This Thursday 20 September, 2018 is Australian Reading Hour. We encourage you to take an hour of time out of your busy schedule to open a book and read, grow, escape, learn and relax. Read on your own or with a child, parent, partner or a friend. Rediscover the joys and benefits of reading!

In adults, reading has been shown to reduce stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk, or having a cup of tea!

Reading is closely linked to increasing our understanding of our own identities.

In children, reading has been shown to help with identity formation, setting them up for success in the future.

It was found by Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic & Social Research that reading to children six to seven days a week puts them almost a year ahead of those who are not being read to.

Here are some titles that Parramatta library staff will be reading tomorrow:

Transcription by Kate Atkinson (Jody)

The mystery of three quarters by Sophie Hannah (Yan)

Gardening on a shoestring: 100 ways to create a garden on a budget by Alex Mitchell (Nathan)

The Republic by Plato (Ali)

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola (Sharni)

All the pretty horses by Cormac McCarthy (Michael)

I hate never by Camilla Isley (Kate)

Educated by Tara Westover (Nisa)

Blind by Cath Weeks (Sarah P.)

Trying. Love, loose pants and the quest for a baby by H. Cossey (Sarah H.)