essay on reading books is a waste of time

GP Essay #51: Do you agree that reading novels is a waste of time? 

Virginia Woolf once said: “Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.” People often look down on fictional stories because they are not anchored in reality and therefore argue that they are of no value in the “real world”. Although novels may be anchored in alternate realities, at their core, they have many valuable lessons to be learnt. These values apply to our character, how we interact and the way we work. Hence, as an avid book-lover myself, I personally strongly disagree that reading novels is a waste of time. 

One obvious reason why novels are not merely a way of passing time is because of the literary quality of many novels which serve as an inspiration to its readers. Although they are fictional, many novels are literary works of art. Just as aspiring artists get inspired by the technique of renowned artists like Leonardo DaVinci, students and even fellow writers can get different perspectives of storytelling methods by reading novels. It is no secret that the best fictional works of our time have been inspired by past works of fiction. A famous example would be how Charles Dickens, a British novelist who wrote such beloved classic novels such as “Oliver Twist” and “A Christmas Carol”, drew inspiration from poet William Shakespeare, who was widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. While this may have been a long time ago, writers being influenced by other writers and poets can also be observed in recent years. George R. R. Martin, author of critically-acclaimed “A Song of Fire And Ice” book series drew inspiration from authors like J. R. R. Tolkien who wrote the even more renowned “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Novels are intricately woven tapestries of language; therefore people can learn from them and be motivated to create their own literary works. As such, one can view the reading of novels as a crucial part of the creative process as they are a major source of inspiration. Therefore, they are also a contributing factor to the diversity of literature today. 

Readers who enjoy novels will inevitably enrich their vocabulary as well as gain knowledge and understanding of certain world issues. Some novels are written based on historical events, which can help the reader obtain knowledge on certain past events. Such readings would supply the reader valuable information and aid their understanding for other studies such as history, politics, economics, sociology and psychology. A notable example would be the novel “Animal Farm”, which reflects the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. This would allow readers to draw parallels between the characters in the novel and historical figures, aiding them in their understanding of historical events that shape the world today. Apart from learning about factual events that were depicted in novels, works of fiction also reflect modern day struggles such as racism, which still plagues our world today. Books such as “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas take up issues of racial injustice and identity, both of which resonate with many students in particular – and are particularly timely in the wake of countless police shootings of unarmed black men and women today. The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a perennial reading assignment for many American students, deemed as a fixture in American consciousness for many decades due to its examination of racial injustice. This shows how novels are able to both educate students on the struggles faced by certain segments of society, as well as to model for students how they can stand up and speak out against injustice. This would undoubtedly improve one’s social skills in terms of how they empathise and how they relate to other individuals. Hence, this shows how works of fiction still hold an important place in society, in addressing pertinent issues in the world and empowering individuals to eradicate these problems. 

In addition, a commonly cited reason that parents encourage children to read from a young age is that reading novels improves creativity. By reading more books, children would be able to expose themselves to new and more information. This would develop creativity in children, allowing them to come up with more innovative ideas. Through the interesting characters as well as creative story plots that are woven together intrinsically by authors, this develops a child’s ability to think imaginatively. As compared to spending time playing video games and surfing the Internet, reading books is an activity that forces the reader to ditch distractions and focus. It is this said focus that acts as a catalyst for an increase in creativity. This is because books are a window to the world – allowing a glimpse into cultures past, present and future, as interpreted by their authors and filtered through our own imaginations. Children who read novels from a young age would be able to discover an amazing amount of information, especially at a young age when they are more impressionable. The more children know, the more they will be able to share, ultimately shaping them to become better conversationalists, quicker thinkers and better problem solvers in the future. 

However, just as with all things, novels do have a negative side to them that hold no value in bettering one’s life. In order for us to reap the benefits of reading novels, we as readers need to be selective in what we choose to read. There are close to 130 million books in the world, and it would be naive to assume that all novels hold an equal value to an individual. While there are novels that stimulate one’s intellect and improve creativity, there also exist novels that encourage morally unsound values. An example would be the genre of erotic novels. Novels such as “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer, or E. L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” certainly would not hold any value in bettering one’s life. This is because these books do not focus on inculcating the right values in its readers, but instead promote the culture of pre-marital sex, which may not coincide with the values that readers have been taught. Hence, one would probably not gain any of the abovementioned benefits if one chooses to read books that are of no significant value. 

Thus, one can see that rather than generalize whether novels are a waste of time, it is far better to scrutinize each novel individually. Some novels tend to have more educational value; others, moral value, and it is up to readers to be discerning and seek out books of quality, not just chick-lit romance novels that teach us little and can be justified as “a waste of time” as the question suggests.. This way, we will be able to reap the most benefits from reading novels.

Why Reading Books is a Waste of Time

If we were not in such a technologically advanced age, I would not be able to say reading books is a waste of time. However, reading books today is a waste of time today because audiobooks can be absorbed up to three times faster than a casual reading speed.

How Books Waste Time

Depending on how you interact with books, it can be a waste of time. Here are a few wasteful book interactions.

Fictional Books Waste Time

If you are someone who values time and would like to gain something useful from a book then, you may want to stay away from fictional books. Fictional books are books that are not real and thus may not relate to real life. Unless you are looking for imaginary concepts or out of the box ideas, you will not likely get any real value from imaginative stories.

Books with Poor Reviews Can Waste Time

Now that we are avoiding fictional books, we can read any non-fictional book and have it be more relatable right? Although this can be more likely true, if you go through a book with poor reviews, you will likely have the same experience as others who did not value the book.

Look for books that have four or more stars on a five-star rating scale. This will limit the amount of books with wasteful information. After all, you got into a book for a desirable result. Those who have read the book before you did not get there expected result if the reviews are below three stars.

Reading Slow is a Time Killer

Reading speed can be a challenge for a few different reasons. One, you need to read a book at a pace where you can absorb the message. If you read to fast or scan, you may have to retrace your words several times to understand the message in the sentence.

On the other hand, if you read the book too slow, you are witnessing the true mean argument of books being a waste of time. Reading too slow can just drain your time. Find that happy balance if you want to attempt reading and not wasting time.

Hunting the Library can cost Time

When is the last time you have been to a library or book store? Did you find the book you were looking for quickly? Unless you are just browsing, you will likely need the help of an employee to find the book you want locally. With the vast number of books in a store, it can be difficult to find the book you want and cost you time.

I would say searching in a library would be especially true in the case because the book you are looking for could be checked out. At least if you go to a typical book store like Barnes and Nobel’s, they will typically have copies of books for sale.

Out-Dated Information

Books can be a waste of time if you are looking for specific information but the info is outdated. For example, if you read a book that says you should write letters to find leads for your business. The book may say this is the best way to market but, little would you know that marketing online is a formidable opponent to mailing letters. 

Retrieval and Delivery of Books

Let us say you have the best-case scenario and you know exactly what book you want and the clerk has it in their hand for you. Did you drive to pick it up? Driving would be the fastest but it could have been a bus ride or bicycle ride for others. That time was wasted just to pick the book up as opposed to just reading it online.

Even if you did not have to physically pick up the book in person, shipping the book will still take at least a day or two. With digital books now being readily available, you are wasting time if you need the book to be physically in your hands.

How to Save Time with Books

In this post, we have been going over how books are a waste of time. However, books can be great time savers if we do not physically read them. Let’s look at some examples of how books can be worth your time.

Using Audio or E-Books

As your answer stated, listening to audiobooks is the way to go. This is really great because you do not have to read the book with your eyes. Today, you can listen to the entire book without having to turn a single page. If you are not taking advantage of audiobooks, you are wasting time.

One of my favorite places to get audiobooks is Amazon’s audible app. They have tons of books on there and they are all in audio format. Just find a book, pay with points or cash, and dive into the audio.

Another reason why audiobooks are great is because of the flexibility. When you read a normal hard copy book, you have to sit or lay and read. When you are using audiobooks, you can be exercising, driving or on your way to sleep and still be absorbing the content. It does not get much better than that.

Search Online for Books

As a direct opposition to going to the library or a local book store, with audiobooks, you can shop online. This allows for audiobooks to be at your fingertips at all times. No more having to travel to get to your books. Just open an app like audible and grab the book through your mobile device. In the time that it takes you to get dressed to go pick up a book, you can already have one started from a book you found online.

Use Books for Answers

One of my favorite ways to use books is to use them for answers. For example let’s say you wanted to learn how to start a blog, instead of just guessing, you could just get the answer from a book. Long gone are the days where you had an idea and had to figure it out on your own. Most things have already been done before, all you need to do is learn from someone else.

