Can Reading Make You Happier? via The New Yorker

I am on deadline for Library Journal and while this quarterly deadline is always a lot, I have been much better at managing the work load this year, but it is still overwhelming at times. It can make reading and writing about books feel like a chore during the 2 weeks stretch leading up to the deadline.

That being said, I love that my job pays me to read. But it isn't just me. We all know that there is truth to the fact that reading, especially fiction, leads to increased empathy. But are readers happier than nonreaders? 

I think so. And we see this in our patrons when we see how much joy they get out of a satisfying book. We harness that joy and happiness and use it to drive our work.

Recently, The New Yorker had this article entitled, "Can Reading Make You Happier?" (They allow free views on a limited number of articles per month).

It's a good reminder as to why we give over our professional lives to matching books with readers-- especially adults. It is an important job, one that can make people happier.

An interesting side note to go with this post, I had a meeting this week where talks of a more organized and scientific study of "the culture of reading" in general were discussed. There are people out there trying to quantify these things we see in our work, think we know from anecdotes, and turn them into fact.

But for now, start with The New Yorker article and get it posted to your websites and social media to share with your patrons. But add the important reminder that happiness is waiting on the shelf for them at the library, and that you are there to help them find it.