Reading for Health
Posted Thu, 02/23/12
According to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, reading a book more than once can offer mental health benefits.
Via Shelf Awareness and Daily Mail Online (UK):
The first time people read a book, they are focused on events and stories. The second time through, the repeated experience reignites the emotions caused by the book, and allows people to savor those emotions at leisure. Even though people are already familiar with the stories or the places, re-consuming brings new or renewed appreciation of both the object of consumption and their self.
Given the immense benefits for growth and self-reflexivity, re-consuming actually appears to offer many mental health benefits. People should not hesitate to go back and re-read or re-view what they have already done. A once in a lifetime experience can easily appeal to people again.
There are only a handful of books I enjoy re-reading every five years or so. They include:
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Bledding Sorrow by Marilyn Harris
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A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford
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The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
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The Thornbirds by Colleen McCullough
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Trinity by Leon Uris
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Shogun by James Clavell
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Legacy by Susan Kay
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Mary, Queen of Scots: Immortal Queen by Elizabeth Byrd
I've also found myself going back to Alison Weir titles, most of which have to do with the Tudor period of English history. I'm especially fond of Henry VIII: The King & His Court and The Life of Elizabeth I.
Many of the books I enjoy are lengthy reads, generally more than 500 pages each. Lucky for me, I'm a fast reader!
Tags: Books & Reading