I highly suggest using books in this way, especially as an entrepreneur. This works great as an entrepreneur because most business people just want to get a return on investment. So what do they do? Pay someone to write or narrate their book. Moreover, most business people share how to get to their level. A great example of this is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki .

Get Recommended Books

Another great way to save time with books is to get recommendations. Just like I recommended Rich Dad Poor Dad, I had a positive experience with the book so, there is a likely hood you will too. At the time of this post, Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad has a 4.5-star rating out of 5.

With that being said, even if I did not recommend the book to you, others will. If you were searching online, you can clearly see the ratings and gamble less on a good book by knowing others have liked it. This is as opposed to going to a local store, finding a hard copy book, then having little to no one to tell you if the book is worth it.

For the reasons listed above, you now know why reading books is a waste of time. However, you now know how to make them worth your time. At the very least, if you really just love hard copy books, try to get one that will give you answers and has been proven to help others. Now you will take less risk of wasting your time.

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Home » Readers Blog » Is Reading Fiction A Waste Of Time? Here’s What Research Suggests

Is Reading Fiction A Waste Of Time? Here’s What Research Suggests

• By Subodh Sharma

Over the last few years, I have read over hundreds of books, the majority of which are fiction. And I have experienced the amazing improvements and changes that these books have brought into my life. So, for me, it is really sad to see people even discussing on topics like ‘ is reading fiction a waste of time? ’ or ‘ should we give up reading fiction books? ’ and so on.

And I’m sure that I’m not the only one who thinks and feels this way. A survey from the National Endowment for the Arts  in 2009 found that 87% of the book readers choose to read fiction! So, are those 87% of the readers wasting their time?

Well… I don’t think so!

Reading fiction is not a waste of time. It’s true that we learn things differently from fiction than that from non-fiction books. But, nevertheless, there are many great life-lessons that one can learn from reading fiction alone. It’s just that not everyone comprehends the amazing benefits that reading fiction can bestow upon us!

However, it is also true that not every fiction book is good to read. Don’t read any book just for the sake of reading and having fun or just to increase the number of books you have read. There are many fiction books that are downright trash. They will do more harm than benefit to you.

But again, same is true for some non-fiction books as well. So, first, learn to choose good books to read . Read reviews of the books in Goodreads, Amazon, and other trusted websites and blogs before you actually read them.

Keep reading to know more about:

• Some Researches on Reading Fiction

Benefits of Reading Fiction

Here’s what some research suggests.

Many types of research have been conducted to study the impacts of reading fiction on the brain. Here are some of the important ones:

• Research at The New School in New York City has found evidence that reading literary fiction improves empathy . It improves a reader’s capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling.
• An article, ‘ Your Brain on Fiction ’, published in The New York Times in March 2012 states many studies to show how reading fiction impacts our brain. Brain scans done during this research are revealing what happens in our heads when we read a detailed description, a metaphor, or an emotional exchange between characters; all of which are an integral part of fiction books. The research suggests that stories stimulate the brain and even change how we act in life . You can read more about this research from here .
• According to a Research by the University of Sussex reading for even six minutes can reduce your stress levels by as high as 68 percent ! Psychologists believe that this is probably because when we are lost in a book, our mind is focused on reading and that little distraction from the real world and our problems into a literary world eases the tensions in muscles and heart.
• Another research by Yale University School of Public Health states that “reading books for an average of 30 min per day–say, a chapter a day–showed a survival advantage, compared to those who did not read books” In other words, it increases our lifespan . The researchers also said, “Considering that 87% of book readers read fiction ( National Endowment for the Arts , 2009), it is likely that most of the book readers in our study were reading fiction.” The researchers observed that there was a 20% reduction in mortality for those who read books , compared to those who did not. Further, their analysis also demonstrated that any level of book reading gave a significantly stronger survival advantage than reading periodicals (Newspapers, magazines, etc.)

The researches mentioned above are just a few of the many types of research that have proved the amazing benefits of reading fiction books.

People often misjudge fiction books because their benefits are not always obvious, whereas most of the non-fiction books have some direct implications and importance that looks vividly clear. It is difficult to properly quantify the benefits of fiction, which is another reason why not everyone sees value in it.

But, just because we don’t see the benefits directly, it does not mean that fiction books don’t hold any importance. Fiction is just as important a genre as nonfiction books.

Here are 10 important benefits to support the fact that reading fiction is not a waste of time:

1. Fiction is a uniquely powerful way to understand others

Reading fiction creates new perspectives and helps people to empathize with others. Individuals who often read fiction are better able to understand other people and view the world from their perspective. Besides, people who read fiction have an increased amount of emotional intelligence.

2. It broadens your imagination and enhances your creativity

Fiction can make you imagine things beyond possibility – things that would not come to your mind normally. If you are reading a book that has its plot in a magical world where animals can speak, humans can fly, or trees can walk, you don’t just read it, you imagine it!

And that can really be very helpful in broadening your imagination. Besides, the different creative plots, characters, and approaches boost your creative thinking as well.

3. It improves your memory

There are a lot of things that we need to remember while reading fiction. Name of the characters and their features, name of the places, plots and sub-plots, the sequence of events, important conversations etc. are some of the key information we need to keep in mind.

And the ability to retain these information keeps improving with the number of books that you read. As your brain learns to remember the information from the story-line, it also becomes better at remembering other things of your life

4. A child will get into reading habit more easily with fiction

If you ask a child to read a history book, how much do you think will it interest him/her?

Children often opt for fiction books when they learn to read. Fiction with an interesting story can easily capture children’s attention. This indirectly helps them to build and expand their vocabulary and improve reading speed while enjoying an interesting story.

Many of those stories even convey moral lessons which are very important to shape a child’s thinking.

5. Fiction helps you comprehend other, more difficult texts

People who read fiction have a richer vocabulary and are able to read fluently. The conversations in the books also help you strengthen your command over the language.

Your sentence formation becomes quick, better and qualitative. You rarely get stuck for lack of words. Once you have a richer vocabulary and controlled command over the language, comprehending other difficult texts and information becomes easier.

6. Reading fiction enhances our critical thinking ability

While reading, a lot of information is being processed in our brain simultaneously. It opens up many different perspectives for your brain to comprehend.

For example: If you are reading a mystery or a suspense book, your brain constantly tries to guess certain outcomes and events. It also has to relate one event to the other to make sense in the story. All this, in turn, sharpens our mind and enhances our critical and analytical thinking skills.

7. Reading fiction improves brain function

Reading fiction can significantly improve our brain functions!  Research from Emory University in Atlanta Georgia suggests that reading a powerful work of fiction can make neural changes in your brain thereby improving your brain functions!

The changes occur in the ‘resting-state’ of the brain and can last for days. Reading fiction can also strengthen language processing and helps move information into long-term memory.

8. Reading fiction helps us accept change more readily

The science-fiction books, especially those that portray future technologies and advancements, help people understand that things change and that you can live through it.

Change is all around us. Probably things change faster now than they did centuries years ago. In such scenarios, it is always better to be prepared for the change and in some way science-fiction help us do that well!

9. Reading fiction can improve your social-cognitive abilities

A recent Research in the Department of Psychology at Princeton University has suggested that reading fiction can improve individuals’ social-cognitive abilities .

Findings from neuroscience show that reading and social cognition both recruit the default network, a network which is known to support our capacity to simulate hypothetical scenes, spaces, and mental states.

The current research tests the hypothesis that fiction reading enhances social cognition because it serves to exercise the default sub-network involved in theory of mind. ( Social cognition is a sub-topic of social psychology that focuses on how people process, store, and apply information about other people and social situations)

10. It gives us joy and happiness

Finally, and most importantly, reading is a joy. It simply makes you feel happy and pleased and brings peace to your mind – something that even the most luxurious items might not provide you.

So, if you really love reading fiction books, you shouldn’t care what other people think of it. Just make sure that you avoid reading trashy fictional books. Other than that, read more and be happy!

These were just some of the amazing benefits of reading fiction. There can be many more obviously. And even after all this, if I’m told that I am wasting my time reading fiction, then yeah, I’m really happy to waste my time. At least I’m happy! And to me, that matters the most!

In the comment section below please share with us what you think. Is reading fiction a waste of time? Tells us about your experiences – good or bad, about reading fiction books. We would love to know!

Happy Reading!

7 thoughts on “Is Reading Fiction A Waste Of Time? Here’s What Research Suggests”

Reading fictions are similar to watching fiction movies. Fiction lets you enter a different life or different world whereby in your monotonous daily working life, you might never get to experience it. Fiction lets you understand about different jobs, lives, hobbies, likes, places, love, etc of others. Once your knowledge broadens, you will tend to have different perspectives about what life is about and what you want in your life. Life experiences makes one more mature, and to speed up the process, reading is another tool that does that.

Thanks for this information 🤠🤠

Honestly, i love this article. Imagine reading The Hunger games, or the Harry potter’s series or so many out there-which are fabulously interesting and planet and time dimensional transporting. Honestly fiction is the genre!

Thank you so much, I read non fiction as much as I drink water and I find that I am not creative enough. This article was truly helpful, I will look for good fiction books to read going forward.

I’m glad that you found it helpful, Marc! Keep Reading!!

Thanks for the facts! I had to write some facts down for my essay titled ” Is Reading Fiction a Waste of Time?”

“The science-fiction books, especially those that portray future technologies and advancements, help people understand that things change and that you can live through it.” Well, not really: because what they describe is pure fantasy, the lesson is inherently unmoored from reality and therefore useless. Any guidance will be speculative at best.

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Reading Fiction Is A Waste Of Time Essay

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Why Reading Novels Is A Waste Of Time [Critic Opinion]

1. introduction.

2. Reasons why Reading Novels is a Waste of Time

Reading novels can be a great way to relax, but it can also be a huge waste of time if it’s not done in moderation. Novels can be an escape from reality, but they can also be a distraction from more important tasks. Here are some reasons why reading novels can be a waste of time.

Novels can be a great way to pass the time, but they can also be a big time-waster. Reading a novel can easily take up several hours of your day, and that time could be better spent doing something more productive. If you’re trying to get ahead in life, reading novels can be a huge distraction.

Novels can be a great source of entertainment, but they’re not very practical. Reading a novel won’t help you learn a new skill or help you get ahead in your career. If you’re looking for practical ways to spend your time, reading novels is probably not the best option.

Novels can be a great escape from reality, but they can also lead to unrealistic expectations. Novels often portray a world that is far from reality, and this can lead to disappointment when we don’t get the same results in our own lives. Reading novels can be a great escape, but it’s important to remember that it’s just a story and not real life.

Reading novels can be a great way to relax and escape from reality, but it can also be a huge waste of time if it’s not done in moderation. Novels can be a distraction from more important tasks, they’re not very practical, and they can lead to unrealistic expectations. It’s important to remember that reading novels should be done in moderation and that there are more productive ways to spend your time.

a. Poor Use of Time

Reading novels is often seen as a waste of time, as it does not provide any tangible benefits. It can seem like an unproductive activity, as it does not help one to achieve any practical goals. In addition, it can take up a large amount of time that could be spent on more productive activities.

Time is a precious resource, and it is important to use it wisely. Reading novels can take up a large amount of time, as they often require a significant amount of reading. This time could be better spent on activities that are more beneficial and productive. For example, one could use that time to further their education, exercise, or socialize with friends.

In addition, reading novels can be a distraction from more important tasks. It can be easy to get caught up in the story and lose track of time. This can lead to procrastination, which can be detrimental to one’s productivity.

Furthermore, reading novels can lead to a lack of focus. It can be difficult to concentrate on the book when there are other tasks that need to be done. This can lead to a decrease in productivity, as one is not able to focus on the task at hand.

Finally, reading novels can lead to a lack of motivation. It can be difficult to motivate oneself to do productive activities, as reading novels can be a form of escapism. This can lead to a decrease in motivation, as one is not actively working towards any tangible goals.

In conclusion, reading novels can be a waste of time, as it does not provide any tangible benefits. It can take up a large amount of time that could be spent on more productive activities. In addition, it can lead to procrastination, a lack of focus, and a lack of motivation. Therefore, it is important to use one’s time wisely and to focus on activities that are more beneficial and productive.

b. Novels are Not Practical

Novels are not practical.

Reading novels can be a great way to escape reality and explore new worlds, but when it comes to practicality, novels don’t always measure up. Many people consider reading novels to be a waste of time because they do not provide tangible benefits or teach practical skills.

First, novels are often not a great use of time because the majority of them have no practical value. While some novels may teach lessons or impart knowledge, many of them are simply stories with no real-world application. Therefore, reading a novel is not a productive way to spend time and energy if the goal is to learn something new.

Second, reading novels does not usually provide any tangible benefits. Unlike other activities, such as studying or learning a new skill, reading novels does not provide any tangible rewards. It may be enjoyable, but it does not lead to any tangible benefits, such as a better job or higher salary.

Third, novels can lead to unrealistic expectations. Many people enjoy reading novels because they can escape into a different world and experience something different. However, this can lead to unrealistic expectations about the world and life in general. People may expect the same level of excitement or adventure in their own lives, which can lead to disappointment or even despair when reality does not match up.

Finally, novels can be a distraction from more productive activities. If a person spends too much time reading novels, they may miss out on opportunities to learn new skills or pursue other interests. This can lead to a lack of focus and productivity, which can have a negative impact on their future.

In conclusion, reading novels can be a great way to escape reality and explore new worlds, but when it comes to practicality, novels don’t always measure up. They often do not provide tangible benefits or teach practical skills, and they can lead to unrealistic expectations. Therefore, reading novels is not always a productive use of time and energy.

c. Novels Can Lead to Unrealistic Expectations

C. novels can lead to unrealistic expectations.

Reading novels can lead to unrealistic expectations, as readers tend to identify with the characters and plotlines in the stories. This can be especially true for young readers who are still developing their sense of self and the world around them. When readers identify with characters, they may start to view their own lives through the lens of the novel, which can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction with their own experiences.

For example, a reader may become enamored with the idea of a romantic relationship portrayed in a novel and start to expect that they will experience the same kind of love in their own life. This can lead to disappointment when they don’t find the same kind of connection with someone they meet in real life. Similarly, a reader may become enthralled with the idea of living a life of adventure and excitement, which may lead them to feel that their own life is mundane and unfulfilling.

In addition to creating unrealistic expectations, novels can also lead to escapism, as readers may become so invested in the story that they forget about the real world. This can lead to a lack of motivation to pursue goals and dreams, as readers may become content to stay in their fantasy world and not take any action in the real world.

Finally, novels can lead to an unhealthy comparison between the reader’s life and the lives of the characters in the novel. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, as readers may compare their own lives to the seemingly perfect lives of the characters in the novel.

Overall, reading novels can have both positive and negative effects. While reading can be a great way to relax and escape from reality, it can also lead to unrealistic expectations and unhealthy comparison. Therefore, it is important to be mindful when reading novels and to be aware of the potential risks.

3. Alternative Ways to Spend Time

Reading novels can be a great way to pass the time, but it is not always the most productive or practical way to spend it. There are many other activities that can be more beneficial for our physical and mental health. Here are some alternative ways to spend time that can be more productive and beneficial than reading novels.

Education is one of the most important aspects of life. It can open up many doors and help us to become more successful in life. Investing in education can be a great way to spend time and develop skills that will help us in the future. It can be done in a variety of ways, such as taking classes, attending seminars, or even reading books related to the topic.

Exercise is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. It can help to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels. Taking the time to exercise can be a great way to spend time and improve overall wellbeing. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as going for a walk, running, or joining a gym.

Socializing is an important part of life and can be a great way to spend time. Spending time with family and friends can help to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase overall happiness. It can also help to build relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. Socializing can be done in a variety of ways, such as going to the movies, having dinner, or simply talking.

These are just a few of the alternative ways to spend time that can be more beneficial than reading novels. Taking the time to invest in education, exercise, and socializing can help to improve overall wellbeing and create a more productive lifestyle.

a. Education

Education is an invaluable asset that can open up a world of opportunities. It is an essential part of life that allows us to gain knowledge, develop skills, and become more productive members of society. Reading novels can be a great way to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.

Reading novels can help us learn about different cultures, beliefs, and values. It can also provide us with insight into the lives of people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Reading novels can also help us develop critical thinking skills and gain a better understanding of complex topics. It can also help us become more creative and imaginative, as well as develop our writing skills.

Education can also provide us with the opportunity to explore our interests and passions. Whether it’s a particular subject, sport, or hobby, education can help us pursue our interests and gain valuable knowledge and skills. Education can also help us develop our career prospects, as well as gain a competitive edge in the job market.

Education can also help us become more well-rounded individuals. It can help us become more aware of our surroundings, as well as develop our communication and social skills. Education can also help us become more self-confident and open-minded.

Finally, education can help us become better citizens. It can help us become more informed about current events, as well as develop our understanding of politics and history. Education can also help us become more engaged in our communities and develop a sense of civic responsibility.

In conclusion, education is an invaluable asset that can open up a world of opportunities. Reading novels can be a great way to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Education can also provide us with the opportunity to explore our interests and passions, develop our career prospects, and become more well-rounded individuals. Education can also help us become better citizens and become more engaged in our communities.

b. Exercise

Exercising is an excellent way to spend your time. Not only does it help to improve your physical health, but it can also help to improve your mental health and overall wellbeing. Exercise can help to reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy levels. It can also help to improve your sleep quality, which is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Exercising doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be as simple as going for a walk or a jog, or as intense as a full-body workout. There are many different types of exercise that you can choose from, depending on your goals and preferences. For example, you could try strength training, cardio, yoga, or even a combination of all of these. No matter what type of exercise you choose, it’s important to make sure that you are doing it safely and correctly.

Exercising can also be a great way to socialize. You can join a gym or a class, or you can even invite your friends to join you for a workout. Having an exercise buddy can help to keep you motivated and accountable. You can also join a sports team, which can be a great way to make new friends and stay active.

Exercising can also help you to reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or just become more fit overall, exercise can help you to achieve your goals. It can also help to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of certain diseases.

Finally, exercising can be a great way to spend your time because it can help to reduce boredom and give you something to look forward to. Having a regular exercise routine can help to break up your day and provide structure to your life.

In conclusion, exercising is an excellent way to spend your time. Not only can it help to improve your physical and mental health, but it can also help to reduce stress, improve your mood, and give you something to look forward to. Exercising can also help you to reach your fitness goals and reduce your risk of certain diseases. So, if you’re looking for a way to spend your time, consider exercising!

c. Socializing

C. socializing.

Socializing is an important part of life and is essential for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Spending time with friends, family, and new acquaintances can help to reduce stress, build relationships, and increase overall happiness. For those who are not naturally outgoing, it can be difficult to find ways to socialize and meet new people. However, there are many activities that can be done to help foster relationships and build a strong social circle.

For example, joining a club or organization is a great way to meet new people who share similar interests. This could be anything from a sports team to a book club. Additionally, volunteering is another great way to socialize and give back to the community. It can also be a great way to learn new skills and gain valuable experience.

Another way to socialize is to attend events such as concerts, festivals, and other gatherings. This can be a great way to meet new people and explore different cultures. Additionally, attending lectures or classes can be a great way to learn something new and meet people with similar interests.

Finally, online socializing is becoming increasingly popular. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be great ways to connect with people from all over the world. Additionally, there are many online forums and chat rooms that can be used to meet new people and discuss topics of interest.

Socializing is an important part of life and can be beneficial in many ways. It can help to reduce stress, build relationships, and increase overall happiness. For those who are not naturally outgoing, there are many activities that can be done to help foster relationships and build a strong social circle. From joining clubs and organizations to attending events and socializing online, there are many ways to meet new people and explore different cultures.

4. Benefits of Reading Novels

Reading novels can be a great way to escape reality and explore different worlds, characters, and stories. It can be a form of entertainment, education, and even relaxation. Here are some of the benefits of reading novels:

1. Improved Cognitive Function

Reading novels can help improve cognitive function by engaging the reader’s mind. It can help improve focus and concentration, as well as increase creativity and problem-solving skills. Novels can also help improve memory and comprehension, as well as increase vocabulary and reading speed.

2. Improved Emotional Health

Reading novels can be a great way to reduce stress and improve emotional health. It can provide a sense of escapism and can help the reader to relax and unwind. It can also be a great way to explore different perspectives and gain a better understanding of the world.

3. Improved Writing Skills

Reading novels is a great way to improve writing skills. It can help the reader gain a better understanding of structure, grammar, and storytelling. It can also help the reader become more creative and imaginative.

4. Improved Social Skills

Reading novels can help improve social skills by allowing the reader to explore different characters and their interactions. It can help the reader understand different emotions and how to interact with others. It can also be a great way to gain a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives.

Overall, reading novels can be a great way to escape reality, improve cognitive and emotional health, and gain a better understanding of the world. It can be a great form of entertainment, education, and relaxation. So, if you’re looking for a way to escape reality and explore different worlds, reading novels may be the perfect activity for you.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, reading novels is not necessarily a waste of time. While it may not be the most practical use of time, novels can offer many benefits to readers. They can provide an escape from reality, an opportunity to learn about different cultures and perspectives, and a way to expand one’s imagination. Additionally, novels can help to improve one’s writing skills, increase vocabulary, and even help to reduce stress.

Ultimately, the decision to read novels or not is up to the individual. If someone is looking for a way to pass the time, reading novels can be a great option. However, if someone is looking for a more practical use of time, then there are many other activities that can provide more tangible benefits. Education, exercise, and socializing are all great alternatives to reading novels.

No matter what activity one chooses, it is important to find something that is enjoyable and can provide a sense of satisfaction. That way, one can make the most out of their time and get the most out of life.

6. References

Broudehoux, A. (2018). The Benefits of Reading Novels. [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/18/the-benefits-of-reading-novels [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

Cottrell, S. (2020). Why Reading Novels Is A Waste Of Time. [online] Lifehack. Available at: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/why-reading-novels-waste-time.html [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

Lai, A. (2020). 8 Benefits of Reading Books. [online] Reading Rockets. Available at: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/8-benefits-reading-books [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

O’Neill, M. (2019). The Benefits of Reading for Pleasure. [online] Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/benefits-of-reading-for-pleasure-4118506 [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

Rief, S. (2020). Reading for Pleasure: The Benefits. [online] Scholastic. Available at: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/reading-pleasure-benefits/ [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

The Reading Agency. (2020). The Benefits Of Reading. [online] The Reading Agency. Available at: https://www.readingagency.org.uk/adults/why-read/benefits-of-reading.html [Accessed 8 Jul. 2020].

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Many believe that reading books is a waste of time and children would be better served doing something more useful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Sentence 1 - Background statement
• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
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• Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
• Sentence 2 - Example
• Sentence 3 - Discussion
• Sentence 4 - Conclusion
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
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• Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

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Some people say that punishment is the best way to teach children to behave well, while others disagree and point out that rewarding and praising them is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Beingselfish is considered a reason for job success give your opinion. reasons with examples, illiteracy continues to be a concern for many countries in the world today. what are the causes of illiteracy in the modern world, and what effects does it have on the people concerned and on society as a whole, it is sometimes said that people should be encouraged to get married before they are 30, as this is best for both the individual and for society. do you agree or disagree, some say that university students should pay the full cost of their studies because higher education only benefits the students and not the society. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement.

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IELTS Essay Ideas: Is History a Waste of Time

Below are ideas for the topic of history in IELTS writing task 2. This essay is about how important history is to learn. This can relate to the subject of history as a whole or children spending time learning history. You should use the ideas given below and adapt them to the specific essay question given by IELTS.

Sample IELTS Essay Question

Some people think that studying history is a waste of time while others think that it is essential to learn. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS Essay Ideas

Below are ideas for both side of the argument. A useful definition of history is “it is the study of past events, particularly human affairs.”. It might be the study of a country or of a person in the past. It might involve a particular event or a general situation at a given time in the past.

History is a Waste of Time

• Most people memorise dates, names and facts when they study history. This information is not useful in everyday life or for the future.
• If we could actually learn from history, history wouldn’t be full of the same repeated mistakes. However, the same mistakes are made again and again which makes history irrelevant to learn for the future.
• History is a subject that is rarely used in people’s lives so it would be better to focus on science or technology which is more relevant to the future and today’s society.
• Each historical event has different perspectives. For this reason, it makes learning history a waste of time because events can also be interpreted in a different way which makes what we learn in history less valuable.
• Many school curriculum have been set and are rarely changed. That curriculum includes little current history which is the only type of history that helps people understand the world they currently live in.

History is Important

• History helps young people understand their own culture and how their culture and country have evolved.
• History gives identity and helps unify people. It gives people a sense of roots and belonging.
• History teaches people what their forefathers experienced and suffered in the past in order to make their country what it is today.
• History teaches us about travesties which have occurred in the past, such as the Holocaust. It is essential for both people in the past, present and future to never  forget such events in order to honour the memory of those lost and to ensure it never happens again.
• History helps us understand change. It records and helps people understand successes and failures. Through these studies people can learn about change and how others are affected by it.
• It shows patterns of behaviour or events in the past and their outcome which can help us avoid similar outcomes in the future.
• Learn about the past often gives a glimpse of the future. It shows a path of development that will continue past the present and into the future.
• Valuable information can often be found in history, such as traditional medicines. Learning about past lifestyles and techniques used by people in the past can hold the secrets to remedies or cures no longer used.

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Thank you for providing this fantastic piece of knowledge. This one is very useful.

You’re welcome 🙂

some people believes that history is such a waste of time and boring but others argue that it is an important subject . In my opine,from the study of history there are a lot of beneficial factors that helps in better understanding of the past events.

There is a common opinion among people that learning history is important while some do not consider it as useful. Learning history is always useful in knowing about your culture and how the people have evolved with time. However history in the world of technology and innovations doesn’t have much impact nowadays. History is considered as the important part of any nation or country because it reflects the culture and traditions of a particular society. There are important events in the past that how people have evolved and changed their way of living. Also it mentions the important dates and people who had done something innovative/big in the past. History helps to modify our culture and things which needs to be amended. It also taches the history of noble families. It guides about the pattern of diseases that run-in families so we can take precautionary measures regarding them. It facilitates to create medicines/treatment for non-cured diseases of past. However, history is not useful nowadays because future of the world doesn’t depend on it. Today world is about new technologies and modern techniques which make it easier for people to learn. Remembering dates and events is not an easy task because every historical event has different perspective. Having past methods in present world doesn’t create much difference because people and their culture has evolved with the passage of time. In my opinion, studying history is important because that make us to understands about our culture and learn about change with time. It also reflects the important historical event that took place in the past. Upcoming generations will learn about their past and the change that has taken place to amend their present and future.

thanks so much for those introduction about writing task 2 especially.after, looking at your notes I could write en essay by my self , thanks so much .

Some people believe that history is such a boring subject and time consuming at school but other argue that it is an important part of subject to learning about many history events in past. In my opinion, Undoubtedly, from studying history can take a lot of beneficial views or criticises, and then helping children better understand about their life before making any mistakes. There should be a balance of time between studying history and other practical subject at school curriculum.

Firstly, one of the popular reasons why history is a great deal at school program is that studying history can help students to make a sure about mistakes at their present-days problems. It means that students become more aware of any mistakes in the future. Take medical operation as example, many medical students either at school or university would like studying and learning about studying history medicine that relate to mistakes or any misunderstanding.at the result that make then to be more open-eyes.

On the other hand, if teachers are more care about studying history, It would be more time consuming so it is better, there is a suitable time-balances between learning history forms and other subjects. For example, some students do not enjoy studying history events. because at the moment teenager are more interested in modern time rather than the studying in the past.

In conclusion, although it is common believe that studying history has a critical point to make new generation to be more awareness in the life ,it does make a sense of subject at school with spending a lot of time on it .

Hello lizy please can you help me out with this question”Discuss the crisis of historical relevance in our present day society is partly a product of social ignorance and largely the consequences of conservative and reactionary approach to the study of history by historians…”please help me out

That isn’t an IELTS essay question. Where did you find it? I suggest you are very careful about essay questions you find online. Stick to preparing essays using realistic or authentic questions.

Hi Liz, I am taking the paper-based IELTS exam next week, so I wonder if it is important that I write clean. My handwriting is not bad, but sometimes I need to make alterations that would require erasing words and sentences, then fitting the new phrase (which is usually longer than the previous one) in the same space. All these make my writing paper a bit messy. Would that be a problem? Thanks.

It’s only a problem if the examiner struggles to read it. Are you making alterations because you have new ideas and want to express them or because of language problems? Always plan your essay thoroughly before you start. Each sentence will be planned for ideas and content. When you start writing, all you need to do is focus on your grammar and vocab for each sentence. Errors ought to be minimal. Also consider doing the computer based test if possible because then you can delete and move chunks of writing around on the page.

Hi Liz, Again, I’d thank you for the valuable lessons and I’m going through them one by one so I can get corrected my mistakes.

What I want to know is, there are 5 points under why history is considered as a time waste and 8 points under why history is important. Can you please mention how much points are normally enough to write under each of the cases when I get this type of an opinion essay. Thanks!

The above isn’t an essay. It’s just a list of ideas. Normally you would have two or three body paragraphs in any essay.

I would deeply appreciate your Great effort towards valuable lessons 💪 I had got exactly the same above question in a computer based IELTS today. Thank you again 😍

That was lucky. Good luck with your results 🙂

Hi I am a 13 year old and thanks for the help Liz

Glad to meet you, Tujan. Take your time using all the pages and lessons on my site. Good luck 🙂

Hi Liz, for this particular topic, is it acceptable to state that I regard both are equally important subjects? Or, must I give a one-sided opinion? Thanks.

I took the computer-based exam yesterday and this was exactly my task 2.

That’s lucky! I hope you did well 🙂

Hi Liz I am your avid student and I am stuck at 6.5 in writing despite scoring band 9 in other modules. Can you please review my essay and give feedback? I have tried to pay heed to your advice.

The question of whether to prioritize history over science subjects in teaching curriculum is an old one. There are valid arguments on both sides but in my opinion, more stress should be placed on teaching science and technology to the students as compared to traditional subjects like history, as it is more beneficial to the society as well as more fun and interesting for students.

The proponents of teaching history argue that children should be familiarized with their ancestors and the ordeals that they went through to teach them important life lessons.For instance the study of Holocaust can help children in understanding the devastating consequences of human actions on the society. History also gives people a sense of identity and helps in unifying people. For example the recent addition of the subject of Egyptology was hailed as a positive development by most Egyptians and was the source of great national pride for them.

On the other hand,some people point out and I agree that science and technology should be the major focus in school curriculum as it will help students in benefiting the society. The advancements in these fields can help in betterment of present as well as future of the nations. For example the recent developments in the field of robotic surgery have revolutionized healthcare for terminal patients. Moreover science subjects are more interesting for students as there is less memorization and more practical work. According to a study published in world education journal, visual learning in science labs is 70% more effective than the traditional lectures in subjects like history.

In conclusion, more stress should be placed on teaching the practical science fields as compared to history as it will be more beneficial to humanity in addition to being more palatable for students.

This is a Discussion Essay. You have written it very well indeed. Did you get a Discussion Essay in your previous IELTS test?

Thank you, you encouragement means a lot to me. Last time I got a personal viewpoint essay topic….

With Opinion Essays it is easy to not fulfil the Task Response which can greatly affect your score. It might be worth getting my Opinion Essay Advanced Lesson to see if you are following the right techniques: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . You also have to consider task 1. If you are taking the Academic test, there are again criteria that are easily overlooked. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ . Your English does contain errors which might affect hitting band 9. But with the right techniques, you should be able to hit 8 or more (depending on how your write on the day). Always aim for accuracy. The main difference between 8 and 9 is the degree of accuracy in your English writing – so never aim to impress.

Thank you so much for your marvellous help. I am your big fan. I am going for exam 2nd time. I hope I will get sufficient score this time and for that I required your blessings.

Thanks a lot. Amee.

Thanks a lot.

Hope you are doing well, I would to ask if do you know what are the topics given for the month of November. I will be taking the exam by December 15th and 16th, so I would like to have initial ideas to start things right. Looking forward to hear from you soon.

For speaking, topics and questions are used for about three months. But for writing, this isn’t necessarily true. The only way to prepare is to prepare all common topics: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ and recent topics: https://ieltsliz.com/recent-ielts-questions-and-topics/ .

Dear Liz, I am wondering if it is a typo in the sentence ” history gives identify ” or it should be ” identity” Thank you very much for all your valuable effort .

Thanks – I’ve altered it.

Thank You Liz . Thank You. 🌱

I know you will not put the band score, but please can you tell me is this essay enough to get a band score 7.

Traditional subjects such as History, Politics etc were taught in schools spending more time rather than spending on teaching interpersonal and soft skills which is of greater use for students to find a good employment opportunities in future. In my opinion, although spending a good time on teaching traditional subjects, but also giving an equal or more importance to the skills could be a key solution to find a good job.

Firstly, History as a traditional subjects , in addition schools are the best way that our child to get to know about the past tradition, culture, ancient methods, languages as well as about our ancestors, for this reasons, traditional subjects should give more importance like any other subjects in schools.Knowing more about our culture, tradition, history is the only way that we can uphold about our beliefs.

