Ask someone what their favorite rainy day activity is and most will respond with “a cup of tea and a good book,” (until Netflix gained popularity, that is). Even with the rise of technology and resources available, reading has held on and even embraced (via e-readers) the digital world we live in.

There is so much to be gained by a healthy relationship with reading and writing: a good vocabulary, lower stress levels, better ability to focus, improved creativity, countless worlds to get lost in amidst the pressures of our everyday lives, the list goes on and on. Books offer an escape unlike no other, they let the reader know that they are not alone in anything they are feeling, someone else has been there too, they bring people together.

Bringing together over 40,000 book lovers of all ages is one of the largest literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival in Austin. This festival features over 250 nationally recognized authors, more than 20 venues including the State Capitol, 80+ exhibitors, live music,  food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. The 2016 Texas Book Festival will be held November 5-6. The festival runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, it is free and open to the public. Nick Offerman, Hannah Hart, and T.C. Boyle are just a few authors that will be in attendance.

For more information on the Texas Book Festival, please visit www.texasbookfestival.org and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @texasbookfest. Use the hashtag #txbookfest

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Two Texas authors currently making a name for themselves are Tara Ross and Nancy Motley.

Ross, a Dallas native, is an expert on the electoral college with multiple books on the topic, children’s book We Elect a President: The Story of Our Electoral College and adult book Enlightened Democracy: The Case for the Electoral College, which will help readers understand the Electoral College, its purpose, and remarkable history. Both books are perfect to brush up on your understanding of our election process before the big vote.

Motley, a Houston local, wrote Talk, Read, Talk, Write (Second Edition): A Practical Routine for Learning in All Content Areas (K-12), which is an approach to classroom instruction that helps students meet and exceed the state standards for learning in core classes while also developing the literacy skills needed for success in the 21st Century.

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With never-ending stories and genres, there are books out there for everyone. Don’t let that 10th grade summer reading assignment scare you away from Fahrenheit 451, and don’t rely on  movies to share the magic of Harry Potter. Opt for a paperback instead of that extra episode of Stranger Things or spend time reading a book before bed instead of scrolling on your phone. Read fan fiction online about your favorite tv show or movie, or even better, write your own. Incorporating reading and writing into everyday life is easier than you think.

To leave you with a fantastic quote (from yes, a book), “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin