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Can reading make you smarter? (Eric Moore

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Can reading make you smarter? (Eric Moore

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Reading can make you smarter. It is a proven fact that people who read books are generally "smarter" and are able to score higher on IQ tests. Dan Hurley, the author of my article, described his reading and education struggle as a young child. He later went on to describe how reading comics and writing comics allowed him to gain three types of intelligence and later score a 136 on the United States IQ test. These three types of intelligence are  Crystallized, Fluid, and emotional. All three of these things effect your daily life and have a part in anything from riding a bike all the way up to solving intense calculus equations. In conclusion, reading enhances the brains activity and does make you smarter.

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The Truth About Outside Reading: Why It’s Important and What to Read (Danny Ceravolo)

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The Truth About Outside Reading: Why It’s Important and What to Read (Danny Ceravolo)

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It is important to read because it helps you to form interests and expand your personality. Along with that reading will enhance your vocabulary and help you write better application essays for college. Reading can also help you to relieve stress and make life easier.

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Educators have always stressed the importance of reading for pleasure outside of class, but how does this benefit students preparing for the college admissions process?

Preparing for college doesn't mean just building a balanced college list, taking standardized tests and completing college applications senior year. It's never too early to start thinking about college, and one of the best ways to start the college prep process is to read! Not just about the admissions process in general, but works of fiction and nonfiction, publications and blogs.

For some students, outside reading may seem less important than the other obligations vying for their time and attention. However, outside reading is crucial during the college prep process and should be encouraged early on.

Here's why it's really important for students to read outside of class:

It helps develop interests.
As I've said many times before, colleges aren't looking for the mythical "well-rounded student." Instead, colleges want to build well-rounded classes made up of specialists -- or students with a defined interest that they've honed and intend to pursue in college. Becoming a specialist means identifying and exploring a particular passion or interest, and one of the best ways to do this is through reading.

For example, a student interested in economics or finance can read books, blogs and niche publications to better understand the field and it's core concepts. This knowledge can then be used in extracurricular activities, such as functioning as the treasurer for the entrepreneur club or organizing a fundraiser for another student organization.

It helps colleges get to know you.
Colleges like Columbia University and Stanford University have sections on their Common Application supplement that ask students to list what they've been reading outside of class. Princeton University and University of Southern California also have "short take" questions on their supplements that ask students to indicate their favorite book and author. Colleges want to get to know students and their interests, and looking at their outside reading is one way to do it.

Not only does outside reading provide insight into your personality, it can also give you material for a compelling college essay. For example, in Harvard's Common Application supplement, students are given the opportunity to write an essay from a selection of topics, including "an intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper, poetry or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science or other modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you."

It will enhance your vocabulary...
The more words you're exposed to, the better chance that they will eventually make their way into your own internal word bank. Studies have shown that the more students read, the better their vocabularies, which can come in handy when preparing for standardized tests. Not only does reading provide the vocabulary, but also the context to derive its meaning -- which is a key component of critical reading passages on the SAT and ACT. By reading challenging material, you're practicing for standardized tests without even knowing it!

...and help make you a better writer.
Want to write a standout college application essay? Read more. Studies have shown that those who read a variety of well-written works are more likely to excel in writing achievement. Coupled with enhanced vocabulary, writing styles and devices, including cadence, word usage, sentence construction and more, can essentially rub off on readers.

While reading is a great tool to teach writing, critically thinking about what you're reading can also help improve your writing. It's important not just to read, but analyze the selection itself including its meaning, themes and ultimate message.

It's relaxing.
Apart from the obvious academic benefits that can help you improve your chances of getting into your dream college, reading is also a great way to decompress and de-stress. Even just reading for a short amount of time can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. This is important for students struggling with the balance among school, extracurricular activities and standardized test prep.

Here are some books that students should consider adding to their outside reading lists, depending on their interests.

