Books build strong brains

There are almost half a million words in the English language, but a third of a person's writing is surprisingly made up of only 22 words, placing most readers at a reading level of a seventh- or eighth-grader.

Studies have shown that reading stimulates your brain and allows your mind to remain sharp even into old age. Learning something new, such as a foreign language, will challenge your brain and force it to create stronger links between memory cells.

Reading, also, causes your brain to work harder, which builds stronger brain cell connections.

As expected, instructors promote reading. "To encourage students, I share summaries and insights of what I am currently reading with the students, albeit academic or creative texts," said Brett Bodily, NLC English professor.

The Journal of American Medical Association states that 46 percent of American adults do not understand the label on their prescription medicine. The Institute of Medicine reported 1.5 million patients are injured each year by medication errors, with more than one-third occurring at home.  While many say reading is not as fun as watching television, there are some NLC students who really enjoy a good book.

"I read because I'm bored," said student Taylor Cisneros, 20. "It's fun to play your own movie in your head. Sometimes it's better than watching a movie."

However, the average American college graduate only reads about five books in his post-college lifetime. Magazines and the Internet are also great tools that require the ability to read. Although not very many students want to pick up a book, they are on the Web, surfing for a research paper or reading blogs about their favorite celebrities.

With the Internet, the ease of opening up a dictionary Web site and expanding one's vocabulary is faster than searching through the actual book. And now reading books have gotten easier with e-Book and e-Readers, which can be portable so you have your own library in one device. "I am open-minded relative to new technologies such as e-books and e-readers," said Bodily. "However, I find actual print to be more intimate."

Research has shown that devoted readers, because of their cognitive abilities, have superior vocabulary, spelling and word comprehension. They can think creatively and are better analyzers and problem solvers.

However, according to the National Institute for Literacy, in 2001 more than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level, which is far below the level needed to earn a living wage. 

Just by reading this article you are increasing your brain power. And while you may not enjoy lengthy books, there are plenty of options to build stronger brain cell connections.