And while events to mark the day have been scaled down due to social distancing, it’s still a brilliant chance to take time out for yourself and bury your head in a good book.

Here are five reasons why reading a book is a brilliant way to pass the time.

• Escapism – Let’s face it, 2020 has been a year most of us would like to forget and what better way of doing that than losing yourself in a good book?
• Relaxation – Scrolling through phones or being glued to a screen isn’t a smart way to chill out. Immersing yourself in a good story is, plus it gives you time away from technology so your brain can slowly unwind.
• Cost – Charity shops are great places to bag a literary bargain. As are libraries where books are free, when they reopen again fully.
• Growth – Books can open the world to you by sharing stories from around the globe and from different people and life experiences.
• Versatile – Reading doesn’t necessarily have to involve paper books. With other options including comics, e-books and of course audiobooks.

The organisations behind National Read a Book Day want to get everyone enjoying reading, especially our younger generations in Sutton and Cheam.

So, here are four tips aimed at helping a younger audience develop a love of reading.

• Spend ten minutes a day starting on Sunday reading with your children or younger family members. Studies have shown this can have a hugely beneficial impact on children.
• Swap a half hour of screen time for a routine of reading with or to each other.
• Make it fun. Allow children to choose their favourite books to read before they settle down for the night. This will encourage them to read for enjoyment not just to study.
• Talk about the stories and books you are reading together. This helps children understand the stories more and is a great bonding exercise.

Our favourite stories at Henley Homes involve us helping our clients to move onto the next chapter of their lives.

What’s your favourite book and why?