Art and Art History

History of Art by Anthony F. Janson and H.W. Janson

Great Artists: The Lives of 50 Painters Explored Through Their Work by Robert Cumming

English and Literature

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Business

The Teen's Guide to Personal Finance by Joshua Holmberg and David Bruzzese

Becoming Financially Literate: The Basics You Never Learned in High School by Eric J. Weiss

Technology

The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

The Chip: How Two Americans Invented the Microchip and Launched a Revolution by T.R. Reid

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The Truth About Outside Reading: Why It's Important and What to Read

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Educators have always stressed the importance of reading for pleasure outside of class, but how does this benefit students preparing for the college admissions process? Preparing for college doesn't mean just building a balanced college list, taking standardized tests and completing college applications senior year.

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8 Science Back Reasons to Read a (Real) Book by Abigail Wise

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8 Science Back Reasons to Read a (Real) Book by Abigail Wise

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(Erin Galczynski)
It is important to make reading a part of your everyday lifestyle because reading throughout life, helps fight Alzheimer's Disease later on. By reading a book, you are stimulating your brain more than other activities making you 2.5 times less likely to  develop Alzheimer's since your brain is stimulated more than the average person.

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Bookworms can see some serious perks to their health and happiness. Want to really reap the benefits of reading? Reach for an old-fashioned, printed book.

By Abigail Wise

There's nothing like the smell of old books or the crack of a new one's spine. (Plus, you'll never run low on battery.) As it turns out, diving into a page-turner can also offer benefits toward your health and happiness. Although more and more people own e-books, it seems safe to say that real books aren't going anywhere yet, and these benefits of reading are here to stay (as are these good books to read).

Eighty-eight percent of the Americans who read e-books continue to read printed ones as well. And while we're all for the convenience of digital downloads and a lighter load, we can't bring ourselves to part with the joy of a good, old-fashioned read or some classic books. When we talk about healthy habits, we might as well add reading books to the list: Here are eight smart reasons to read a real book.

It increases intelligence.

As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Diving into a good book opens up a whole world of knowledge starting from a very young age. Exposure to vocabulary through reading (particularly reading children's books) not only leads to higher score on reading tests, but also higher scores on general tests of intelligence for children. Plus, stronger early reading skills may mean higher intelligence later in life.

Plus, it can boost your brain power.

Not only does regular reading help make you smarter, but it can also actually increase your brain power. Just like going for a jog exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good workout. With age comes a decline in memory and brain function, but regular reading may help slow the process, keeping minds sharper longer, according to research published in Neurology. Frequent brain exercise was able to lower mental decline by 32 percent, reports The Huffington Post.

Reading can make you more empathetic.

Getting lost in a good read can make it easier for you to relate to others. Literary fiction, specifically, has the power to help its readers understand what others are thinking by reading other people's emotions, according to research published in . The impact is much more significant on those who read literary fiction as opposed to those who read nonfiction. "Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies," David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano wrote of their findings.

Flipping pages can help you understand what you're reading.

When it comes to actually remembering what you're reading, you're better off going with a book than you are an e-book. The feel of paper pages under your fingertips provides your brain with some context, which can lead to a deeper understanding and better comprehension of the subject you're reading about, Wired reports. So to reap the benefits of a good read, opt for the kind with physical pages (and maybe one of the best books out there).

It may help fight Alzheimer's disease.

Reading puts your brain to work, and that's a very good thing. Those who who engage their brains through activities such as reading, chess, or puzzles could be 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who spend their down time on less stimulating activities. The paper suggests that exercising the brain may help because inactivity increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's, inactivity is actually an early indicator of the disease, or a little of each.

Reading can help you relax.

There's a reason snuggling up with a good book (and maybe a glass of wine) after a long day sounds so appealing. Research suggests that reading can work as a serious stress-buster. One 2009 study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68 percent. "It really doesn't matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author's imagination," cognitive neuropsychologist David Lewis​ told The Telegraph.

Reading before bed can help you sleep.

