I did something a little wild and crazy this past weekend. I read a book. An actual, physical book where I could turn the pages without clicking a mouse. It felt good to take the time to really read the words, and not skim or peruse information bites. I spend so much time reading – and skimming – online that I forgot how wonderful it can be to just really lose yourself in a narrative. Not that I don’t love my online reading!

Nicholas Carr’s article in Atlantic Monthly on how the internet is affecting our brains really hit a chord with me. The speed at which we take in information has increased exponentially and when attempting to download that much information into our brains, there is a tendency to browse as opposed to read.

And yes, I know there are books available to read online but there is something to be said for walking away from the computer for a few hours and getting up close and personal with a book. Here are just a few thoughts on why reading books or magazines offline are good for you:

1. Reading a book or article that someone has published will make you a better writer. The language has been edited and re-edited and time has been taken to carefully choose the words. Reading this way improves your vocabulary and gets you thinking about new ways of putting together a  sentence. It will help you become a better blogger, writer or business communicator.

2. Blogs, while I love them, are not always checked for spelling, grammar and flow of language. If you are as passionate about the English language as I am it’s great once in a while to read a really beautiful piece of prose.

3. Concentrating on one piece of writing only, as opposed to hopping from one site or blog to the next, really allows you to think about what you are reading. You can mull it over, consider what it means to you and form opinions.

4. Reading a book or news magazine is like taking a mini vacation from life and work. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, you can take a break and devote your brain solely to your reading while blocking out the millions of messages that usually clutter it.

Read offline once in a while – it’s good for your brain.

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