10 Letter Words with Six Vowels

10 Letter Words with Six Vowels

Are you a fan of the big 10? 

Below is a list of 10 letter words to boost your vocabulary. Read them Learn them and find out the meanings and synonyms to use on your writing, speaking and listening.

 

10 Letter Words With 6 Vowels

cassiopeia
chautauqua
courageous
ecuadorian
autologous
autoloader
autoimmune
alienation
ameliorate
aquamarine
asteraceae
auctioneer
audiophile
inaugurate
equational
equatorial
equilibria
equitation
euthanasia
evacuation
evaluation
evaluative
ideologies
inadequate
outrageous
audiotapes
auditioned
auditorium
auspicious
eigenvalue
equalities
initialise
initialize
initiation
ideologise
indianaite
palaeozoic
iniquitous
monoecious
obsequious
oceanarium
oleaginous
equivocate
ericaceous
eurocheque
eurovision
bioaerosol
autoguider
autoerotic
iodocasein
olivaceous
oniomaniac
oniscoidea
taeninidia
violaceous
loquacious
aeronautic
ubiquinone
audiometer
haematuria
radiolaria
aficionado
automation
automobile
automotive
autonomous
beaujolais
beautician
initiative
ionisation
ionization
isoleucine
mauritania
obituaries
orientalia
iniquities
inequities
reevaluate
autotomies
autotomise
deaquation
deliquiate
eliquidate
enicuridae
equinities
haliotidae
iconomania
idealities
audiencier
areologies
arecaceous
ubiquitous
univariate
aceraceous
aethalioid
acetonuria
aerologies
adequation
aedilities
alineation
aquicolous
The Average Number of Books Read per Year

The Average Number of Books Read per Year

Do you have a reading target each year or do you just pick a book randomly? I had a target of one book per week once upon a time. It went well for a few months I must say. I know..no excuses right? i must get back into hardcore eading habits. Warren Buffet himself spends hours per day reading: what is my excuse..or yours..lets stick with yours for now…

The average number of books read per year varies by country, with the United States at the top with an average of 17 books annually, followed closely by India (16 books) and the United Kingdom (15 books). Other countries with high averages include France (14 books) and Italy (13 books), while many other nations fall below seven books per year, with Afghanistan at the lowest with about 2.56 books   

Countries also rank differently when measured by hours spent reading per week, with IndiaThailand, and China leading in that metric, which may reflect differences in reading speed or book length

Based on recent data from 2024/2025, the United States and India lead in the average number of books read per year per person, with 17 and 16 books, respectively

Top countries by average books read per year
    • United States: 17 books
    • India: 16 books
    • United Kingdom: 15 books
    • France: 14 books
    • Italy: 13 books
    • Canada: 12 books
    • Russia: 11 books
    • Australia: 10 books
    • Spain: 9 books
    • Netherlands: 8 books

These statistics are generally derived from surveys and vary depending on the methodology, sample size, and type of books (print, e-book, audiobook) included. The United States , for example, has also shown a median number of 5 books read per year, indicating that a significant portion of the population reads far fewer books than the average suggests

Other countries
    • Switzerland: 6.9 books
    • Taiwan: 6.83 books
    • Belgium: 6.76 books
    • Singapore: 6.72 books
    • Hong Kong: 6.66 books
    • South Africa: 6.62 books
    • China: 6.61 books
    • Japan: 6.2 books
    • Afghanistan: 2.56 books

The Most-Read Books

The list of the most-read books of all time includes the Holy Bible as number one and the Holy Quran at number two. The Harry Potter Series, collections of quotes from The Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse Tung (former Communist China Party leader), and Lord of the Rings are several of the other most read books.

What factors contribute to high book reading rates in India, US and UK?

High book reading rates in India and the United States stem from a mix of robust cultural emphasis on education, high accessibility to reading materials (both physical and digital), and significant socioeconomic factors

India
  • Strong Emphasis on Education and Knowledge: Indian culture places a high value on learning and knowledge, which makes reading a common and popular leisure activity across all age groups. Schools often place high importance on cultivating a passion for books, with regular book festivals (like the Jaipur Literature Festival) and school book weeks.
  • Growing Middle Class and Literacy Rates: The expansion of the economy has led to a growing middle class with rising disposable incomes, who are more willing to invest in books and educational materials. Combined with consistently increasing national literacy rates, this creates a larger pool of potential readers.
  • Accessibility and Affordability: The rise of e-commerce platforms has made books more accessible, while the availability of cheap, easily accessible material, especially non-literary fiction, caters to a wide audience.
  • Diverse Literary Ecosystem: A rich cultural landscape drives demand for vernacular literature and supports local authors, ensuring a wide range of content is available to diverse demographics
United States
  • High Access and Availability: The U.S. benefits from widespread access to books through extensive library systems, major bookstores, and online retailers. The prevalence of e-readers and e-books further increases accessibility.
  • Educational System and Literacy: Historically, foundational laws mandated basic education, contributing to a culture of widespread literacy. While literacy challenges exist in some demographics, the overall educational infrastructure encourages reading from a young age, with a focus on literacy skills in schools and among parents.
  • Demand for Information and Entertainment: Americans seek information, entertainment, and distraction through books, with an increasing desire for comfort and understanding in uncertain times. The availability of diverse genres (fiction, non-fiction, history, mystery) caters to varied interests.
  • Strong Publishing Industry: A robust and competitive publishing industry ensures a constant flow of new titles, supported by a large market that can sustain demand for niche subjects and popular bestsellers
United Kingdom

