Summer Reading

By: Jana Brem

One of my most favorite activities during the summer is to sit on my back patio swing and read a good book! Sitting out in the sunshine is an excellent way to soak up vitamin D while benefiting yourself in other ways. The 17th century English writer Joseph Addison once wrote, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Reading is good for you! Here are several benefits;

• Reading is a form of entertainment. Did you know that a lot of movies were first books?

• Reading improves your focus, memory, and communication skills.

• Reading can reduce stress, improve your mental health, and help you live longer.

• Reading also allows you to learn new things to help you succeed in your work and your relationships.

• Reading can combat loneliness-you get connected to the characters. 

Reading is especially good for children. It helps them build their vocabulary and learn cognitive skills. It can also build a bond between a parent and child by having a nightly routine of reading together before going to sleep.

Some of the books I would like to read this summer are;

• “Asking Better Questions of the Bible” by Marty Solomon

• “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owen’s

• “Change Your Brain Every Day” by Daniel Amen

• “You’re Saying it Wrong” by Kathryn Petras and Ross Petras

• “Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come” by Jessica Pan

• “Unpunished” by Michelle Kenney

What does your list consist of? Do you love a good mystery? Maybe you prefer a biography about a favorite person, or perhaps a fictional book that you can just get lost in. I believe an important example we can set for our children is exposing them to all kinds of books and letting them see that we love to read! There’s nothing better that a child grabbing their favorite book and jumping on your lap to have you read it to them.

The YMCA is a great place for kids to exercise their mind and body. They have several before and after school programs available. Go to Daytonymca.org and click on the programs and classes tab to find activities for youth and family.