Remember when your teacher would toss a book (that looked like it was probably bound together solely for the purpose of torturing high school kids) onto your desk?

You probably weren't too excited to read Pride and Prejudice, Of Mice and Men, or Lord of The Flies in a two week span with tests in between. Some of us, somehow, found a way to maintain our love for reading after this torment. However, others never even gave reading, for their own pleasure, a chance. This is for all of you that we lost along the way and all the reason you should be reading, like us.

1. It reduces stress.

Sitting in your bed, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, with a book is literally therapeutic. When you're completely engulfed in a novel, your worldseizes to exist and you become focused on the world your book's characters live within. It also is really relaxing, for your eyes, to read something that isn't on a lit up screen, for once.

2. You learn something new every time.

It's really amazing how much you can learn from a book that isn't a textbook. Aside from learning new words and phrases, you can even learn about things you had no clue about when you began. Recently, I started a new book about an anthropologist in the 1930's. I can promise you that I knew zero to nothing about 30's anthropology when I first picked this novel up. Now, however, I'm almost certain that I'm an expert.

3. You can explore and experience.

With the help of a few good books, you can explore the world and experience close to everything. You can learn about places, perspectives, skills, and situations without going anywhere or doing anything but reading. This is especially cool if you're a broke college student, like myself.

4. The best feeling in the world is sharing your favorite book with someone.

Introducing someone to your favorite book is even better than your favorite song. Not only do they get an in depth look into your mind but they get a physical copy of it. You both get to share all of the emotions and experiences that came along with it. In addition, it takes a little bit extra time and effort to read someone's favorite book.