From book clubs to locally owned bookstores, reading is alive and well in our community. National data shows a decline in leisure reading across the United States, but local bookstore owners say that is not the case here at home.  

  Reading for pleasure has many benefits.  Reading is vital for emotional and social development. It contributes to our overall well being promoting mental clarity and reading can help reduce stress. Regular reading helps prevent cognitive decline and can slow memory loss by up to 32% later in life. It is not just important for students, but for everyone to continue their literary journey. Adults who stop reading can lose a vital way to reflect, recharge and grow. It is also important for children to read outside of school, to help with their imagination. 

  The love for reading continues in our community with that Lake Erie Literary Festival at Frontier Park. It's a chance to celebrate story telling with the whole family. There will be a free book giveaway, live readings, performances and interactive workshops.