However, due to the increased demand for the skills namely interpersonal and soft skills such as mathematical, marketing etc which is required in all enterprises or in a job market, I admit that by contrast, it is primary to teach the students about the skills in school in addition to the subject history or arts. One clear example, to illustrate here is when we are going for an interview the employer mainly look over the skills that the employee have rather than his knowledge about the traditional subjects because obviously, the employer ‘s motive is the growth of the company.

To summarize, I firmly believe that in school the teachers should give equal or either more importance to teach their students about the skills as it is the most important factor to find a good job. Even though it is good to have knowledge about the tradition and culture.

Is it good enough to get a score of 7? Please if you have time point out my mistakes.

Sorry I don’t give feedback or scores. But I will say, avoid using “etc”. Just decide on two examples and that’s enough.

Hi Miss Liz! I have a question. Why should you not use “etc” in IELTS Writing? Thank you!

You want to showcase your English, so choose your examples carefully and no need to add “etc”. The letters “etc” means unknown, unstated examples – don’t do that in a language test.

Hi miss liz can you please give some variations of task one.

Go to the HOME page and access the main writing task 1 section of the website to find model answers for task 1.

hi mam, I am jumbled up, if the question is what extend you agree or disagree?, and am agreeing that what should my paragragraphs constitute? your earliest reply will be highly appreciated.

If you agree, then each paragraph gives one reason for your opinion.

Hi Liz, how are you?

I am Dario from Argentina and I will take the exam next Saturday. First of all I would like to thank you for all the material, tips and exercises of the web. Secondly, if possible, I would like to to have a look on my essay and tell me what you think.

Thanks in advance

So many times one can hear that the study of history is pointless. Luckily, they are not the majority and other people still believe that history is one of the essential knowledges.

Narrow-minded people may think that the past is gone and what we are living now or going to live in the future has no link with it. They focus on the future as it comes from another planet or suddenly appears from underneath a rock. They do not really see that what happens today is because something happened yesterday, which change the course of the things, made people to take other decisions and choose different things than the ones it would have chosen under other circumstances.

Alternatively, still the most of people support and study history. History is sometimes crucial to understand what is going to happen, but also to prevent some things to happen again, as the holocaust or wars. The same way everyone as individual makes mistakes, the society as a whole do it as well. History provides us the key to think and understand when, why, how and what happen anything and act consequently next time. It is also our collective memory, therefore historians have an important role in our society.

In conclusion, although a small group of people try to reduce the importance of history it can be easily argued and demonstrated that is groundless. In my opinion, history is one of the most important (and exciting) topics in human sciences.

Really that’s true and you helped me a lot through these points

Pliz help me madam,i have an assignment of history now i want u to help me on the same topic.why history as a subject should be taught in schools? Pliz i need some points

All the ideas are given on this page.

mam u need to give people ideas and help instead of just telling them that all the ideas are on the page

The entire page above is a list of ideas for a topic. Please read them.

Thankyou madam ..for everything..

thank you too

To study history is like to live in past.Situations and circumstances changes from time to time.What was considered right in the past may be perceived as wrong in the present circumstances.In the past nations were ruled by the king with absolute authority at their command and can be seen described as dictator. Dictator in present age are not considered acceptable,so why to study previous kings.

hello mam . provide me with the ideas in the recent topic of ielts “similarities are rising with same types of shops , products and brands all over the world . what are the merits and demerits of this ” this was the essay of ielts writing task 2 held on 26 th september 2015

Please see the recent questions page where some ideas have been shared. Liz

Hi Mam I’m blessed that I found your blog at last. I’ve already got Band score 6, but my goal is 8. I’m excited to have your advanced lessons, but unfortunately I’m not sure how I can pay for that from Bangladesh.

Could you please have a look on my Introduction and advise me, pointing the mistakes I made, what I should do?

Learning history is interesting and enjoyable. Studying history is prioritized by some as an effective subject although others argue against it as a waste of time. While studying history, it is possible to know about ancestors’ contribution on this modern world and the mistakes they made, although memorizing dates and names, and lack of science or technology has no usefulness in future.

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Liz, in writing, is it okay ti use contractions? Because in speaking, it contractions are preferred. And is it safe to use highfalutin vocabulary such as sojourn and etc for writing task 2?

No, never use contractions in IELTS writing. Only use vocabulary that you can use with complete accuracy. Liz

Hi Liz, If I don’t get wrong, there is a typo in the third idea in the viewpoint “History is important”. History teaches “us” instead of “use”.

You should think about charging for your proof reading services 🙂 Well spotted. Liz

Hi Liz, I want to write a balanced essay. Would this introduction will be fine?

People have different views about whether or not learning history is vital in our daily lives. In my opinion, studying history has a signicant importance not only in the present but also in the future generation of our society.

Please read my notice: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/ Thanks Liz

I think that if you can not look back at history how can you make today’s age any better

June 13 writing task 2: the statement given went something like this – a huge number of accommodation and transportation facilities emerge in big cities nowadays thus the government is asking the business sectors to relocate their businesses in rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Thanks for sharing. Liz

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Reading Entertainment Books Is a Waste of Time

Some parents believe that reading entertainment books is a waste of time for children, they should only read educational books. What is your opinion? Give your reasons and include your own or relative experience. It is recently asserted that instead of reading entertainment books, children should only read the educational books due to entertainment books waste children time, it is my personal belief that this assertion is built on the weak ground.

There have following reasons for my opinion. One very strong argument is that entertainment book is better for children to acknowledge learning. or one thing, entertainment book will carry more information which not only include traditional educational, but also have more other essential acknowledge, such as imagination, Independent Thinking, a study carried out in more than 1000 school covering 1500 children between 7 to 15 years old shows that educational book mainly focuses on examination and passively receiving "knowledge".

It is unbelievable if our children just receive education passively, they have not any idea about fresh thing in this world, more important, children need more opportunity to choose different book type, in other words, every people need to receive a variety of acknowledging if they want to grow healthy in childhood, it is no doubt that a single educational book can't fulfill the requirement of children.

Order custom essay Reading Entertainment Books Is a Waste of Time with free plagiarism report

Another factor we have to consider is that children read entertainment books is beneficial to family, on the one hand, absolutely it is sweet time when parent company with children to read entertainment until children sleep, it is believed that children will have more strong safe feel when they are adult. On another hand, entertainment book will give more communication topics that will help to parent cross the gap between children.

Take me as an example, I am used to read my son's entertainment books due to some internet word or sentence I need to learn from these books, thus my son thinks his father is same kind guy because we have same language and we have good communication result based on entertainment book, it is impossible if we just talk about educational book. in conclusion, children should read some entertainment books due to it is not waste time, instead, it has a positive influence on children growth and family building.

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Want to finish more books? Super readers share their tips.

Spring is here, the birds are singing and we’ve got ever more daylight to read by — so it’s the ideal time to check in on our bookish resolutions . Good news: If you finished even one book in 2023, you’re already in the 46th percentile of American readers, as The Washington Post’s Andrew Van Dam reported earlier this year .

What about the people at the other end — way at the other end — of the scale?

We talked to a few super-readers, who routinely finish hundreds of books a year, about their habits and goals — and asked them about what tips they have for the rest of us. (These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.)

Olivia Ambrogio, science communications trainer in Silver Spring, Md.

Reads about 200 books a year.

How she does it: I do a mixture of paper and e-reader. I don’t really do audiobooks because I get very impatient with them. I just think the whole time, “I could be reading this faster.” I will say that tracking books has made me a little less willing to give up on a book . The worst is when it’s on an e-reader and you say, “I’m at 42 percent! I can get through the rest of it.”

Pro tip: Take advantage of wait time, no matter how small. I’ll read whenever I have time and whenever I’m not around others — so in the morning, when I’m eating breakfast. I mostly telework these days, but if I’m commuting on the Metro, I’ll read then. Maybe I’m the one cooking dinner and I’m waiting for something to boil; if it’s my night to sit with my daughter, and she’s falling asleep, I’ll read. Little intervals of time.

Goal for 2024: 203 books. It’s more or less what I would read in a year. If I were to do 250 to 300, it would probably be a real challenge that I would have to strategize for.

Paul Scott, retired in Los Altos, Calif.

Goal for 2024: 400 books. Last year I did 388. The year before I did 350. So I’ll just see if it’s possible to do 400. I think I’ll make it.

