BE AWESOME! BE A BOOK NUT!

    “Be Awesome! Be a book nut!”  
 Dr. Seuss wrote this quote decades ago but it still rings true today. 

Jewell Tweedt

Hi, I’m Jewell Tweedt and I’m excited to talk about the benefits of reading today on Seekerville. 

Here’s a little about me- I am a full-time middle school teacher with a masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I write historical fiction and contemporary mysteries and I am a Grace Awards finalist. My latest novel is Lessons Learned-Grace’s Secret set in 1870’s Nebraska. It is the fourth book in the Back to Omaha adventures series.

As a teacher I know how reading can benefit people of all ages. So if you ever feel guilty about taking time to plunk down with a good book and a cup of tea then wipe that guilt away because reading is good for you and everyone around you. So here we go with five benefits of reading and quotations by some pretty impressive people. And thanks to lifehack.org for some of these ideas.

1.    Mental stimulation. If we exercise our bodies then we should also exercise our minds. Studies show reading keeps your brain active and engaged. It’s even been suggested that reading may slow down or prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Hand me a book, quick!

Best-selling author Gary Paulsen writes “I owe everything I am and everything I will be to books.” His love of reading and a lot of hard work has earned him a very successful career and multiple opportunities to influence thousands of adolescents and adults. In my school reading is a top priority and time is built into each day’s schedule for students to read what they want to read. It works. Our test scores improve yearly.

 In Lessons Learned-Grace’s Secret, Grace Freeport is Omaha’s schoolmarm. Shocked to realize most of her children have no books at home she uses her own collection to set up the town’s first public library and the response is overwhelmingly positive. “Miz Freeport, this is a fine thing you’ve done for us.”

2.       Stress reduction and tranquility. In today’s internet driven world and too-busy schedules, a good book can transport you into another realm and reduce your stress.

"Reading is the sole means by which we slip involuntarily, often helplessly into another’s voice, another’s soul.” Joyce Carol Oates. 

Sure beats taking anxiety medication. Seriously, we all need to slow down and enjoy ourselves more and reading is a safe, fun way to do that. Lester Newman, a student in my novel, knows this.  “Eyes wide with anticipation he carefully selected Treasure Island opened it to the first page and began to read.”   

3.       Reading provides knowledge. The more knowledge you have the better equipped you are to succeed in life or at least understand why things happen the way they do. History is full of enthusiastic readers who made monumental changes that impact us even today. President Thomas Jefferson’s thirst for knowledge led to him having the largest personal library in the United States in the 1800s. After he read several volumes about the frontier he made the famous Louisiana Purchase doubling the size of the United States and then sent Lewis and Clark to explore it. Jefferson wrote “I cannot live without books.”  Neither can I.

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 In Lessons Learned Lester Newman is looking at his teacher’s collection. “Miss Freeport, I’ve never seen so many books. That’s how come you’re so smart.”   
  

4.       Vocabulary expansion and memory improvement. Being articulate and well-spoken helps in any profession and situation. When you are reading you are developing thoughts and memories that forge new brain synapses and strengthen existing ones. And you can take those books anywhere. Stephen King writes “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

According to a study by the Pew Research Center adults still prefer paper over e-books. Sixty-five percent of readers surveyed had read a paper or hardbound book in the past year compared to twenty-eight percent who had read an e-book. E-book sales surged in 2007 but began leveling off about three years ago. Those who do mostly use a tablet or a cell phone like my students.  

5.       Better writing skills. Readers can learn to write better. By observing the cadence, fluidity and writing styles of authors readers can hone their own skills. As a teacher, I can often tell which of my writers are readers. One of the basic rules of being a writer is to read constantly. To quote Dr. Seuss again, “Be awesome! Be a book nut!”

  To celebrate the recent release of Lessons Learned-Grace’s Secret I will be giving away an autographed copy to one lucky person who leaves a comment here on Seekerville. To see other books in the series please visit my blog at tweedtjewell.blogspot.com. I can be reached at tweedtjewell@gmail.com. My books are also available on Amazon.com.

Thank you Seekerville ladies. And to all of you, your homework today is to keep on reading!