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Reading We Have Recommendations

Reading offers a wonderful variety of genres to choose from, and every reader can choose his or her favorites. So whether your tastes lean toward classical literature and poetry, or if you love young adult historical fiction and self-help, someone’s writing about it. Don’t forget history, graphic novels, mystery, and memoir are options, too. There are also many who prefer to read non-fiction. Today the Port Landing at Fife has some excellent book suggestions different genres, featuring Goodreads reviews, to get you started. Fantasy Elantris by Brandon Sanderson Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling. Fiction The Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. . . . Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel [to the island]. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. . . . Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them. . . . The Light Between Oceans is exquisite and unforgettable, a deeply moving novel. Non-Fiction Guns, Germs, and Steel:The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond A global account of the rise of civilization that is also a stunning refutation of ideas of human development based on race. Bill Gates calls it fascinating and says it, “Lays a foundation for understanding human history." Historical Fiction Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit In 1861, when war erupted between the States, President Lincoln made an impassioned plea for volunteers. Determined not to remain on the sidelines, Emma Edmonds cropped her hair, donned men’s clothing, and enlisted in the Union Army. Posing in turn as a slave, peddler, washerwoman, and fop, Emma became a cunning master of disguise, risking discovery and death at every turn behind Confederate lines. What’s your favorite genre? Have you read any of our suggested books? If you haven’t head over to the library in Fife and pick up a copy to read soon. Please share your favorite titles in comments.

Reading It Does a Body Good Part II

Last week we shared several of the benefits for reading including expanding vocabulary, and exercising your brain. This week we have additional benefits to add. Read to learn. Education never ends. Everyone can continue to learn through self-directed reading. Whatever you may be interested in, you will most likely be able to find books, journal articles, and online content available. So whether you want to become an expert on the hypnotherapy for childbirth, the American Revolutionary War, or how to build a straw-bale house — the information is out there. This website is a good place to start to find self-education resources. The site creator says this, “studies are now revealing that over 80% of learning is informal and outside of the classroom. This means that curiosity, passion and self-education are the key factors that determine a person’s education and lifelong success.” Reading reduces stress. A study done by Mindlab at the University of Sussex supports the idea that reading reduces stress. The study found that subjects needed to read silently for six minutes to slow down the heart rate, ease tension in the muscles, and relax. Also, according to the study, reading “works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea.” We suggest that everyone at Port Landing at Fife take some time out to read this month. Grab a book, head to your favorite reading spot, and get lost in a different time and place for awhile; it will do your body good. Read for pleasure. Reading is the perfect way to take a “vacation for the mind” and go exploring — roam ancient cities, navigate worlds beyond the borders of earth, take part in defining moments in history, or forage into the future. Travel world without leaving your armchair. Give yourself the benefit of reading every day. Next time we will have some book recommendations. Happy reading everyone!

Reading It Does a Body Good

An optimum way to increase your vocabulary is to read regularly. Why is having a strong vocabulary important? Having an in-depth vocabulary contributes to being able to speak articulately. Author Karen Witemeyer put it this way, “Read. Everything you can get your hands on. Read until words become your friends. Then when you need to find one, they will jump into your mind, waving their hands for you to pick them. And you can select whichever you like, just like a captain choosing a stickball team.” Having the right words to express yourself is a part of being well-spoken, and being well-spoken can affect your bottom line; speaking with confidence with supervisors and directors could aid your career, as people who can communicate well tend to receive more promotions more quickly. Another benefit of regular reading, in addition to expanding your vocabulary, is expanding your worldview. Through the pages of books we can catch a glimpse of other cultures, times, places, and events. Having an awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs, and global events contributes means being able to take part in intelligent conversation in whatever social situation you may be a part of. Another important advantage of reading is that it keeps the mind agile. According to this ABC News article , studies have shown that reading regularly, playing mentally challenging games, or doing puzzles slows the progress of diseases like dementia and alzheimer's. Like many skills, “use it or lose it” applies to our brains. We think reading is a powerful way to keep an edge with our mental skills. Reading can be educational, inspiring, and a pleasant way to escape the daily grind. It can help you experience adventures around the world, right from an armchair in our Port Landing at Fife apartment. In our next blog post we’ll continue to explore the benefits of reading. Why do you like to read? Please feel free to share in the comments.