By Melissa Chapman
Cataloging Supervisor, Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — For some, reading is an essential form of relaxation and entertainment. For others, reading can seem a bit of a chore. Whatever category you fall into, the Warsaw Community Public Library encourages you to embrace Read a Book Day on Sept. 6.

Saphira Vetor is a winner during Shark Week celebrated at the Warsaw Community Public Library.

Studies have shown that adults who spend time reading tend to take part in activities over their lifetime that are mentally stimulating when compared with those who don’t, as well as showing a slower cognitive decline.

The first celebration of Read a Book Day was around the end of the first decade of the 2000s and was more than likely the idea of a librarian, who was encouraging youngsters to read.

Of course, there are quite a few notable dates in history relating to books. For instance, the first book to be written on a typewriter was Mark Twain’s “The Adventure of Tom Sawyer.”

On Read a Book Day, it’s not necessary to read an entire book but the day serves as the inspiration to people to read a section of a book they enjoyed, e-books are equally suitable for celebrating Read a Book Day. The main goal is to encourage reading. In today’s demanding world, National Read a Book Day is a perfect time to take a break and decompress.

National Read a Book Day is a great opportunity to get young people interested in reading. Start a new bedtime routine which includes a chapter of their favorite book each night or swap half an hour of television for half an hour of guided reading.

Use #ReadABookDay to post on social media or look for how others are celebrating the day. If you know some reluctant readers, introduce them to new types of texts such as comic books, e-books and audiobooks.

When was the last time you paid a visit to your local library? If it’s been a while, it’s the perfect time to get reacquainted. Not only do libraries have a great selection of books, but they also have superb librarians who can help you pick new reads based on your likings, or point you in the direction of a whole new genre.

It’s easier to pick up the remote from the TV or open the game console, plunging into the virtual reality of video games. However, people who read more are more likely to build a successful career, improve their relationships, feel less stress and live longer.