The benefits of reading are many, but I recently had a unique experience that reinforced the value of being a bookworm. I live in a university dormitory with people from all around the world, including India, Japan, China, South Africa, and Turkey. While living with people from different cultures has many benefits, I have found that my love of reading has allowed me to connect with them in a special way. For example, I was able to communicate with my Indian friend through literature by Mahatma Gandhi and Tagore, with my Japanese dormmates through Haruki Murakami, with my Chinese dormmates through Confucius, and with my South African friend through Nelson Mandela.

These literary connections have helped to strengthen our relationships and have given us a lot to talk about. It's a kind of cultural exchange that I never would have experienced without reading. 

Of course, they know who Nazim Hikmet is from now on. Reading has given me a unique way to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I am grateful for that. 😉