I say, half joking, that it makes up for a bad public school education. I will go down a rabbit hole on an issue that I “learned about.” It was partly the texts we were using — when I read about the Dust Bowl in school, it was like one paragraph. So I started with a fictional book, Kristin Hannah’s book , then I read Timothy Egan’s nonfiction book . That led me to read about soil conservation, and that led me to read about prairies.

How he does it: When I was working, I probably read 100 books a year because I traveled quite a bit, probably 250 days out of the year. This was before we were all plugged in and before you could really do any work on an airplane.

People say to me, “Are you playing a lot more golf since you retired?” But now that I can golf every day, what I’d rather do is read. The pandemic crystallized how I wanted to spend my spare time. There was nothing on TV. All of a sudden I had this time from 4:30 to 8:30 in the morning, and I thought, “Gosh, I should really spend more time reading.”

I’d say about 350 to 400 pages a day is what I can do. Yesterday I read a book that was about 600 pages, partially because I wanted to finish it. I didn’t want to waste any more time with it. I usually get three to four good hours in the morning, and then I get a couple of hours in the afternoon or early evening.

You have to say to yourself, “This time of the day is sacrosanct.” When I was coaching salespeople, one of the things that people never liked to do was cold call. I told them, “If you want to get good at it, you’ve got to put it on your calendar and make sure you follow the calendar.” So I apply that to reading.

Pro tip: Invest time on the front end to gain momentum. If you really want to read a book, you’ve got to get into the first hundred pages, 200 pages. If you can’t, you’ll find reading is really hard. In the old days, I can’t tell you how many books I’d start and read 15 pages one day, and the next day I’d read the same 15 pages, just trying to get into it. If I can get a big chunk of a book started, it’s much easier for me to finish it quickly.

Allison Wack, veterinarian in Frederick, Md.

Reads about 300 books a year.

How she does it: I mostly read audiobooks. I’ll sneak in a paper book once in a while, but I just don’t sit very much — I’m always running around, especially with two young kids; I also do a lot of volunteering for the Girl Scouts. I pretty much have my headset on all the time when I am around my house, doing chores or making dinner. In an hour, I can get through 3 hours of a book (I listen to everything on 3x. Don’t be intimidated by going fast! You can get there.)

Pro-tip: See if your library has agreements with others in your region, allowing you to borrow from their collections, too. For some of the libraries, you have to go in person to get the card. I have a book club, and we did this really fun crawl where we all went together to all the libraries, to get cards. I think I have eight?

Goal for 2024: At least 300 books.

Vivian Taylor, book blogger in Charleston, W.Va.

Reads 365 books a year. I’m in awe of people who have full-time jobs, who have children, or they’re married or in a serious relationship and they’ve got all of the responsibilities related to that. And they find time to read! Those people, to me, are more astonishing.

How she does it: I moved back to West Virginia to take care of my aging parents in 2008. Initially, my annual goal was 200 or 250. It wasn’t really massive numbers, simply because I was so heavily involved in taking my father to medical appointments. I was getting up usually around 6 in the morning, then I’d read for about an hour before getting my dad out of bed. After I dropped him off at dialysis, I had two, three hours when I could read before picking him up and taking him back to my parents’ house and getting him comfortable for the remainder of the day. Once I left, I had the rest of the day that I could devote to reading. I read from 6 to about 11 or 12 o’clock at night.

For me, it’s not only a great escape, it’s my self-care. I don’t go out and get manicures and pedicures and massages or anything like that. My self-care is expanding my home library and reading books.

I have found that e-books work best for me. I deal with chronic migraines, so I do have days when I can’t read. But reading digitally means that I can change the color of the background, I can make the font larger, and as I’m aging that is a big plus. I do collect physical books. There are some books where I have the paperback, the hardcover copy, the e-book copy and an audiobook. Casey Cep’s “ Furious Hours ” is one.

Goal for 2024: 365 books. Every year the only resolution I make is, “This is going to be the year where I don’t reread a lot of favorite books.” And I never make it past the second week of January! I read the entire “In Death” series by J.D. Robb every other year. Although I’m very familiar with the series and the characters and the action and everything, picking up those books is like meeting old friends all over again.

Rachel Dawson, social media manager in Richmond

Reads between 150 and 200 books a year. After college, it took me some time to find my way back to reading for fun. In 2015, I set my first goal, which was to read 50 books. I surpassed that — I read 80 books or so — and every year, I’ve increased my goals. It helps me to have a number to strive for.

How she does it: I track my reading in a couple of different apps, and I do a lot of book bullet journaling. I have a spreadsheet that I put all my numbers in, and it tracks the percentage I am toward my goal. It also changes colors based on how far behind or ahead I am. Every month as I read, I stack up my books; that visual cue is motivating to me, too.

Creating content about books is a hobby that became a revenue stream on the side. I make revenue from brand partnerships, a book club and a Substack. It’s money that I throw toward savings or my credit card. In the circles I run in online, there’s a lot of comparison, and you get caught up in that and feel like you need to keep up or read every popular book as soon as it comes out, or read several hundred books to be impressive.

Goal for 2024: 12 books. I was finding myself reaching for really short books, really light and fluffy books, just to try to finish something quickly, to add another book to that stack. I revisited the American Girl books from my childhood, which are so tiny.

This year feels exciting because I’ve already hit my reading goal. I can let that go. I really want to prioritize books that matter, books that are quality and books by authors of color. I always had time — but I just didn’t feel like I did.

Pro tip: Get a reading app. If I put the app in the same folder on my phone where Instagram is, it’s a helpful trigger: What if I read for a couple of minutes instead of scrolling?

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Why Pauline Kael’s fight over ‘Citizen Kane’ still matters, whichever side you’re on

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Did Orson Welles get too much glory for “Citizen Kane”? Absolutely, New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael insists in this novella-length fire-starter about the making of the greatest movie of all time. (We can save that skirmish for another day.) As Charles Foster Kane, a sendup of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, Welles embodied the image of a vainglorious Great Man. But Welles’ success, according to Kael, meant he also needed to be taken down a peg.

The Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf

“Raising Kane” ranks No. 40 on our list of the best Hollywood books of all time.

“Orson Welles wasn’t around when ‘Citizen Kane’ was written,” Kael chided. The 25-year-old prodigy was busy doing radio plays with the Mercury Theatre and promoting his forthcoming film debut with a studio that wanted only one name — by Orson Welles! — on the posters. RKO’s advertising campaign lauded “Citizen Kane” as the creation of “a one-man band.” Meanwhile, the actual author of the masterpiece — the movie’s co-screenwriter, Herman J. Mankiewicz — was tucked away in a rest home in Victorville, dictating the script to his secretary.

Kael’s Mankiewicz was a pitiable figure, a self-destructive alcoholic nursing a broken leg and an injured ego. She hoisted him up as one of Hollywood’s unheralded heroes, a brilliant quipster who quietly contributed his wit to everything from “Duck Soup” to “The Wizard of Oz.” Mankiewicz’s work often went unacknowledged, but he’d helped give the 1930s comedies the rat-a-tat rhythm of he and his friends ping-ponging jokes around the Algonquin Round Table. Much of the New York literary clique followed Mankiewicz to California when the industry shifted from silents to sound and filmmakers suddenly needed to hand their beautiful faces brilliant things to say. Together, this band of bohemians molded the modern movie business into what Kael hails as “wisecracking, fast-talking, cynical-sentimental entertainment.”

Decades later, David Fincher’s biopic “Mank” would back up Kael’s sympathetic sketch of Mankiewicz as the forgotten man. But pretty much everyone else considers her essay a hit job, a ferocious attack on a cinematic Goliath. “Raising Kane” took down Welles as handily as if she’d slipped a grenade in her slingshot. After the piece’s publication, Welles’ reputation tumbled — although the height from which he fell was his own fault. “Cinema is the work of one single person,” Kael quotes Welles as boasting, adding that he’d also bragged of making an easy transition from theater to film, as “there was nothing about camerawork that any intelligent man couldn’t learn in half a day.”

Such hubris put Welles in Kael’s crosshairs. (On his slighting of cinematographer Gregg Toland, she snarked, “Welles, like Hearst, and like most very big men, is capable of some very small gestures.”) Yet Kael’s real target was Village Voice film critic Andrew Sarris , her longtime rival who had staked his reputation on the auteur theory — the exaltation of the director über alles . To pull off her thesis, she refused to interview anyone who might have disagreed with her, including Welles himself. Anyone reading “Raising Kane” for the first time should remember that it’s merely one side in an intellectual tug-of-war.

