The Power of Reading: Why Picking Up A Book Might Be Exactly What You Need

As I sit and write this, it’s Friday evening. After a super busy and stressful few weeks where I have felt a tad hopeless at times, I had finally sat down on the sofa to dedicate some time to read and relax. For those of you who will wonder what book it was, it was a proof of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore – I KNOW, I’M FANGIRLING TOO.

After reading the first proper chunk I’ve been able to read in a while, a huge sense of relief came over me. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too – for the first time in the last few weeks, it felt like I took a full breath and finally started to get lost in my book. 

It’s not that I’d forgotten the impact reading has on me, but I’ve had very little time to read recently and when I have had time, my brain has felt busy, wired and distracted. By (gently) forcing myself to sit down and read, I felt completely in awe of how dramatically positive an impact it can have and it honestly felt like a bit of a lifeline at a moment when I really needed it. 

What I’m trying to say is that when you’re not feeling great or things aren’t going your way (for me, it’s been dealing with the stress of running a business and feeling a a lot of pressure) it can be all-encompassing and sometimes, it can feel like there is absolutely no relief. But the power of reading and the pure escapism it can bring is something that I believe is truly unmatched. And the science backs this up; studies have shown that reading for as little as six minutes can reduce stress levels significantly. That's the kind of reminder we all need sometimes.

Nothing Else Comes Close

The ability to pick up a book, regardless of your mood, and be completely transported somewhere new is something that I personally don’t get from anything else. Whether I’m reading something dark and complex and feeling completely distracted from whatever issues I might be facing or picking up a super light-hearted, comforting read that transports you into a small-town with a flower shop and loveable characters, the ability to be taken out of your own reality and experience something else is truly extraordinary. I think I’d forgotten (for a small moment) just how incredible it can be.

If you’re reading this, then it’s probably extremely likely that you’re a reader and book-lover already, so I guess what I’m saying is nothing new and hopefully you can relate. I hope your current book feels like a warm hug (or if you’re reading a thriller/horror or similar, that it makes you feel alive and excited). But if you’re new to reading or are wondering where to start, the answer is: simply anywhere. Pick up what calls out to you, pick up something someone you love has recommended, pick up something that makes you feel intrigued or excited or even sceptical. Just start, without overthinking it or applying too much pressure because once you find that book, author or genre that you click with, it won’t feel like you have to try at all. The best books are the ones where you forget you’re even reading.

The Power of Reading: Where Do You Even Start?

The art of reading isn’t about how much you read, the types of books you choose or whether you hit your Goodreads goal. It’s about the places it can transport you, the feelings it can evoke and the perspectives it can shift. Whether you’re having a fabulous day or a super difficult one, there will always be a book you can pick up. There will always be a place you can go to. And who knows, it might even help a difficult day, week or year, feel just a little bit lighter.

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P.S I am a reader, not a writer, and this is the first time I’ve written anything other than an email or Google Chat message, so please bear with me. I guess that’s the power of reading too – it made me feel passionate enough to write about it!

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Written by: Sian

Sian is the Founder of Chapter 25 Book Club and a lifelong book-lover. When she's not running the business or attending a book club, you'll find her on the sofa with a proof copy and a cup of tea... probably fangirling.