Book Talk

The Many Benefits of Reading for Pleasure

Every year I like to take a moment to remind everyone about the benefits of reading for pleasure. Numerous studies show that students who read for fun on a regular basis experience a range of benefits, including academic achievement, emotional wellbeing, and greater creativity.

A report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that students who read for enjoyment perform significantly better in reading assessments than those who rarely read for fun (OECD, 2010). The study concluded that reading for pleasure builds vocabulary, improves comprehension skills, and stimulates cognitive development.

Beyond academic performance, reading for pleasure has positive effects on mental health and social skills. A review published in the journal Child and Adolescent Mental Health argues that regular reading encourages empathy, reduces stress, and supports emotional resilience (Marek, 2019). Books can introduce students to new perspectives and help them navigate the challenges of adolescence.

So no matter what you read, picking up a book just for fun is a small habit that brings big rewards!

Below are some new books in the library that we reccommend.

Cas ran away to escape his problems. Now, he may have to run for his life. For fans of Tristan Bancks and Katherine Rundell comes this electrifying middle-grade novel about a twelve-year-old called Cas, who runs away to avoid a reunion with his estranged father. Cas soon finds himself lost in the wilderness, completely alone and without help. Or is he?

A collection of poetry and prose from a new Indigenous voice on the Australian literary scene. Dropbear interrogates the complexities of colonial and personal history with an alternately playful, tender and mournful intertextual voice, deftly navigating the responsibilities that gather from sovereign country and the spectres of memory.

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favourite magazine … and a massive secret to keep. Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right? Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend – he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city. But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

References:

OECD (2010). Reading for Pleasure: Unlocking the Benefits.

Marek, E. (2019). “Reading and Wellbeing in Young People.” Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 24(2), 74-79.