There’s one thing nobody tells you when you graduate college: you have more free time. Without homework and an excessive number of extracurricular activities, you can actually go home after work and be bored. Instead of watching the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race for the third time, try picking up a book. Yes, in college the idea of reading a book for fun was comedic, but you’re done with college, and you’re not reading textbooks, so it’s time to start using your brain again.

Here are 10 reasons you need to start reading more books.

1. Fiction is awesome 

So much of what we read in college is dry, academic nonfiction. If that’s what floats your boat, awesome! Keep reading. If not, try picking up something a little simpler and more imaginative.

2. Reading makes subway commutes less miserable 

Subway commutes make you want to cry. While you can peruse FB, twitter, and Insta, how long does that actually take you? 5 minutes? 10 minutes TOPS. Instead of repeatedly refreshing your newsfeed, make your commute more tolerable by shoving a novel in your face.

3. You’ll get more references 
If you have FOMO, then you really need to start reading. So many cultural references go over your head if you don’t read. How can you go to a Gatsby-themed party if you’ve never read the book? 

4. Smart is sexy 

Nothing is sexier than smarts, and what’s the one thing all smart people have in common? They are voracious readers. 

5. Great way to alleviate anxiety 

Books are a gift from God to anxious people. If you have circular thought patterns and have troubling breaking that obsessive thought cycle, (AKA being in your twenties), then you definitely need to read a book. And make sure it’s a funny one.  

6. Reading alleviates boredom and loneliness

Post college life can get a little lonely. Friends no longer live down the hall. After a full day's work, you might not have enough energy to go out and socialize. Instead of going home and twiddling your thumbs, try getting lost in a good book.

7. You could find a man at the library 

Imagine telling that adorable how-we-met story to your kids.

8. Reading is an easy way to challenge yourself 

The brain atrophies. If you don’t use it, you lose it. After college, we often feel that our brain is rotting because we aren’t stimulating it enough. Reading keeps your brain from deteriorating.

9. You can become one of those annoying people who say the book is better than the movie 

Yes, those people are annoying. BUT, they are always right. Book > movie.

10. You can read outside 

It's the perfect way to take advantage of being outside without doing anything active. Reading in the park, at the beach, or anywhere is better than watching TV inside all day.