
However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Shifting the Way We Read: From Prose to Poetry Every chapter of the Essence begins with at least one Sanskrit verse and ends with at least a pair of Tamil. We only include products that have been independently selected by Bustle's editorial team. Below, 18 books to read before bed that will help you relax and unwind at the end of a long day. If you have trouble falling asleep, reading can help you relax, but you probably want to look for a particular type of book - one that’s as calm as a cup of tea, and as soothing as a warm bath. Basically, you don’t want something that will make your heart beat faster, or a novel so gripping that you end up pulling an all-nighter just to get to the end (as we’ve all been guilty of doing). Suspenseful novels great, but if you read them before bed, they may keep you up all night - either because you’re too busy turning pages to count sheep, or because the climax leaves you with an adrenaline rush. The early Sangam literature, dated before 300 BCE, contain anthologies of various poets dealing with many aspects of life, including love, war, social values. If you haven’t had the pleasure of devouring them yet, we hope you appreciate our recommendation of the ultimate books you should read before you die below. The books on this list should have already been consumed by you. Of course, even if thrillers are your go-to reading material, it’s best to avoid books that aren’t exactly relaxing. If you are a book lover and if you’re visiting WhyToRead we’re presuming that you are. You can browse and comment on The 1,000 belowor join my ongoing conversation with fellow readers by adding your own favorites to The Next 1,000. So, if you’re looking to catch up on some Z’s, pick up a few of these books to read before bed. 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die is a personal library of lifetime reading, a compendium of engaging essays (snippets from which appear on this site) presenting insights and reflections gleaned from my life as a reader and bookseller.

Basically, reading makes you a better person - and it can also help you sleep. Studies show that cracking a book reduces stress, helps keep your memory sharp, and increases empathy. The list is mostly classics, so if you’re looking to beef up your library with something more zeitgeisty, they also released their most read Kindle and Audible books of 2017.Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale topped the Kindle fiction list, with The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck by Mark Manson taking top nonfiction honors.

We already know that a little bit of reading can improve your health.
