Why Read? A Heartfelt Letter to Non-Readers

That’s an interesting question. For non-readers, it might be a valid one, since they have little or no interest in investing their time in something they consider trivial. But at the same time, readers out there might think, “What kind of question is that? That’s absurd.”

The thing is, non-readers are just failing to see the real beauty in books - the writing, and the vivid images they build in our hearts.

If you ever go online and search for the benefits of reading, you’ll probably see things like:

• Build vocabulary

• Improve communication skills

• Expand knowledge

• Reduce stress

• Enhance empathy

• Stimulate the brain

• Improve sleep

• Increase lifespan

You might be thinking, “How is she listing all of this so precisely?” It’s because I just browsed the internet to get a better idea of what I’m about to write. So please don’t laugh.

Anyway, all the things I mentioned above (a.k.a. what the browser told me) are absolutely valid and true. Those are real benefits of reading.

But the point I’m going to mention here holds even more importance than all of that - especially in the long run of our lives.

You might be wondering what it is. Most readers may have already guessed it: HAPPINESS. And along with happiness, I’d also include the way reading affects our imagination and ideas.

Have you ever felt pressured? Worried? Broke? Or just overwhelmed - like you need to escape from everything because you can't handle it anymore?

That’s where books come into play.

Non-readers, just trust me once. Even if I’m a stranger to you, I’d love it if you tried this for yourself - not for me. Whenever you feel trapped in negative emotions, just go grab a book. It doesn’t matter which genre (unless it’s a directory, lol).

What genre are you reading?

Non-fiction? You’ll find motivation, life lessons, confidence, empowerment, new ideas - and most importantly, personal growth. That’s what you really need when you feel like you’re stuck in a pit.

Fiction? You might already know what I’ll say here. This is the genre I turn to most when I’m feeling down. A good story takes you to another world — one that doesn’t even exist - helping you escape from the one you’re in.

Biography? The reasons here are obvious. Biographies show us the lives of others, and everyone goes through struggles. These stories teach us how to deal with hard times. They can inspire, guide, and support us in unexpected ways.

History or ancient cultures? These take us to a time we never lived in - to unknown worlds we explore through the narrator’s eyes. They challenge us while teaching us facts in a fun and memorable way.

Travel books? They take us to places we’ve never been - somewhere else in the world, or maybe even the universe. They spark a desire to explore new places, experience different foods and cultures, and realize that the world is bigger than we’ve ever imagined.

Cookbooks? Don’t you feel tempted to taste the delicious food being described?

Nature or eco-books? The plants, animals, rivers, forests - don’t they remind you how beautiful the natural world really is?

So are you really just going to sit at home watching movies or playing games instead of grabbing a book and escaping into a new world? Without even giving it a try?

To be clear, I’m not against movies, series, or games - I love them too. I spend a lot of time on those things. But trust me, reading belongs right up there with them. In fact, for me, reading is above them all.

Just think about this:

It’s lightly raining outside. You’re cozy in your room, near the window, wrapped in a blanket. There’s an amazing book in your hand, a cup of coffee on your table, and a mesmerizing, aromatic candle flickering beside it.

You pause your reading for a moment and glance outside. You see a small plant in your flowerpot gently swaying its head, as if it’s enjoying the peaceful day - soaking up the rain, renewing itself, simply living its best life.

Your heart feels full. The soft scent of the candle, the rhythmic sound of the rain, the dancing plant, the coffee letting out gentle wisps of steam like it’s exhaling warmth into the room - and the scene you’ve reached in your book - everything feels perfect.

Your Story

The characters in your story are having a good time, and so are you.

There are only a few pages left, and soon, you’ll have to say goodbye to the characters you've kept close to your heart all this time. It’s a little painful, but your heart quietly whispers, “Till we meet again.”

A small smile forms on your lips. You close your eyes and take a deep breath, savoring every little thing surrounding you.

How many of you were able to truly imagine that moment - and found yourselves smiling at the end?

That’s who I’m talking to. That’s your sign to go grab a book and dive deep into one of those imaginary worlds.

Because with books, you can live a thousand lives, while others may only live the one they were given.

Go. Explore. Experience. Learn. Through books.