Subsequent counter-essays flung darts at Kael’s biased research. (“How the hell do you call out a lady movie critic at dawn?” Welles groaned in a letter quoted in Peter Bogdanovich’s rebuttal, “The Kane Mutiny.”) But “Raising Kane’s” value transcends the question of whether Kael was correct. (She kinda was, she kinda wasn’t.) What matters is she started a fight that forced all film fans to consider, and defend, their definition of a great director: Is it a big boss enforcing their will upon a set, or a humble collaborator who brings out the best in their team?

For the peacemakers, it’s possible to twist “Raising Kane” into a defense of Welles’ later career, often waved off as not living up to the promise of his first film. If the boy genius puffed himself up too much, then it’s a kindness to forgive him for not measuring up to artificially inflated expectations. And despite the outrage, it’s clear that Kael admired “Citizen Kane” and the man who marshaled it into existence. “Orson Welles brought forth a miracle,” she wrote. Bless his heart.

Nicholson is a film critic and the host of the podcast “Unspooled.” Her first book, “Tom Cruise: Anatomy of an Actor” was published by Cahiers du Cinema, and her second, “Extra Girls,” will be published by Simon & Schuster.

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Books are trash too: Remember to throw them away during spring cleaning

I used to hold on to books as if they were cash, before realizing that all books are not created equally, by d. watkins.

Trashing books has the power to save the publishing industry.

Spring cleaning has become a universal time to declutter our lives , chucking everything we no longer need. Those jeans you can't fit anymore and maybe will never be able to fit again. Your iPhone 3, unless you are an archivist who is planning to have an exhibit based upon technology that we'll never use again. And your mail, go through it. You don't need to save the red light ticket from 2023 because if you didn't pay it by now, I'm pretty sure you already paid to remove the boot or took care of it when you paid your 10 other tickets from Motor Vehicles. 

I try to do this every year and have to say that I am getting better with time because, in 2024, I purged some items that were near and dear to my heart, items I never thought I had the heart to get rid of: books. Yes, I got rid of books. 

Before you begin tearing me apart, I did not throw all the books in the trash ; only about 30, and the rest of the books will be donated to an organization in Baltimore called The Book Thing, which frequently hosts giveaways. But yes, there are now about 100 books erased from my library, and I am so happy for several reasons. I'll start by addressing the elephant in the room, which you and I both know but up until now would never say. So, imagine me standing on top of a soapbox, dead center in the middle of a crowd of about 1,000 people, yelling at the top of my lungs, "All books are not created equal!"

This is when you may click off of this article, storm out of your room, slam the door behind you or become ambitious by writing a nasty letter to my editor. But before you do that, let me just tell you a little bit about my process and the books that are currently sitting at the bottom of my trash can. 

Most of the books that made it into my donation pile were celebrity memoirs that were beautifully written and surprisingly inspiring. 

My system isn't intricate or complex at all, as it is solely based on two general rules that are summarized in these questions:

Is this book so good that it deserves to be read by someone who can be inspired as well? 

Is this book so bad that I would never want to punish another person by mistakenly having it fall into their hands? 

Most of the books that made it into my donation pile were celebrity memoirs that were beautifully written and surprisingly inspiring. For full transparency, I never got into celebrity memoirs until I was given assignments to cover them for work – and then became more interested in the genre when I started writing them myself. Gabrielle Union has a beautiful memoir, as does Viola Davis, Chelsea Handler and Chef Kwame Onwuachi , to name a few. These books are hysterical, informative and most importantly, easy to read. 

My opinion could be biased, but those books are often written by highly talented writers who don't always get the promotion or backing behind their books that they deserve. So ghostwriting is the only way they could eke out a decent career. Many of the celebrity memoirs I have are directly connected to people I covered for work over the years; however, I buy them for myself from time to time, and they don't need to be a part of my library. I've learned the lessons, I will not revisit. They take up space, and we are spring cleaning, so it is time to pass them on. 

We've had all kinds of literary crises in my hometown of Baltimore. As a writer with some local success, I donated boxes of books like "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin and "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.

Your bookshelf should be beautiful enough to make it onto someone's Pinterest page. I don't even know if people still use Pinterest, but if they do then your bookshelf should be on there. You shouldn't have a bookshelf that has nothing but books. You need a cute little woven basket, or a little statue from your ceramics class or maybe that plaque you got from work from being employee of the month or something, but you got to spice it up, you got to make it look good and you're not going to do it if you're holding on to that celebrity memoir that you are never going to open again.

Some of the classics should be donated as well. We've had all kinds of literary crises in my hometown of Baltimore. As a writer with some local success, I donated boxes of books like "Beloved" by Toni Morrison , "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin and "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. These are books that our young people need to read; they need to see themselves in the history of this country, they need to see themselves in the present, and they need to see themselves in the future. We have an opportunity to do this if we stop hoarding books.

And then there is the trash pile.

If we hate some artwork, hate some of the food from some fancy restaurants that are supposed to be great, and hate the design, fabric, and everything related to some of the furniture we feel shouldn't have been created – then why can't we hate books? There's an awful stigma that we hold on to when talking about books that we need to release immediately. Your favorite singer's sophomore album can suck, but a book can't? So now everyone can write? 

Why must we sit up on our high horse and act like books are the one thing you can never get rid of? This could not be further from the truth, and I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to figure this out. Books can be trash just like that horrific excuse for artwork you made at some Sip and Paint you attended on a corny date night.  

So, as I did my spring cleaning, I threw away a book called "eBay for Dummies" because what is this, 1990? I trashed a book about a faultless preacher who saved his entire congregation because red flags flooded the first paragraph, and I tossed out a lovely tale about a pop singer who was forced to sell bricks of cocaine for the Mexican cartel as she soared up the R&B charts. There was also a collection of old college books that should have been in the dump a long time ago as well, like that Business 101 book that taught you nothing about business, and any book that was written by the professor, who you also had to buy the book from – and about 90% of your pity purchases. This is the part where you can call me a terrible person, but this is also how we can save the publishing industry. 

 A pity purchase is a book that you bought because you felt sympathy for the person selling it – and yes, as a person who wrote eight books, I have definitely been on the other side of pity purchases. These purchases often happen at empty readings or book fairs where you sit alone at your table with that big stack of work that you poured your heart and soul into, Sharpie in hand, ready to sign as everyone walks past you. People will walk past you for hours, but then from the shadows emerges a grandma with two big watery slits for eyes that glisten and gleam as she slides towards you and says something like, “I can't believe you wrote a whole book, sonny. I’ll buy one!" And you quickly pull it away from the stack. You sign it because you know once your signature is in that book that she can't take it to the bookseller’s brick and mortar and return it, that book is hers, and she stuck with it for life. And from this transaction you received that one little piece of hope, that makes you feel like you're writing and career aren't entirely worthless. That grandma gives you the industry to push forward. But maybe she can't do that if her bookshelf is full of 300 pity purchases . . . so we must purge. 

The point is that you got the sale, so you don't have to punish the person by expecting them to read it or hold on to it. It is totally cool if grandma throws that book in the trash because it belongs to her; she bought it. 

I feel so good now that I have cleaned off my bookshelves. And guess what? Not only do I have space to make my shelves look cute enough to be on someone's Pinterest page, but I can also make some more pity purchases — the kind of pity purchases that keep our industry alive. 

So do yourself a favor this spring and go throw some books away. 

about this topic

• D. Watkins' Salon 5: The five unexpected books on D's summer reading list
• Viola Davis shares regrets over acting in "The Help": The "voices of the maids" weren’t heard
• "I tried on the American dream": CNN analyst Natasha Alford on finding success without assimilating

D. Watkins is an Editor at Large for Salon. He is also a writer on the HBO limited series "We Own This City" and a professor at the University of Baltimore. Watkins is the author of the award-winning, New York Times best-selling memoirs “ The Beast Side: Living  (and Dying) While Black in America ”, " The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir ," " Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope " as well as " We Speak For Ourselves: How Woke Culture Prohibits Progress ." His new books, " Black Boy Smile: A Memoir in Moments ," and " The Wire: A Complete Visual History " are out now.

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Hanif Abdurraqib's new book ponders LeBron James, growing up and going home

Hanif Abdurraqib's new book, There's Always This Year , is difficult even for the author to summarize — it's part memoir, part basketball analysis, part poetry and essay collections. In today's episode, the MacArthur Fellow and writer speaks with NPR's Scott Detrow about how growing up in Columbus, Ohio, watching LeBron James' spectacular ascent, and understanding the passage of time all led to a meditation on mortality and success.

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