Good news for readers! We’re just two days away from the announcement of the 2013 Cybils Award finalists–eleven fantastic shortlists in categories ranging from Book Apps to Young Adult Fiction, carefully read and judged by enthusiastic teams of volunteer bloggers from around the kidlitosphere: teachers, librarians, readers, authors, and more. I, for one, cannot wait to begin reading the finalists for YA Fiction, where I’m a Round 2 judge this year. Meanwhile, Tanita is just finishing up her exhausting responsibilities as a Round 1 judge in YA Spec Fic. We are big Cybils fans around here, but even more than that, we’re fans of quality books for young readers (and older readers who love the younger readers AND their books). So stay tuned and visit the Cybils blog on New Year’s Day for the announcement of shortlists. (And if you’ve got any shortlist predictions you’re just dying to share, feel free to leave a comment and speculate away!)
One more bit of good news for readers–but this won’t surprise you, I’m sure. Of course reading is good for your brain, but now science has confirmed it: reading a gripping novel boosts your brain function FOR DAYS after you’re done reading. Check out the article, and then next time someone accuses you of constantly having your nose in a book, you can quietly and smugly rejoice in the fact that you’re making your brain happy while they foolishly court senility!
I smiled when I heard the bit about brainpower being boosted after reading a novel. That means that mine is pretty much always on overdrive, but maybe I have to be careful if I'm in a fiction break, because I'll feel dumber than usual??
I can't wait to see the Cybils lists. I am proud of our MG fiction list this year, and I'm sure the others will be great, too.
Wow, that's a really interesting article! It's not surprising that reading affects the brain in this way, but it is surprising that the effect lasts so long.
I can't wait until the finalist announcement tomorrow! We've got some great selections and I can't wait to share them with the world!
Jennifer: YES! I also wonder if there are effects after reading other types of materials, e.g. nonfiction…
Sheila: I'm excited about this year's announcements–as I am every year. As a blogger it really feels good to be able to plug wonderful books as a group and give kudos more publicly!
I look forward to the results! Cool about reading a fast-paced novel and brain power. I wonder if writing one has the same effect.
Sharon! Great question! I know I learn a lot in general when I'm writing (or I feel like I do)–clearly there's a lot of potential research still to be done in this area. 🙂