ADULTS! Why Not Just READ?

Recently at a group of English, Language Arts teachers had lunch together. I asked the question, so what are you reading. There was silence and some mumbles about not having time from our busy jobs to read. I was surprised! the ELA community? Not even reading for pleasure?

Now, I'm pleading with the adults in my life, at work and at home: just connect with a good book. Reading offers so many benefits for us.

1. Take a Mental Time Out - stop and read or listen to a story. Get away from the endless lists and the demands of the phone, the email and the computer. 
2. Be Transported - to another time, another place and maybe another century! 
3. Be Amazed or Alarmed - how can a novel be so similar to my life, or how can this story be so mystical and intriguing, or how can this have happened?
4. Be Recreated - by the narrative, the characters and/or the message.
5. Get Addicted Again - open to ideas, worlds and messages that were hidden or misunderstood. Open up and devour a good book!