Avoiding Mommy-Mushy Brain - Part 3

What are you reading?  For some of us the better question is, are you reading?  Books are a great way to enjoy learning.  We all know this.  That's why we read to our kids.  But we need to read, ourselves.  We also need to make sure that we aren't just reading junk romance or other escapist fiction.  I understand that picking up some light reading every now and then is really enjoyable.  But make sure that you are also reading books that make you think, stay with you, present another point of view, or teach you something. 

Try to intersperse non-fiction in your reading.  For some really interesting non-fiction reads, I suggest the following "starter" list.

"A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

anything written by Malcolm Gladwell
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

Historical Fiction can also be a great way to learn about history and enjoy a good story at the same time.  I don't have a starter list for you, just search historical fiction on amazon and you will find plenty.

I am also a big fan of good fantasy and science fiction, which can present interesting moral dilemmas and insights.  I personally love Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Ender's Game and many more.

Then there are the classics.  You can find all sorts of lists on the Internet of things everyone should read.  But for a really thorough, well-rounded foundation for your mind, I think the list from Thomas Jefferson Education is a great place to start from.  They have a list for adults, youth, and children.

Remember, don't be afraid to look in your library's juvenile section for good literature.  Anything worth reading when you're 10 should be worth reading when you're 50.