What gifts do stories give us? There have been many studies on how readers benefit, and those are easy to look up. Stories have given me so many things through the years. I truly think they are a gift.

Stories have allowed me to experience different worlds and lives. There aren't many genres I won't read. One I like almost as much as fantasy is historical fiction. Is it always completely accurate? Of course not. Authors only know about times long past through archaeology and sometimes written records, like with Ancient Rome. Some cultures we know a lot about and can make more accurate than others. Still, I enjoy walking streets that no longer exist, dealing with life struggles we can relate to, but look a bit different in the past. In many ways, I relate better to people in the past going through winters, as we live rural and have similar concerns, for example.

Do I want to try a new career, at least for a little while? How about being a Samurai, or a pirate, or maybe a Gladiatrix? Do I want to sail to new lands with my crew, or perhaps I'm an ancient priestess to a long forgotten religion? Perhaps I'm now an astronaut seeking new worlds, or a mage learning to control my powers. A well written story will make it feel real.

The more we experience in life, the more understanding and empathy we tend to have. In real life, the more friends we have from other cultures, the more open to other cultures we tend to be. The same thing is found for people who read a variety of books.

I love reading books by authors from other cultures. It's a way to travel and see the myths that formed their world view. I can see through their descriptions what their buildings look like, taste the food, and smell life in a new way. Even if it's a fantasy world, parts of the author's life will sneak through. 

The next time you pick up a book, take a moment and remember how much reading is a gift. For much of time, most people couldn't read. Enjoy every moment!