Creating a bedtime ritual, like reading before bed, signals to your body that it's time to wind down and go to sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. Reading a real book helps you relax more than zoning out in front of a screen before bed. Screens like e-readers and tablets can actually keep you awake longer and even hurt your sleep. That applies to kids too: Fifty-four percent of children sleep near a small screen, and clock 20 fewer minutes of shut-eye on average because of it, according to research published in Pediatrics. So reach for the literal page-turners before switching off the light.

Reading is contagious.

Seventy-five percent of parents wish their children would read more for fun, and those who want to encourage their children to become bookworms can start by reading out loud at home. While most parents stop reading out loud after their children learn to do it on their own, a report from Scholastic suggests that reading out loud to kids throughout their elementary school years may inspire them to become frequent readers-meaning kids who read five to seven days per week for fun. More than 40 percent of frequent readers ages six through 10 were read to out loud at home, but only 13 percent of those who did not read often for fun were. Translation? Story time offers a good way to spark an interest in the hobby.

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8 Science-Backed Benefits of Reading a (Real) Book

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There's nothing like the smell of old books or the crack of a new one's spine. (Plus, you'll never run low on battery.) As it turns out, diving into a page-turner can also offer benefits toward your health and happiness.

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Why Leaders Must be Readers by Kelsey Meyer 

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Why Leaders Must be Readers by Kelsey Meyer 

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Reading allows you to have discussions and create conversations. This gives you an opportunity to connect with other people because you both have the knowledge of what you read.  (Maria)

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If you take only one glance at our professional branding company's leadership team, you may be surprised by our youthfulness. Our team is young (and looks even younger), but I am confident that the youthfulness of our team is helping our growth. That's not because I agree with anything stated by Cathryn Sloane in her article that declared that all social media managers should be under the age of 25 - it's because I believe that our employees' youthfulness drives their intellectual curiosity. They want to learn, and the most common way they search for new knowledge is by reading articles and books by successful business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs.

This doesn't need to apply only to young businesspeople, though. It can be even more important for seasoned employees; leaders must be readers. Reading and learning from peers within, and outside of, your industry enables you to grow as an employee, business owner, and leader in three distinct ways.
Reading Reminds You
I make it a habit to re-read specific books every year because I need constant reminders of the good things they've taught me. After my third reading of Gary Vaynerchuk's The Thank You Economy, I was inspired to work with our team to handwrite every one of our clients a thank-you note. Whether you re-read the same book or article to remind you of concepts, or read content on time management and organization as a constant reminder to work on these things, reading is valuable because it keeps important concepts top of mind.
Reading Challenges You
A female co-worker of mine, whom I respect immensely, recently gave me a book and said, "I disagree with about 80% of this, but you should definitely read it." I loved that she was sharing a book that challenged her opinions, yet felt it was worthwhile reading for the 20% that was valuable. Reading something you disagree with can have a big impact on your ability to think, both creatively and logically.
Reading Gives You Opportunities to Interact with Others
I have referenced articles and books I've read in countless conversations, not to sound intelligent or cool (some of what I read would accomplish the opposite), but to relate to those with whom I'm speaking. Here are a few ways you should be making the most of what you're reading:

Take notes and share them with your team.

An investor in our company sends me, on average, five articles a day and I always put them in a file that says "To Read." When I have 10 minutes at the end of the day, I read an article or two, knowing that I can discuss these pieces with him later. It's a great way for us to share ideas and inspire action in each other.

Spark debates with your team.

I also like using article topics to spark debate amongst our team members about how we should address a subject. I've heard of companies creating book clubs, where employees discuss topics in books that relate to their industry during lunch once a month. Sparking debate and sharing ideas is a wonderful way to use written content as a team-bonding tool.

Back up an idea you have or a decision you want to make.

You can use an article/book/speech from a respected person in your field to back up a decision you want to make. I'm not saying you should make decisions based solely on what you read, but it does give you more leverage when you say, "I read in So-and-So's book that he had success with X, and I thought that we could implement this idea in our company by doing Y." It's a little more likely to stick than saying, "Who knows if this has ever worked for anyone in the past? But heck, let's be the first to see if it can work!"

