Today’s Post by Joe Farace
National Book Month is observed during October. As warm temperatures start to fade away for the cooler —or colder, snowier—winter weather, it’s the perfect time to kick back, have a cup of tea or glass of wine and curl up with a good book. It’s easy to get caught up in the activities of everyday life and forget to enjoy little things. And while some might put relaxing hobbies. like reading. on the backburner take the time pick up a few new books and make time to read them.
Start by getting some new books that you have been meaning to read. Lately I have been enjoying the Charles Todd series of British mysteries set in post-WWI Great Britain. (I don’t just read photograph or car-related books.) Reading is also one of the best things you can do for your mental health, so here’s a few reasons you should pick and read a book this month.
- Reading provides mental stimulation. Our brains need exercise and nourishment to stay strong and healthy. Studies have also shown that it can slow or even prevent altogether, diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
- It reduces stress. Reading can take you to another place and time and help you forget about any stress that’s currently going on in your life and these days there’s plenty of that going round.. I just finished reading Act of Oblivion about the aftermath of the English Civil War and a manhunt for two men that were part of the conspiracy to execute Charles I.
- It provides knowledge. Even if you’re reading fiction, everything you take in provides your brain with new knowledge…
- According to research, Reading expands your vocabulary and memory. The more you read, the more you get exposed to new words and expressions, which strengthens your personal vocabulary each day. It improves your memory because it trains your brain to remember characters, plots, and other things happening in your book.
- Lastly, it’s entertainment in the best possible form. When you read a book, your mind creates its own images of each character and setting, meaning the story is a little bit different for everyone who reads it. It makes it more personal and exciting and provides entertainment that lasts hours.
On a personal note, I would really appreciate if you could make the time to read the Joe’s Book Club posts that appear here every other Saturday on this blog.
How I made this shot: When I lived in Baltimore, there was a small room that was located just off the living room that had several built-in bookcases and I called it my library. I don’t have anything like that in my Daisy Hill home but I have these (not built-in) 40-year old cherry wood bookcases in the dining room where I photographed my former muse, Erin Valakari using a Panasonic Lumix GH4 with Olympus M.45mm f/1.8. Lighting was from a single Paul C Buff Alien Bee B800 that was bounced off the ceiling. Exposure was 1/50 sec at f/5 and ISO 200.
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Along with photographer Barry Staver, Joe is co-author of Better Available Light Digital Photography with new copies are available from Amazon for $22.99 and used copies starting around six bucks.