A Book is a Gift you Open Again and Again
Reading provides an escape from everyday life. When you lose yourself in a good novel, the stressors from the day vanish. It provides an opportunity to experience different cultures and perspectives.
Proven Health Benefits
It’s good for the brain, as shown in a study reported in the National Library of Medicine. Reading strengthens the brain by increasing connectivity in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to physical sensation and pain. Those who read improve their cognitive functioning.
Reading increases empathy. Researchers have found that readers have a heightened ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of characters in the stories they read, increasing empathy for others.
It builds vocabulary.
Those who read live longer than those who don’t, as reported in The Survival Advantage of Reading Books.
I enjoy reading many different genres, but historical fiction is one of my favorites. It helps me appreciate and understand what was happening at a certain time in history from a character’s point of view. Below are some of my favorites - and a few others that are on my list to read next.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest at a hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Finding strength and resilience, the Count builds a full life. I love the twists and turns of this book, and I love the ending!
Though not fiction, this is a terrific story about the choices we make in response to situations that we have no control over. As a young 16-year old, Edith finds herself in Auschwitz. It’s an inspiring story about how we create prisons in our minds and how we can find the freedom to overcome.
As a follow up to The Choice, Edith Eger details a practical guide to changing our thoughts and behaviors, freeing our minds of negative self-limiting beliefs.
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
A gifted architect finds courage in developing hiding places for Jewish people during the Nazi occupation in Paris. It was suspenseful. It was also enlightening to read how friendships develop and the lengths that people will go to do the right thing.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
I had no knowledge of the World War spy ring before reading this book. Based on a true story, it follows two women, who are spy recruits for the Alice Network, a British-based group of spies who gather intelligence in France and Belgium. I love that the heroines are female.
Another novel by Kate Quinn, this is the story about a soviet pilot who tracks down a Nazi war criminal. It can be read on its own and isn’t necessarily a sequel to The Alice Network. It was fascinating and well researched. There really was a thing called the Night Witches, an all-women group of pilots of Russia’s 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment.
The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
This is a love story at its core. Yes, there are descriptors of the horrors of Auschwitz. Based on a true story, it is inspiring as well. In the face of one of the greatest atrocities in history, the love between two people and lengths that they will go to survive are beautifully told.
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris
This is a story that should be read after reading The Tatooist. Though, Cilka’s Journey is a new storyline and could stand on its own, the main protagonist is first introduced in the aforementioned book. Based on a true story, Cilka’s bravery and strength are masterfully teased out by the author, who explores Cilka’s life after release from the concentration camp.
Book Clubs
For those who join book clubs, it’s a wonderful way to socialize. Book clubs foster a love of reading, help to keep accountable for reading a certain number of books in a year, and enhance the reading experience by sharing it with others. Talking about the book affords each an opportunity to gain a different perspective by listening to other’s opinion about a circumstance or character in the story.
Consider a book swap party!
When distance or life’s complications get in the way of a monthly book club meeting, there is still a way to share a love of reading with friends. Perhaps once or twice a year, groups of friends can gather for a “book swap” party. Each person can bring a favorite book, new or used, wrapped in fun paper. Adhere to the wrapped book a piece of paper or index card that explains why the book is a favorite and perhaps a bit about it without revealing the title.
Once the mingling and eating is over, the swapping begins. Consider the same type of rules as a yankee swap. Each person in random order will pick a wrapped book from the pile, read the card on the outside and try to guess the title. After unwrapping it to reveal the book, the next person goes. When that person unwraps the book, they have an option to exchange the book with the person before them or keep the book. And so it continues until all books have been unwrapped.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what books were brought to the party? I cannot think of a better way to share a favorite book with dear friends. And what fun to host a yankee swap type event that doesn’t happen during the busy holiday season!
What are some of your favorite reads? Share in the comment section below.