Top Ten Tuesday – Reasons Why I Read

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Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Reasons Why I Love Reading.  I feel like I’ve done this topic before but couldn’t find a post for it anywhere on the blog.  Hopefully I’m not rehashing something I’ve already talked about, haha.

 

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via GIPHY

Reasons Why I Read

 

1. I read to escape from whatever is causing me stress. This became especially important during the pandemic when everyday became nothing but stress.

 

2. I read to satisfy my wanderlust.  I love to read novels set in my favorite travel destinations and to discover new ones.

 

3. I read to learn new things.  This is why I’m so drawn to historical fiction and why I have tried to read more nonfiction than usual this year.  I think it’s good to always be learning new things and reading is an enjoyable way to accomplish that.

 

4. I read to help me consider things from another perspective.  I like when books challenge my usual way of thinking about something.

 

5. I read for the nostalgia factor. I love to revisit old favorites from my childhood. I think this is why I’m so drawn to fairytale retellings.  It’s like revisiting an old friend but with a twist.

 

6. I read to avoid potentially awkward social interactions.

 

7. I read to live vicariously through fictional characters and have experiences I’ll probably never have in my own life.

 

8. I read to connect with my child.  I make a point to read whatever my son is reading for school so that we can talk about it together.

 

9. I read because it’s like exercise for my brain.  A book leaves me with food for thought in a way that most movies and TV shows just don’t.

 

10. I read to relax and wind down at night.  Nothing helps me fall asleep more consistently than reading.  (Well, unless I’m reading a book I can’t put down, haha!)

 

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Question:  Why do you read?

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42 replies
  1. RO
    RO says:

    Another great topic, and I have to be honest, I’m not sure anyone has ever asked me why I read. They just commented and called me a nerd for the most part.(lol) I see lots of the same reasons I read on your list, and reading is definitely relaxing, and I have a need to learn all I can whenever possible. It’s also fun to escape into other worlds. For me, it used to be the world of romance, but now, I get excited with the intrigue of thrillers and some of the reminders of the military. I still plan to keep reading, collecting more books and reading.(lol) Hope you’re having an awesome day! Hugs, RO

  2. Mica
    Mica says:

    I agree so much with that last point, haha! With two little ones I only get to read at night when they are in bed asleep – so I read before I fall asleep but more than once the book has been a real page turner and I’ve stayed up much too late, haha!

    I do sometimes take books into the garden when I’m sitting there as the kids play but I’m often too distracted joining in with the games or answering questions to get much reading done, ha!

    Hope your week is going well 🙂

  3. Angela
    Angela says:

    I think the wanderlust factor has definitely been important this past year plus. Without the ability to go anywhere, it’s great that we could travel through books.

  13. Jo
    Jo says:

    Some great reasons on here, I especially love #8, my dad used to read to me as kid and it’s what made me fall in love with books!

  14. Greg
    Greg says:

    Escapism seems to be a big one on a lot of lists- i know it is for me. Historical fiction is nice too, to explore certain eras and feel like we’re experiencing life there. New perspectives… and nostalgia too. I love revisiting old favorites!

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      I do too. I saw the Choose Your Own Adventure books on your list and was immediately flooded with fun childhood memories from reading those.

  17. ShootingStarsMag
    ShootingStarsMag says:

    All very good reasons. I strongly believe that growing up reading made me more empathetic and more self-aware, which is great. It’s also just an escape or fun sometimes! I read for all sorts of reasons.

  18. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books says:

    I love how you mention the nostalgia factor. There is nothing else like a book that can connect with a particular place and time. And rereading an old favorite is such a comforting feeling.

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      Same here. That has come in very handy during the pandemic where I really felt like I needed something comforting.

  20. Olivia-Savannah
    Olivia-Savannah says:

    Those are all good reasons for reading! I also agree with a lot of these – escape, wanderlust, to learn and escape interaction. Especially in terms of relaxing. Relaxing with a book and a cup of tea is everything to me.

  21. trin carl
    trin carl says:

    Love escapism and wanderlust. If you are into contemporaries, I’d recommend “I Just haven’t Met You.” –very cute and such a unique plot idea.

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