The Wonderful World of Books Posted on 1 March 2021 by Lucy French-Pounce for Kent-Teach in General That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet’ – Jhumpa LahiriOn World Book Day we want to celebrate the wonderful world of books, and all the places they can take you and your little ones. After all there is only so much Netflix you can watch – so why not try something different?Reading has numerous benefits - did you know that:Reading can reduce stress by up to 68% in some peopleIf you read for 20 minutes a day, you will read 1,800,000 words in a year!Reading expands your vocabularyThere really is no better time than now, whilst it is still cold and dark outside, to pick reading up as a new habit, or to continue if you love it already!Here are some of the books I have enjoyed during lockdown in 2020:Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensThis is a wonderful story of one young girl’s resilience – she is left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina, once her family abandons her. Read on as two timelines slowly intertwine and feel your heart warming as they do.I, Me, Mine by George HarrisonNo matter if you are a fan of The Beatles (I mean – really who isn’t?) or not – this is definitely a really enjoyable read. This memoir – partly written in interview style – details George’s young life, through his career with The Beatles, and into his successful solo career too. A real treat hides towards the end – when you find out the meaning for many of his songs. It is no wonder he is one of the most celebrated songwriters of his time.Becoming by Michelle ObamaThis memoir is a deeply personal look into the life of the former First Lady, Michelle Obama. Not only does it detail life in The White House, it (maybe more interestingly) lets readers take a trip into her life, growing up on the south side of Chicago, and her triumph over much adversity and situations being stacked against her. Such an inspiring read – such an inspiring lady!An American Marriage by Tayari JonesA heart-breaking look into what can become of a relationship, when unforeseen events begin to sabotage it. This novel probes issues of love, race, justice – all with a kind gaze. Really makes you think, what would you do?Wild: From Lost To Found on The Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl StrayedThis is a real coming of age, feel good (and true!) story – that will leave you exhausted as you hike the 2,650 miles from Southern California, through Oregon and Washington, before you finally reach the Canadian border. It really feels like you are going along with her. This was truly one life changing hike, for a young woman struggling to find her place in the world.Over the last few decades, reading has faced growing competition from TV, gaming, tablets, and smartphones for children’s leisure time. So how can you encourage children and teenagers to choose reading over screen time? Here are 6 ways to help your family spend more time reading and reaping the benefits that reading can bring.