This past October, I had the privilege of participating in the Decatur Book Festival, an incredible event for a first-time author like me. Setting up my booth to share my book and my husband’s artwork inspired by the book was an exciting new experience.

Arriving early, I was surrounded by authors and small bookstore owners, each eager to share their stories. The festival grounds soon filled with thousands of adults and children, all enthusiastic about finding a book to take home. It was heart warming to witness such passion for reading, and I joined the crowd to explore the festival, speak with fellow authors, and pick up a few books for myself.

As people passed my booth, with books in hand, discussing favorites and new finds, I was struck by the genuine love for reading here—something that seems to be declining. In an age when most of us, even kids, scroll endlessly on our phones, spending an average of just seconds on a news article, it’s easy to wonder if we’re losing the patience for deeper reading. Pew Research reported that in 2021, 23% of American adults hadn’t read a single book in the past year, indicating a gradual decrease in reading habits. The American Psychological Association reports that young adults and teenagers are reading fewer books for pleasure than previous generations.

This decline raises questions about the impact to human development. Here’s what research suggests about the many benefits we gain from reading and what we could be losing.

• Better Cognitive Health: Regular reading keeps the brain active and promotes cognitive health, potentially delaying the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s by strengthening neural pathways.

• Enhanced Memory and Focus: Reading books requires deep engagement, enhancing concentration, memory retention, and critical thinking over time.

• Stress Reduction: Reading especially fiction, has been shown to reduce stress by allowing people to escape and unwind. According to a study by the University of Sussex, just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%.

• Lifelong Learning: Books expose us to new ideas, histories, and perspectives, constantly enriching our knowledge.

For me, it’s that stress relief that resonates most. When I read, I’m fully immersed in the author’s world, losing track of time and place. A well-written story transports me entirely—I feel the chill of a winter scene even in the summer, or the joy and sorrow of a character as if I were experiencing them myself. The best part? When I close the book, I’m refreshed, as though I had just taken a nap and any stress I had before simply faded away.

That’s why I love to read, and it’s that quality I strive to inspire in my own writing. If a reader tells me they couldn’t put my book down, connected with the characters, or related and felt moved by the story, then I know I’ve done my best writing—because there’s no greater compliment.

Well, I’m going to have to end it here as I’m in the middle of a novel that I picked up at the book fair and I simply can’t wait to dive back in to see what happens next! As an avid reader, I’m sure you know exactly how that feels. Here’s hoping you, too, are caught up in a wonderful compelling story and if so, happy reading!

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Pictures from the Festival