For more than 10 years Library, Learning and Archive Services have been building up a 'reading for pleasure' collection at both our Docklands and Stratford Libraries.
Studies have shown that reading for pleasure can be beneficial to educational studies, as well as personal development, even alleviating loneliness (Rane-Szostak and Herth, 1995).
It has also been shown that reading for pleasure can improve the academic achievement of college students, where individuals who undertake recreational reading could develop, "the ability for sustained attention and concentration necessary for academic success" (Gallik,1999).
Above all, reading stories about other people, places, cultures and even worlds, can expand our understanding of difference and build connections. Perhaps it is best put like this:
"The best moments in reading are when you come across something–a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things–which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours." – Alan Bennett, The History Boys
So take some time out from your studies and dive into our huge assortment of fiction!
References
Rane-Szostak, D. and Herth, K. (1995) 'Pleasure reading, other activities and loneliness in later life', Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 39(2), pp.100-108. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40034518
Gallik, J. (1999) 'Do they read for pleasure? Recreational reading habits of college students' - Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 42(6), pp. 480-488. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40014062
If you have a recommendation for the Relax With A Book collection, please email library@uel.ac.uk where we will be happy to hear your suggestions. Please put the word 'Relax' into the subject field, so it can directed to the appropriate person.