Skip Your Weekly Jazzercism Class, this Work-out Will Blow Your Mind!

Do you know that feeling you get when you finish a good workout? You’re sweaty, stretched out, and all those dopamine receptors in your brain are firing off like crazy? Well, I finally get to feel the same thing. According to Time Magazine, reading functions as a “vigorous exercise” for the brain. So that means that by reading, I get to work out. Guess who isn’t going to the gym this week?

According to psychologists Raymond Mar and colleagues, in a 2009 study of how reading correlates with empathy, reading fiction is correlated with higher levels of empathy and openness to new ideas. Reading nonfiction is actually not correlated with higher levels of empathy. They theorize that reading fiction activates different areas of the brain, enabling people to see themselves in other’s shoes.

According again to The Times, reading complex and detailed material requires the brain to simulate different circumstances by drawing on the parts of the brain that would be used in similar situations in reality.

So, in summary, using your brain to read a book is like a full work-out, but with only a fraction of the sweat and without the need to throw on your favorite gym shorts or yoga pants. Don’t have time to read a book? Well then, pick up a copy of HFR, and read a few short stories. It’s a lot less work than a work-out. (hardeharhar)

- Philip LaMaster

TONIGHT: 21st Century Reading: DEPARTURE

Here we go folks! One hour until the greatest futuristic reading event of the holiday season. You can find the channel where we will be airing the reading here at 8 PM EASTERN. There may be an ad (or choice of ads) before each reader. Simply choose an ad and watch for five seconds until the Skip button appears, and then you can go straight to the reading. Check out our roster below, featuring a last minute addition: the one and only Emma Sovich! Please join us in the cyberworld come 8 PM for a fantastic reading of poetry and prose!

8 PM—Introduction by Sam Martone
8:10—Kelsey Ronan
8:20—Brandon Amico
8:30—Benjamin Goldberg
8:40—John Holliday
8:50—John James
9—Sandy Longhorn
9:10—Ruth Joffre
9:20—Ray McManus
9:30—Kelly Magee
9:40—Chelsea Biondolillo
9:50—Emma Sovich

21st Century Reading: DEPARTURE

Yes, it’s that time again. Time for a 21st Reading! To celebrate the release of Hayden’s Ferry Review’s 53rd issue, which is beautiful and features a departure theme, we’re broadcasting a reading across the entire internet featuring contributors from across the country!

Starting at 8 PM EASTERN TIME, our contributors will come to you through the magic of webcams and internal microphones, reading you their piece from Hayden’s Ferry Review 53, and in many cases, even more material! Check out the lineup below and stay tuned for details on how to access the reading tomorrow!

8 PM—Introduction by Sam Martone
8:10—Kelsey Ronan
8:20—Brandon Amico
8:30--Benjamin Goldberg
8:40--John Holliday
8:50—John James
9—Sandy Longhorn
9:10—Ruth Joffre
9:20—Ray McManus
9:30—Kelly Magee
9:40—Chelsea Biondolillo

21st Century Reading: TONIGHT!

Just a reminder that our 21st Century Reading, featuring readers of prose, poetry and translations from issue 52, begins tonight at 7 EST. Join us here when the time comes.

Reader schedule
(all times EASTERN, order subject to change):
7PM-Introduction by Sam Martone
7:10-Alexandra Teague
7:20-Lydia Ship
7:30-L.S. Klatt
7:40-Pireeni Sundaralingam
7:50-David Ryan
8-Daniel Riordan
8:10-Aparna Sanyal
8:20-Christopher Watkins
8:30-Bradley Harrison
8:40-Katy Chrisler
8:50-Max Somers
9-John A. Nieves
9:10-James Henry Knippen
9:20-Zana Previti
9:30-Suzanne Marie Hopcroft
9:40-Anna Rosen Guercio
9:50-Susan Lin

21st Century Reading: Issue 52

To celebrate the release of Hayden’s Ferry Review issue 52, we’re going to do another 21st Century Reading! That's right, a reading broadcast over the entire internet! The one we held for issue 51 was such a success, we could not resist giving you more of our lovely contributors reading more of their lovely words.

Across the country, contributors to issue 52 will read via web cam this coming Monday, May 13 starting at 7 o’clock Eastern time. The reading will last several hours, but since it’s online, you’ll be free to come and go as you please! So grab the popcorn, fix yourself a drink and prepare yourselves for another twenty-first century reading experience brought to you by Hayden’s Ferry Review! (Details of where to find the stream will be forthcoming. Stay tuned!)



Tentative reader schedule (all times EASTERN):
7PM-Introduction by Sam Martone
7:10-Alexandra Teague
7:20-Lydia Ship
7:30-L.S. Klatt
7:40-Pireeni Sundaralingam
7:50-David Ryan
8-Daniel Riordan
8:10-Aparna Sanyal
8:20-Christopher Watkins
8:30-Bradley Harrison
8:40-Katy Chrisler
8:50-Max Somers
9-John A. Nieves
9:10-James Henry Knippen
9:20-Zana Previti
9:30-Suzanne Marie Hopcroft
9:40-Anna Rosen Guercio
9:50-Susan Lin