“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” – Harry Truman
Wow! The last month of 2016 is upon us! It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by. Is the same with you?
I am to delighted conduct my 1st annual ‘Best Book Read Survey’.
Reading inspirational and faith books are one of my favourite pastimes and like English Author, Neil Gaiman observed “A book is like a dream you hold in your hand”.
How many books have you read or listened to in 2016? It will range from none to as many as fifty. If zero, I hope that you will intentionally make out some time in the future to practice the habit of regularly reading books. The practice of reading is one of those important but not urgent items, but serve us incredibly well.
Some of the benefits of reading, as culled from the Readers’ Digest Magazine include:
Reading keeps your brain young – Digging into a good book can literally take years off your mind, according to a recent study from Rush University Medical Center as reported by Prevention. Adults who spent their downtime doing creative or intellectual activities (like reading) had a 32 percent slower rate of cognitive decline later in life than those who did not. Another recent study found that older adults who regularly read or play mentally challenging games like chess or puzzles are two and a half times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, reported ABC News.
Reading can melt away stress – Snuggling up with a good read tamps down levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol, Weight Watchers recently reported. In a British study, participants engaged in an anxiety-provoking activity and then either read for a few minutes, listened to music, or played video games. The stress levels of those who read dropped 67 percent, which was a more significant dip than that of the other groups.
Reading can encourage life goals – Reading about someone who overcame obstacles may motivate you to meet your own goals, Ohio State University researchers found. If you’d like a raise, following a character into the boss’s office may give you the courage to make the same request. The more you identify with a character and experience the events as if they were happening to you, the more likely you’ll be to take action.
I will like to know the best book (fictional and/or non-fictional) that you have read in 2016. I will compile a list of these best books of 2016 and send the list to you. The survey closes on 14th December. I hope you will participate in this survey.
If you have not read any book this year, I still want to hear from you and will send you the list of ‘Best Books of 2016’. This might stir you to develop the habit of regular reading.
I hope that you will respond to this survey. I am certain there will be 1 or 2 books from this survey that you never knew existed. And when you read it will add tremendous value to you!
I look forward to receiving your response,