It has their think tank going. Thus, reading means slowing the deterioration of memory.
One good recommendation for the elderly is to read and exercise their brain. For example, they might want to solve puzzles or solve problems with numbers. Challenge your parents to compute mentally, as it does help boost their way of thinking rather than being idle. You can engage the elderly with crossword puzzles and sudoku, play a game of Scrabble, or have them check the receipts when you eat.
Real Simple, a site on preventative health, discusses in detail the Eight Benefits of Reading Print Books, according to Science. They are: (1) increases intelligence; (2) boosts brain power; (3) makes you more empathetic; (4) helps you better understand the content; (5) reduces risk of Alzheimer’s; (6) helps you relax; (7) improves sleep; and lastly, (8) encourages life-long reading.
READING IS A PRECIOUS HABIT
This goes without saying that there is motor development and enhanced brain function in young children until it becomes an adaptative behavior of reading to them. It opens their imagination to a new world they’re reading and makes them more relatable and empathetic to other people. The more you read, the more you understand. But you should note that not all you read is factual or based on truth, so to be able to determine by yourself what you are reading depends on your mind’s enrichment. There is better comprehension with a broader range of reading. You only have to filter out and differentiate what is true and correct from what is baseless or bogus stories.
Whether E-books or hard copies, reading these opens up a different world and takes you to places. It can also be a way of gaining knowledge and developing your brain’s capacities. In the same way that you cannot let there be stagnant water, or otherwise, it would only be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, when you let your mind imagine and think to become more creative and dream of a new world with pages yet to unfold before you, reading is worth a gem in life. It is not a waste of time or energy. Reading is truly a precious habit to develop for young and old alike. Reading is an investment in growth and development.
