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Reading is a powerful tool for personal growth and wellbeing. It reduces stress, boosts mental clarity, and expands your perspective by immersing you in diverse stories and ideas. Are you looking to build a reading habit? Keep reading for tips, resources and recommendations.
The benefits of reading
We hear a lot about the benefits of reading for pleasure in children - in October 2024 the National Literacy Trust released their research into Children and Young People's reading habits and found that reading for pleasure is at an all-time low. For adults however, it's often a given that with increasing demands and responsibilities reading can often be an after-thought. Despite this, it's regular readers that report fewer feelings of stress and depression, as well as feeling less lonely. Moreover, those that read for just 30 minutes per week report higher self-esteem too. So it's true: reading makes you feel good!
Build better reading habits
It's known that there is a strong link between engaging in shared reading experiences, and having a strong connection to reading. Reading groups are the perfect way to do this, and can widen your reading horizons too! Find a reading group at a library near you or discover our Inspire Online Book Club and start discussing your reading journey with likeminded people.
Whether your enjoy your book in paperback, hardback, audio or eBook - it all counts! At Inspire we're fully of the opinion that all books are books, no matter the format. If physical books just aren't for you, why not explore the eLibrary? You'll find popular titles and authors in eBook and eAudio which you can access on your mobile phone, tablet or desktop. We also offer eMagazines and eNewspapers, so you can explore new publications and find something that fits your reading habits.
We love hearing about the your favourite reads! Let us know what you're enjoying during your library visit, or send a recommendation to our Love Reading subscribers. Choose your next title from our Your Next Good Read selection, picked by our librarians each month, or take a look at our Top 100 Most Borrowed lists for more inspiration!
Alternatively, search for authors you might like on Who Writes Like, designed to give you tailored reading recommendations depending on who you already enjoy.
Whether you're looking to establish a better reading routine or simply want to up your reading hours each week, check out the ReadOn app (available on Android and iOS) where you can set reading reminders, explore bookish activities and quizzes, and set your Reading Plan. Find out more about ReadOn from our friends at London Libraries.
According to a 2015 study, adults who spend just 30 minutes reading each week are 20% more likely to report higher life satisfaction. Those 30 minutes might be hard to find, so here's some ideas to help fit reading into your routine!
- Read en route: Your regular bus or train commute can be perfect for getting in a few pages.
- Level up your laundry: Press play on an audio book while doing housework and take your mind elsewhere.
- Stop the scrolling: Tempted to have a scroll on socials over your lunch break, or in the evenings? Try opening up an eBook instead.
- Bedtime bliss: Reading is bed is the top place for adults enjoying their lit - if you can manage to stay awake long enough!
Read for free!
There's no need to shy away, reading is free with your Inspire library card! Join today online or at one of our libraries and start enjoying the benefits within minutes.
