Written by: Rtr. Jayani Wickramasinghe

“Reading maketh a full man”; this is a world famous saying that we hear from our childhood itself. Going along with this, I too started my reading journey as did many of us out there. Reading is a very famous hobby all around the world, which compelled UNESCO declare 9th of August as the world Book lovers’ day. This day is engraved in the heart of many bibliophiles. This is a day celebrated to show the gratitude and love towards the authors who play a tedious effort in transforming their amazing thoughts to ink on the paper. Giving life to frictional realms is not an easy task and require countless hours. Hats off to all the authors who give their immense contributions just to see a smile on the readers face.

A book is not just a piled up heap of pages but it is a place filled with adventure, happiness, sorrow, anger and fear. A good reader can also feel loved just by reading the words of author. Also a well written piece of literature is capable of building a tight bond between the reader and the story. And later the book communicates with the reader through emotions and feelings.

Personally, I enjoy reading as it helps me to forget my current situations and takes me to another imaginary world. The best part about reading is when you lose yourself in the events of a fiction and you start playing the main role in the story. I myself have experienced this many times and this feeling evokes a sense of humor once you just stop reading and transition to the everyday life. When you start loving the book you read you start feeling the emotions, the sensations, and the ups and downs as the story proceeds. It also let you experience the feelings and emotions of those characters within it and can help to get a clear sense of what going through different situations may have felt like.

Books from Agatha Christie inspired me the most in my journey of reading. These stories were mostly detective type like the most famous Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle. These books are so well written that we feel overwhelmed. But fortunately once the mystery is solved we feel thrilled and satisfied. That is actually what the writer wants us to feel about his masterpiece. According to my personal experience Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle are 100% successful in creating the visual backgrounds that make the readers cross their limits of imagination and critical thinking.

Beyond the personal benefits, reading has a profound impact on society as a whole. Studies have shown that individuals who read regularly tend to have higher levels of empathy, critical thinking skills, and emotional intelligence. These qualities are essential for building strong communities and fostering a more just and equitable world.

Moreover, reading plays a crucial role in education and lifelong learning. It helps to develop vocabulary, improve grammar, and enhance overall language skills. A strong foundation in reading is essential for success in school and in the workplace.

Today the world is transforming to a more digitalized one and books too have undergone this critical change. Now we can find E-books, audio books, digital libraries that have made reading more accessible than ever before. These digitalized versions of books allow to listen or read books while commuting and also it helps to connect readers across the globe.

Nowadays from youngest to the oldest are being gripped by the digital age and smart devices are like an accessory carried along. Due to this change the society is more prone to use e-books. I myself read e-books. But staring at illuminated screens can lead to several health issues.

To gain the allure towards reading I prefer physical books. The feel of paper beneath the fingertips, the warm aroma you get when turning the pages and the quiet rustling of pages creates a unique rapport between the reader and the text and also creates a tangible connection with the authors mind.

Benefits gained through reading cannot be counted or mentioned in a line or two because book lovers have never failed in their life and will not fail in the future as well. As you learn through mistakes, book worms learn through inspirational stories and experiences undergone by the characters of a masterpiece. Also reading helps to be mindful and react and escape from danger. As we come across books from different nations we get to step into shoes of people from various cultures, backgrounds, and time periods.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, a man who never reads live only one”. So let’s hold hands to avoid the deterioration of reading habits in our younger generation who are moving to a more digitalized society and spending countless hours on social media. Let us celebrate this World book lovers’ day as an opportunity to spread awareness and create a passion for reading by sharing our favorite books with others and inspire a new generation of readers. Let’s turn on airplane mode on our smart devices and grab a book and celebrate the day that is dedicated to all the readers out there and the authors who have enriched our lives with their creativity and insight.

Happy World Book Lovers’ Day!

Graphic Design by: Rtr. Sandali Mendis