My family loves to joke that I learned how to read before I learned to walk. This could very well be true since my earliest childhood memory is of myself sitting on my father’s lap as he read to me from a “Little Golden Books” classic. The above quotation is from my grandma, who also helped introduce me to and have great respect for books. I have been in love with literature ever since! And here are my top 11 reasons why.

11. Reading keeps me on my toes.

From quick retorts by the antagonist to fast-paced battles, it can prove to be fairly difficult to keep up with simultaneous plot lines!

10. Reading improves my writing.

Each author has a writing style. I have created my own based on the complex styles of my favorite writers! I’ve used these tips in my academic work and my writing has greatly improved. (And so have my grades.)

9. Reading builds my vocabulary.

Whether you think I’m pretentious or verbose, my ostentatious vocabulary is due to my reading habit. I learn new words with each book I pick up!

8. Reading entertains me.

As a college student, I don’t have much money for going to the mall or the movies. With free books on my phone, I can entertain myself with no cost to my pocketbook!

7. Reading brightens daily dullness.

When I am waiting in long lines or for classes to start, I open my current read and the time seems to fly by as the pages turn!

6. Reading reduces my stress.

Nothing helps me unwind better than opening up a book and losing myself between the pages of a story that isn’t my own.

5. Reading is a gift.

A large percent of the U.S. population cannot read. By reading books, I'm honoring that gift of literacy.

4. Reading keeps me socially conscious.

I read many types of literature: newspapers, magazines and online articles. I become educated about and can make informed opinions about situations I wouldn’t have otherwise known about!

3. Reading helps me make friends.

Bookworms are everywhere, and we love discussing books! I’ve made some of my best friends through reading and I know that as my shelves continue to grow so will my friend group.

2. Reading inspires me.

Books hold the wisdom from world's ago and universes well into the future. Their words help me tackle my own struggles.

1. Reading makes me happy.

Simply, I read because reading makes me happy!

Call me a nerd, but I was, am, and will forever be a reader.