I agree that reading allow us to gain new knowledge, and to be better equipped with the things that is happening around us. Newspapers update us with latest information about what is going on in the world or the nation. For example, we would not have known about the current H1N1 pandemic flu had we not read the newspapers.

I think reading is important because of many reasons.

There may be many causes for people not reading books such as the “quips” of information you can get on the Internet. TV is also a major distracter. Making time to read is something we all know we should do, but who schedules book reading time every day? Very few would.

Reading is an active mental process – Unlike TV, books make you to use your brain. By reading, you think more and become smarter. It is a fundamental skill builder - books help to clarify difficult subjects. Books provide information that goes deeper than just classroom discussion. It improves your vocabulary – While reading books, especially challenging ones, you will find yourself exposed to many new words you wouldn’t be otherwise. It gives you a glimpse into other cultures and places - Books can expand your horizons by letting you see what other cities and countries have to offer before you visit them. It improves concentration and focus – It requires you to focus on what you are reading for long periods. Since you must concentrate in order to read, like a muscle, you will get better at concentration. It builds self-esteem – By reading more books, you become better informed and more of an expert on the topics you read about. This expertise translates into higher self esteem. It improves creativity – by reading more books and exposing yourself to new and more complete information, you will also be able to come up with more creative ideas. It gives you something to talk about – You can discuss various plots in the novels you read, you can discuss the stuff you are learning in the business books you are reading as well. The possibilities of sharing are endless. You can learn at your own pace – Where formal education requires time commitments, books have no late-bells or hourly commitments. There is new mental associations – As you read more books the depth and breadth of your knowledge expands and your ability to form new associations increases. In reading a book to discover the solution to one problem, you find the solution to others you may not have considered. It improves your reasoning skills – Books for professionals contain arguments for or against the actions within. You will be able to reason better with the knowledge you gain. Some of the arguments will rub off on you. Others you will argue against. Regardless, you’ll be reasoning better. It builds your expertise – Brian Tracy has said one way to become an expert in your chosen field is to read 100 books on the subject. It saves money – Apart from saving money on entertainment expenses. Reading books that help you develop your skills saves money. Reading books on how someone went bankrupt will be a warning to you against repeating their mistakes. It decreases mistakes – When you gather the deep and wide wisdom that books can provide, you are less apt to make mistakes. You’ll discover surprises - As you read more books as a source of information, you’ll learn stuff you weren’t looking for. Since so many subjects intertwine it’s almost impossible not to learn something other than the book’s subject. It decreases boredom – you will become interested in the book’s subject and stop being bored. It can change your life – It could be the first step in your path of choosing your own life and being free of old habitual thought patterns. It reduces stress - Many avid readers unwind by reading. TV as a source of relaxation is too full of loud commercials and fast moving images. If relaxation is something you want, turn off the TV or computer and pick up a book.