Every good book has a hidden message somewhere inside its pages, and if you pay close attention to what is being said, you can learn a lot. People have been reading and writing books for hundreds of years and telling stories for even longer. From nonfiction and sci-fi to tales of fantasy, adventure, and mystery, books can teach their readers so much.
For one thing, a reader’s personal knowledge can be greatly expanded when they read. So many new words can be taken in, strengthening the writing skills of the reader with a more powerful lexicon. Also, many important life lessons are taught in all different kinds of books, and the things that are read in all literary works can benefit people in real life. Not just that, but books can also teach us so much about other lifestyles, allow us to see in our minds places that are different from what we know in every way, and let us open our eyes to new things. The most realistic and mundane people can unlock bright imaginations when they read, while those who already have the trait of creativity can be exposed to even more ways of looking at the world. No doubt about it, reading affects you in positive ways no matter who you are.
In J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter Series (a personal favorite of mine), the author conveyed so many messages to her readers in the books. Oprah Winfrey said, “The greatest thing Harry Potter has given the world is the freedom to use our imagination.” The readers of this series have the feeling that they are a part of all the magic. Additionally, a lot that happened to the characters was relatable to a large audience, and reading the books was like being transported to a different world for many. In the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan (another personal favorite series of mine), the stories are similar to those in many of the most widely-beloved books of our time in the way that they are such unique creations. The Percy Jackson books are such a great mix of history and the modern era, and as they educate, the books themselves become a friend to their readers. In an interview, Rick Riordan reveals that creating a series that readers would enjoy and learn from was what he wanted most, saying that he “[hoped] the Percy Jackson series [would inspire] young readers to explore mythology and to see that anyone, regardless of their background, can be a hero.” Riordan achieved his goal, and the books have reached an extensive level of fame mainly because of what he included in the series. What I mean by that is people enjoyed the books because of how original they were. I think the series carried so many lessons and messages, including humor and adventures, contributing to its popularity.
In conclusion, reading is so crucially important because of everything it can teach you. It is disappointing how so many people have not read lately, and I would love to get people to learn new things by reading books more often instead of playing games online. Online games do not enhance your imagination but make it darker and duller. Books are like the magic items we read about in fantastical stories, capable of transporting those who care to open them to a whole other world with just the flip of the first page.