Reading books | Austin Macauley Publishers

Share the Love of Books This International Book Giving Day

Books are the key to comprehending the world that surrounds us. Whether it’s enchanting tales by Dr. Seus, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, or history books for that matter, there is always something to be learned from them. As we grow older, it is crucial for us to be able to access these stories to study as well as to fantasize and evolve. Yet, many kids are not privileged enough to have books, or some may not be as inclined to read as their peers do. This is what led to the creation of International Book Giving Day.

International Book Giving Day was initially originated in the United Kingdom and it is now celebrated across the globe. It takes place on February 14th and is a way of encouraging the love of reading and books in children. This is a fantastic initiative that everyone can participate in. The participants do this by sharing their most loved stories and gifting the books to others. All you need to do is gift a book to a child, as simple as that. There are numerous ways you can participate in this project, so do your bit and get involved in any possible way you can.

If you are you considering donating some of your books, then there are several ways you can do this on International Book Giving Day.

Donate Your Books to the Free Little Library

Have you ever seen a birdhouse stuffed with books? Well, these are Free Little Libraries! These are libraries where you can get the book you want to read and then, in return, give the book back in exchange for it to be in their stock. There are numerous of them situated in public areas found in cities and towns across the world.

Take Part in Book Collection and Recycling Programs

There are many other international and local programs that you can contribute to. These programs give books to people who lack access to library services or locations to purchase books. The suggested programs by the organizers include Room to Read, The Book Bus, and First Book.

Give it to Someone That You Already Know

Do you want to opt for something more personal? If yes, then the best way to do that is to encourage your family members and friends to read, learn and experience a whole new world that the books offer. Share the books you love and indulge in a healthy discussion surrounding the themes. This will enable them to discover things and make them more enthusiastic about reading.

Take Part in Activities Proposed by International Book Giving Day

Visit the How To Page on the #BookGivingDay website and discover how you can become a book-giver. There are a lot of great ideas as well as beautifully illustrated bookplates and bookmarks on their website that you can download.

Our Recommendations For Young Readers:

Reading is a great way for kids to be entertained and expand the realms of their imagination, boost creativity, improve their understanding of culture, and aid in language development and learning. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the suggested books that you can share with the little ones.

Into the Arabian Sea, Hessa the Hawksbill Turtle

This book is designed to teach kids, in a playful way, about the many dangers that hawksbill turtles face as they begin their journey towards the ocean. Let’s follow Hessa, an endangered hawksbill hatchling, as she fights her journey from her nest towards the sea on Abu Dhabi’s nesting beaches. Can Hessa find a way to figure out all the mysteries to get to the new home she’s been searching for? Grab a copy to find out.

Visiting the Feelings Doctor

This book tells the story of Luke, who had a hard time coping with the big changes happening in his life. He moved to a new country and started a new school, and all these changes made him sad and angry.

We all go through moments in life when we feel a little down. In such dire times, a visit to a psychologist can do wonders for children and their families to deal with such issues. This story aims to remove the stigma surrounding therapy.

Adam’s First Day at School

The first day of school can be super exciting but also nerve-wracking at the same time. In this book, the readers get to meet Adam and follow him on his journey as he looks forward to his first day at school. He is eager to make new friends and meet his teachers. What will he learn in his first lesson? Grab a copy to find out more.

Dream Land

When they are in Dream Land, Shamma and her buddy Dana meet a fairy named Ilah, who gives them a tour of her home. Ilah nudges the two girls to wake up, and they all head for a walk in the park. The brewing storm continues to calm down, and Shamma is amazed. This colourful read will captivate the hearts of young readers.

Larry the Leprechaun

In this delightful read, the readers are introduced to Larry the Leprechaun, who is the most cunning of all leprechauns on Farmer Murphy’s farm. He has a big crock of gold and is the only leprechaun yet to be caught by a human. However, Farmer Murphy’s daughter, Joan, who was searching for his crock of gold, eventually captures him. But will she get it, or will Larry outwit her? Get a copy now to find out more.

The Mysterious Creatures

This fascinating story revolves around an interesting and peculiar adventure that a boy lives through this book. We must warn you to read this book with caution because you may never know who will come to you for a surprise visit!

To The Circus Lights

To see the circus in town, triplets Marlee, Danny and George woke up early. After deciding to go and see the circus, a thrilling adventure unfolds every step of their way. Attracted by the multitude of circus performers and animals, the spectacle is now over, and it’s time to get back. With their mother waiting for them to come to return for tea, what will they do to return to their home?

We hope that you enjoyed reading about our suggested titles. Book lovers around the world love this holiday. It’s a time for sharing your passion for books with others, particularly children who may not have the same access to books as you have. It’s not a mere coincidence that this day happens to be on the same day as Valentine’s Day — after all, #BookGivingDay is about two things: the love we share for books and fellow beings.

We always aim to provide our readers with quality content. If you’ve been searching for some of the best Arabic books for kids, then check out these suggested titles. Stay connected with Austin Macauley on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates.

10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day

Reading is arguably the most important ability one can have in the modern world. Each book you read opens up a portal of new information for you. Every time you read a book, your imagination gets a boost, and you learn something new. When you regularly start reading books, your critical thinking and analytical skills improve and somewhere along the way, you discover something fascinating about yourself. Well, if you are a person who doesn’t like reading books, you’re missing out on something that could change your life for good.

In this blog, we will look at some of the benefits of reading books. Hopefully, it will benefit you and motivate you to read more.

1. Reading Makes You Smarter, Sharper, and More Creative

Reading books makes you smarter. Through reading, you can understand topics that are of interest to you. Reading books ignites the imagination of the reader. They get introduced to fictional worlds, historical settings, and intriguing characters that stay on with them for a long time. Once you read regularly, it can become a hobby, and it eventually helps you understand yourself better. You start to understand the people around you, the society you live in, and the different aspects of life in a better way.

2. Improves Memory

Our mind is a machine that can learn, comprehend, and process so many thoughts at a given time. Reading is a fundamental skill needed to function in society. It improves memory because when we read, we compel the brain to get used to remembering characters, facts, details or situations. It won’t be wrong to say that reading is, indeed, a great mental exercise.

3. Lowers Stress level

In life, there are times when stress gets the better of you. Whether it’s work-related stress or any other worry, reading books helps you melt down your stress level. Reading is one of the fastest ways to relax your brain. Whenever you feel like you can’t handle stress, reading a gripping novel would be the perfect answer to it. Reading books will transport you into another world, leaving you stress-free and happy.

4. Builds Your Vocabulary Skills

By reading more and more, you get introduced to new vocabulary. There are so many words in the dictionary that you can only comprehend if you are an avid reader. It makes you a skilled conversationalist. You get to convey your feelings and emotions and understand the other person’s words in a better way. With an increased vocabulary, you will become a better communicator.

5. Brings a Positive Impact on Mental Health

Snuggling up a captivating read can do wonders for your mental health. It relieves you from mental worries and anxieties, fully immersing you in the magical world of books. Losing yourself in books is the ultimate remedy for mental problems. According to many types of research, people who read regularly are less likely to develop severe brain diseases in old age, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Reading improves Compassion and Empathy

Reading books on different people, their struggles and setbacks, and their journeys can help mould your personality. You tend to get more emphatic and compassionate towards others. By reading books, you understand the pain and worries of the people in the book. You can better relate to those who are different from you. Books offer us a gateway to a magical place, ready to engulf us into its surreal world. Believe it or not, but even one book can change your mind and outlook for good.

7. Boosts Your Writing Ability

Just like reading improves your vocabulary, it also improves your writing ability. With every book you read, you learn a different style of writing. Well-written books are the catalyst to emulating a proficient writing methodology because you subconsciously get influenced by it. It’s a fact that you can’t deny. The more you read, the better your writing eventually becomes. Apart from enhancing your writing capabilities, it enhances your analytical skills, critical thinking, and decision making.

8. Upgrades Your General Knowledge

If you want to increase your general knowledge and be neck and neck with the most influential people in the world, you need to be a reader. Reading books helps you become aware of unknown topics, enabling you to hold a conversation with anyone. It improves your general knowledge that can be pretty useful when squirming your way through the challenges of life. Apart from that, a well-read person also gives off positive vibes to the other person, making them more desirable and appreciated.

9. Helps You to Relax

Reading is the ultimate de-stressor for you. It can help you unwind and bring a night of sound sleep. In addition to reducing stress levels, it brings inner peace and tranquillity. Reading spiritual and calming books can have a positive impact on your stress levels as it reduces blood pressure and anxiety. Reading is also a potent mood booster. So whenever you need a great sleep, it’s best to take out your favourite book and give it a read before you slumber.

10. Stimulates the Brain

Reading books stimulates the brain by forcing it to think and concentrate on the pieces of information you have in front of you. Just like dumbbells are needed for a physical workout, books are a tool to cultivate the mind. When you’re reading, you train your mind to become sharper, processing more information with each passing second. In turn, it improves your memory and analytical thinking.

You see, there’s a book for every person out there. Whether your taste lies in poetry, historical fiction or romance novels, you are bound to find a book that captures your attention and ignites your imagination.

So, take a break from the screen for a while. Get yourself a book, and bask in the mesmerizing feeling of reading a book.

If you want to connect with Austin Macauley Publishers, follow us on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you aspire to become an author, share your work with us by clicking submit. You can also send it to us by filling our Online Submission Form.

Are Audiobooks as Good as ‘Reading Books’?

Audiobooks are versions of books, that are meant for the ears instead of the eyes. Wait, what? Well, the idea of not reading a book might sound a little less familiar, but familiarity is growing with time. More and more audio versions are being made available. Comparing audiobooks and paperbacks can make us look into the bright and dark sides of both. One is about listening and the other about reading.

Books have traditionally been associated with sitting down in some leisure time and reading your favourite kind of book. Audiobooks appear to be more convenient; since many of us struggle to have the time to develop a consistent reading habit. . Audiobooks, definitely are an innovation, designed to cater for our fast-running routines where we prefer digital media and movies over reading in our free time. This innovation, however, genuinely provokes the question of what is superior and more valued; audiobooks or reading?

Audiobooks for Adults; Accessibility

They are perfectly designed to provide an experience to blind or visually impaired people, ensuring that everyone has access to books.

Audiobooks: Learning Languages

Audiobooks are helpful for those who understand a language but cannot read written text. This utility comes in two ways; they can listen to a book and secondly, they can also learn to read gradually by holding the book in front of them whilst the narrator reads the book aloud.

Audiobooks are also a good tool to help introduce children to different languages. Since children learn to speak from scratch, their learning can be enhanced by listening to audiobooks. While there are numerous ways to teach/learn a language, audiobooks have an edge for communicating the accent and pronunciation very delicately. This also applies to the learning of all languages and accents.

Audiobooks for Children

Audiobooks are a great way of getting children to learn new stories and new skills. Some children do not want to sit down with a book sometimes, audiobooks are a great way introduce new books to them in a different and engaging way.

Audiobooks Vs Reading

It will not be a very good idea to weigh audiobooks and reading against each other. We cannot cancel reading for listening; since both are essential skills. We should take advantage of all technologies. Likewise, we can welcome audiobooks and can take benefit from them. Reading is one remarkable brain exercise, which aligns and sharpens our focus and allows us to look for details. It strengthens insightfulness.

Audiobooks are more fun when it comes to fiction. Since they strengthen the traditional practice of storytelling, audiobooks are a tech-inspired solution for our nostalgia of olden golden times. However, for non-fiction, reading is always a better idea because non-fiction, academic books require more attentive energy. When we read, we can understand more clearly and are more receptive to ideas. We can also use both reading and audiobooks in combination. First, we can read difficult texts and then listen to the same, just to affirm and reinforce our prior knowledge.

Audiobooks are just a more refined, tech-driven version of the old school stories or the bed-time stories used to amuse children. Now, the difference is that we have audios of a range of books, and not just children’s books. Audiobooks are not a replacement for reading. They are a luxury; something you can have as an addition to your basic survival kit. To say that listening is the new reading, will sound more like a flawed assertion. We should not seek to replace one with another, rather a better idea would be to let audiobooks and reading co-exist.

Stay connected with Austin Macauley and be the first one to hear about our new releases by following us on facebook, twitter and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us and make your dream of becoming a published author come true.

Speed Reading

Reading is considered as the important things in our life and it is necessary to be proficient in it. Reading forms 80-90 percent of the culture that we gain. The progress level of the nations is related to the cultural level.

To develop ourselves, we should care more about reading for all the members of the family. Sometimes people feel bored from reading, so we suggest you learn the technique of speed reading, but first, let see the definition of this technique.

Speed Reading is a technique for reading texts at an extremely rapid rate with adequate comprehension. Gathering information is something all humans do naturally. So it’s only natural that once we learn to read, we want to start doing it faster so we can gather and absorb more information.

Speed Reading is seeing

The first step in reading anything is seeing the words. But how do you see words on the page when you read? Prior to the 1920s, researchers believed that people read one word at a time. To read, they thought, you moved your eyes left to right across the page, taking in one word after the other. Under this theory, fast readers were people who could identify and recognize words faster.

However, all but beginning readers have the ability to see and read more than one word at a time. As you move your eyes across the page, you jump ahead in fits and starts, taking in from one to five words at a time in quick glances, and the concept of how to speed read was founded in the First World War when the British air force discovered that there was some aircraft navigator couldn’t recognize the German aircraft forms from a proper distance.

How to improve your Speed Reading?

Avoid distractions.
Read a simple novel or article.
Cover words that you’ve already read this help you not to go back to the previous words.
Know what you want from the text. To know what exactly you want to form the text (determined the specific point).
Practice, practice, practice.

What is the benefit of Speed Reading?

Collect as much information as possible in a short time.
To keep up with the new progress of any field of science or art.
Increase the reading level per year.
Increase the ability of concentration of the reader.
Develop your creativity.

Excellent speed reading involves practice and retraining yourself, as well as learning to focus more on what is in front of you and avoiding distractions.

Tag: Reading