Reading as an Escape (A Health Storylines Challenge)

Hello everyone! So we’re heading into fall, time for cozy sweaters, tea and just staying snug inside when it gets too cold. So one of my favorite things about fall is that so many books get released. Books are an excellent way to distract yourself from pain or any other variety of symptoms you may be feeling. And there are plenty of different ways to enjoy them now. Regular books, Ebooks and don’t forget audio books those are pretty helpful when your head hurts and you still want to find out what happens next in the book you’re reading.

And reading does have health and mental benefits so it’s not all about reading being a distraction. These benefits include, possibly fighting against developing Alzheimer’s Disease, it can help you relax and could help you fall asleep at night. Reading regularly can also expand your vocabulary and improve focus and concentration.

And besides reading is just plain fun, maybe it’s not so much a distraction but an escape. When you’re reading a good book the world disappears and you are the character. And you’re free for a little while, free from some of the constraints of your body and the frustrations of it. Reading has got me through a lot of things in my life and I’m grateful for it.

So I challenge you to use the free Health Storylines app to log your symptoms and mood, then pick up a book, snuggle in with a nice cup of tea and get reading. When you’re done reading you could also use the Journal function of the app to jot down your mood again and if it improved or not. Also keep track of your symptoms again as well.

And for those feeling a bit more adventurous, try picking out a book that you might not usually consider reading. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or nonfiction; just give something new a try.  Even I’m giving something new a try, today I ordered a book I wouldn’t usually read, It’ll be here on Tuesday but I’m hoping it’ll be here sooner.

Now I’ll show you guys what’s in my to be read pile maybe you guys will want to read it too.

1.    Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

I haven't finished this book yet, but it's pretty good so far. The beginning was a little flimsy to me, like she wasn't entirely sure how to start the story. By chapter two though, the story is pretty solid from then on. 

2.    Ink by Alice Broadway

 Every action, every deed, every significant moment is tattooed on your skin for ever. When Leora's father dies, she is determined to see her father remembered forever. She knows he deserves to have all his tattoos removed and made into a Skin Book to stand as a record of his good life. But when she discovers that his ink has been edited and his book is incomplete, she wonders whether she ever knew him at all.

This is a super interesting world and the story is amazing so far, though I haven't finished this book yet either. Honestly I wouldn't mind if it was acceptable to have our lives tattooed on us. This is definitely a story that just grabs you and demands you to read it. 

3.    EmberIn The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
 
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

(I’m actually on the third book of this series, I just wanted you guys to see the first book so there wouldn’t be any spoilers J)

Show or tell me what you're reading for this challenge on social media! Make sure you use #sshealthchallenge

Happy reading everyone!

And if you want to register for your free Health Storylines account click here. Then go to your app store, download the app and sign in, it's as easy as that.

I’m not a medical professional, and reading isn’t a substitute for proper medicine and medical care. Synopsizes come from Goodreads. 

I'm not sponsored by the authors or publishers of these books.