National Book Month
October 18, 2019
National Book Month is an annual designation observed in October. As the warm temperatures start to leave us for the winter, it’s the perfect time to put on some cozy boots, grab a cup of Dunkin' and sit back on the bus, train, or trolley with a good book. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and forget to enjoy the little things. Many of us put our relaxing hobbies like reading on the backburner, but this month, pick up a few new books and use your commute time to read them. It’s a great hobby to get into!
Reading is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, and research shows it also greatly improves vocabulary, spelling, and even memory. Here are five other reasons you should get your nose buried in a great piece of literature this month.
Reading provides mental stimulation. Just like any other muscle in our bodies, our brains need exercise and nourishment to help it stay strong and healthy. Studies have also shown that it can slow, or even prevent altogether, diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dimentia.
It reduces stress. Reading has the power to take you to another place and help you forget about any stress going on in your life in the real world. Take a well-deserved break and sit down with a book.
It provides you with knowledge. Even if you’re reading fiction, everything you take in provides your brain with new knowledge… And that’s something that can never be taken away from you.
Reading expands your vocabulary and memory, according to research. The more you read, the more you get exposed to new words and expressions, which strengthens your personal vocabulary more and more each day. It improves your memory because it trains your brain to remember characters, plots, and other things that are happening in your book after you set it down.
Last but certainly not least, it’s free entertainment! And if you ask us, it’s entertainment in the best form. When you read a book, your mind creates its own images of each character and setting, meaning the story is just a little bit different for everyone who reads it. It makes it more personal and exciting for you, and it provides entertainment that can last hours.
Not sure what to read? Check out this list of recommended titles we gathered from riders from 2017, grab a title (or two!) from our Books in Transit racks, head to your nearest public library, hop the Manayunk/Norristown Line to The Spiral Bookcase in Manayunk (PSST...YOU'VE GOT PERKS) or the Lansdale/Doylestown Line to the The Doylestown Bookshop, a locally owned and operated bookstore in Doylestown dedicated to preserving the heritage and traditions of independent bookstore ideals (PSST... YOU'VE GOT PERKS), and you can also shop for books at The Lahaska Bookshop, conveniently located in Peddler's Village (PSST...YOU'VE GOT PERKS).
Another title to check out is 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die. Written by Irene Levy Baker, this book includes a bucket list of tried and true attractions and hidden gems along with a tip for each. Save $1 thanks to this Perk!
Whatever you're reading - tell us! So that we can share with fellow riders. Leave the title (and author if you think of it) in the comments below. One lucky commenter will receive a $25 Dunkin' gift card! Winner will be notified on November 1, 2019.