If you're one of those people who claim you don't have time to read, then first, I question why you're reading my measly little article. Second, I encourage you to make time. Time never "appears" for anything; you have to make it. If nothing else, learn how to multitask. Listen to content while driving or walking to work (I suggest "This American Life" and "Intelligence Squared" on NPR - I'm obsessed with both). If you don't have time to read an entire book, read short articles online. If you're dying to read a book but honestly can't find the time, then pair up with a friend and take turns reading and sharing the ideas through short descriptions, or find excerpts of the book online.

If you are a leader, you should be striving to develop knowledge to improve yourself, your company, and the people who work for you. To do anything less is to shortchange your ability to lead.
Kelsey Meyer is the Vice President of Digital Talent Agents, an online PR firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, universities, and corporate leaders establish themselves as thought leaders in their industries. Kelsey has been involved with four successful startups and is actively involved in the entrepreneurship community in Missouri.

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by Kelsey Meyer If you take only one glance at our professional branding company's leadership team, you may be surprised by our youthfulness. Our team is young (and looks even younger), but I am confident that the youthfulness of our team is helping our growth. That's not because I agree with anything [...]

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How reading improves your Social Life (Riley Mustaro)

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How reading improves your Social Life (Riley Mustaro)

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A single work of fiction is a better route to understanding people than a mountain of non fiction and real life events.  You create a better understanding of how people act and how you should act towards them by all of the different scenarios you go through while reading these stories.

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For the last few years, about 90% of my reading diet has been non-fiction, most of it about human nature. Three of my favorite books are: Jonathan Haidt's The Happiness Hypothesis, which I recommended recently; How We Decide, by Jonah Lehrer (a "popular neuroscience" writer, if there is such a thing), and Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihlayi. I also consume lots of articles on the Web about evolutionary psychology, social neuroscience, behavioral economics -- anything that promises to answer the questions of Who We Are and Why We're Here.

When I was younger, my reading patterns were very different: I read mostly fiction. Then, somewhere along the way, I lost patience for it -- for the made-up stories and intricate plotlines. Nonfiction seemed to provide more direct answers to the questions that consume me. I still make room for novels that are gorgeously written or irresistibly page-turning, but that's a much higher standard than I set for non-fiction.

But lately, I've started to think this is a mistake. I wonder if a single work of great fiction is a better route to understanding people than a mountain of psychology papers. I've noticed that I often feel for people who are very different from me by calling up fictional characters I "met" decades ago. When I read a newspaper article about extreme poverty, for example, I think of Rukmani, the Indian peasant heroine of Nectar in a Sieve, which I read when I was ten -- and how terrified she felt that she'd run out of rice (she often did) to feed her family.

I tell you all this because I just came across a study suggesting that fiction readers tend to be more empathic than non-fiction readers. This could of course be correlation rather than causation -- maybe the kind of person who likes fiction is more empathic to start with -- but the researchers think not. They believe that there's something about exposure to fiction -- the direct immersion in another person's mind and body -- that stimulates our empathic muscles.

This hit home for me, and it got me thinking that I'd like to start reading more fiction again. Awesome readers, can you please send me (and each other) your recommendations? Please also share your favorite memoirs -- a genre I believe is the best of both worlds and have always loved to read, even during my recent Serious Nonfiction Jag.
OK, I'll start: Fiction:
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving

Howard's End, by E.M. Forster
Memoirs:
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, by Jung Chang

Growing Up Bin Laden: Osama's Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World, by Najwa Bin Laden and Omar Bin Laden, with Jean Sasson

*I'd also love any recommendations of books that produce in grown-ups that spine-tingling, suspense-filled feeling that children come by so easily when they read fantasy stories.
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For the last few years, about 90% of my reading diet has been non-fiction, most of it about human nature. Three of my favorite books are: Jonathan Haidt's The Happiness Hypothesis, which I recommended recently; How We Decide, by Jonah Lehrer (a "popular neuroscience" writer, if there is such a thing), and Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihlayi.