Stories Bookshop is hosting an event for Australian Reading Hour with local author Stephen Dando-Collins.
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Mr Dando-Collins will be discussing his latest book, Heroes of Hamel, as well as the importance of reading.
His first reason for encouraging reading is simple: “If people didn’t read, I wouldn’t have a job,” he said.
However, he is enthusiastic about the benefits of engaging with literature, for adults as well as children.
“Have you got a favourite book on your bookshelf you haven't read in years?” he said. “Go back to it, pick it up again. I’m going back into Catch-22 at the moment, I have these amazing memories of the Catch-22 world that I’d really like to go back and revisit.”
Mr Dando-Collins writes both children’s series and books for adults, and said it was a family member who sparked his own love of the written word.
“I had a great-aunt to who I’m everlastingly grateful, who would give me books, and only books, for Christmas and birthday presents,” he said. “It always helps when there’s a member of the family to put books in kids hands.”
Mr Dando-Collins will be speaking at 2.30pm, Thursday September 20, free.
BENEFITS OF READING
- · Reading reduces stress by 68 per cent, relieving stress more quickly than listening to music, going for a walk or having a cup of tea.
- · Reading a gripping novel causes positive biological changes in the brain that can last for days.
- · When tested for empathy, readers of narrative fiction achieved significantly higher than other groups.