Two of my favourite past-times (when I’m not gardening!) are books and games. We have way so many books that they’re often piled up on shelves or even stuck into shelves two rows deep! And we have to keep making more and more game storage to accommodate our ever-growing collection of games.
So I thought this week I’d start delving deeply into the worth of these two pastimes. They really are wonderful ways to spend your time – alone or with others, and they make fabulous gifts for loved ones when you can’t think what to buy.
This week I’m going to cover the place of books in a happy life.
I’m an author because I see the inherent merit of books. Fiction might lift our mood if we enjoy romance, comedy or uplit, or give us a dose of adrenaline if we’re into horror or paranormal. Non-fiction can provide insight and information, and some can be handy to have around, like cookbooks and maintenance manuals. Kid’s picture books can brighten a day and teach valuable lessons. I still get out my favourite picture books about gardening for inspiration! Think And The Good Brown Earth by Kathy Henderson, and Oliver’s Vegetables by Vivian French.
Did you know reading can help your brain function better, reduce your stress levels, boost your intelligence, help your social skills and may even lead to a longer life? Go check out the benefits of reading and other websites like it if you want to find out how reading is a health activity!
If you can, support self-published and indie authors – it means the world to us. Margaret Attwood (The Handmaid’s Tale) and E.L. James (Fifty Shades of Grey) started out self-published, so you might get in early on some great new writers. When you see an ad on your social media feed, take a minute to go check out the author’s website. You can look for books at your library first, if you’re unsure, and if they don’t have it, you can ask them to buy it in. Authors get royalties from library borrowings if they register their book.
If you’ve enjoyed a book yourself, you have an inside track on who might enjoy it as a present!
Books really are a little ray of relaxation and happiness in a well-lived life.
Joni Page 