For many people, especially young teenagers, reading books can seem like a boring task that you only participate in when you’re being forced to. This is probably due to the years and years of schools requiring students to read snooze-worthy books that were written 100 years ago. However, most people don’t realize that there is a world of literature outside those intimidating 800-page classics. 

This is probably already common knowledge across the world, but it’s important to recognize how much you can learn from a book. Of course, there are many books to teach us about history, science, or math. What people don’t often recognize is that books can teach a person so much more than just that. By following one character’s journey through a book, you can discover how to handle certain emotions and situations. Books can teach you that things aren’t always as they seem, and how to learn patience and kindness. They can push your mind to explore whole different worlds, and there is always an opportunity to learn from those worlds.

Learning is not the only opportunity that books can present. Reading books with a variety of unique characters can open your eyes to different perspectives. It gives you the chance to see the world through a different set of lenses. Being able to see things from someone else’s point of view is eye-opening, and can help you understand how the people around you think and rationalize things. 

Another advantage to observing how characters or authors view the world is possibly finding something that you relate to. Maybe you’ve felt before that no one understands what you are going through or how you feel. Reading books can help you discover that you are not alone in your experiences. Books may even help you overcome certain feelings once you realize that others have felt the same as you. This creates a comforting sense of belonging, which can be a rare feeling for many. 

I experienced something like this not very long ago with a book that is now one of my favorite pieces of literature. I had always felt as though I didn’t have enough time, and that all of my achievements wouldn’t be worth it in the end. I had never talked to anyone about this, and I felt like I was alone. Luckily for me, my friend ended up offering me a copy of one of her favorite books and I decided to give it a try. It’s called The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and this book opened my eyes and helped me realize that I was in fact not alone. I related a lot to the main character who felt as though she didn’t have enough time to experience all that she wanted to experience in her life. This book helped comfort me, and even taught me a few things. The beautiful writing and attention to detail helped me appreciate the little things in life, like the sounds of the ocean or the small, unique habits of the people around me. I see life differently now because of this book, and I believe that the right book could have this same effect on anyone.

I encourage you to overcome any grudging you may have against reading and give it a try. Books can teach a reader so much in a short amount of time, and could even help you grow as a person. There’s so much to discover within just a few inked words, and I think it’s worth it to give reading a chance if you haven’t already. Books can be life-changing without needing to be written by Shakespeare.