High book reading rates in the UK (averaging 15 books per year per person) are driven by a combination of a strong foundational culture of literacy, high book accessibility, and government and charity-led initiatives

Key factors include:
  • Established Culture of Literacy: The UK has a long-standing emphasis on education and a very high overall literacy rate (around 99%). A strong historical appreciation for literature is embedded in the national culture, with books and reading often valued activities within the home environment from an early age.
  • Early Exposure to Books: Research consistently shows a significant link between children owning books at home and their likelihood of reading above their expected age level. Early exposure to books in the parental home establishes routines that enhance lifelong reading habits and cognitive competencies.
  • Extensive Public Library System: The UK has a widespread network of public and school libraries that provides easy and free access to a vast array of reading materials, catering to diverse interests and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Active Promotion of Reading for Pleasure: Numerous government initiatives and charities, such as the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, run campaigns and programs to promote reading for enjoyment. Events like World Book Day also help to maintain enthusiasm for reading across the population.
  • Robust Publishing Industry: The UK has a large and vibrant publishing sector that produces a constant flow of new, diverse titles across all genres, supported by major booksellers and online retailers, ensuring a wide variety of choices for readers.
  • Socioeconomic Factors: While socioeconomic disparities in reading habits exist, overall higher educational attainment and a large middle class with disposable income for book purchases contribute to the high national average

 

Survey methods for collecting data on book reading habits across countries

Data on book reading habits is primarily collected through surveys and data analytics from digital platforms, usually initiated by government organizations, industry associations, or market research companies. The methodologies vary by country, leading to challenges in international comparability

Common Survey Methods
The most common Data Survey methods include:
  • Personal Interviews: These are a dominant method, conducted either in-person or via telephone (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing – CATI). This approach is used by organizations like the Pew Research Center in the US.
  • Online Questionnaires: Web-based surveys are widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and reach. These often involve self-administered questionnaires.
  • Mixed-Mode Approaches: Combining different methods (e.g., phone and online surveys, or mail and web) helps researchers achieve better representation across diverse populations.
  • Time Use Surveys: These surveys ask individuals to report their activities within a specific 24-hour window, which can provide more detailed information on reading duration and reduce recall bias compared to general “how many books” questions. The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is a notable example
Data from Digital Platforms
Beyond traditional surveys, researchers also gather data through digital analytics:
  • E-reader Data: Data from e-reading devices (like Amazon Kindle) or library checkouts can offer insights, though this data is often proprietary and difficult to obtain for research purposes.
  • Social Media Platforms: Researchers have collected data from book-cataloging social media platforms like Goodreads by utilizing their APIs to analyze user-reported reading instances
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,
And Mourners to and fro
Kept treading – treading – till it seemed
That Sense was breaking through –
And when they all were seated,
A Service, like a Drum –
Kept beating – beating – till I thought
My mind was going numb –
And then I heard them lift a Box
And creak across my Soul
With those same Boots of Lead, again,
Then Space – began to toll,
As all the Heavens were a Bell,
And Being, but an Ear,
And I, and Silence, some strange Race,
Wrecked, solitary, here –
And then a Plank in Reason, broke,
And I dropped down, and down –
And hit a World, at every plunge,
And Finished knowing – then –
The Brain — is wider than the Sky

The Brain — is wider than the Sky

The Brain — is wider than the Sky —
For — put them side by side —
The one the other will contain
With ease — and You — beside —

The Brain is deeper than the sea —
For — hold them — Blue to Blue —
The one the other will absorb —
As Sponges — Buckets — do —

The Brain is just the weight of God —
For — Heft them — Pound for Pound —
And they will differ — if they do —
As Syllable from Sound —

Reading and the Brain

Reading and the Brain

Have you ever wondered how we recognise words when we read? Are you not fascinated as to how your brain scans, interprets and relates information to you through your eyes? The awesome brain is like your virtual assistant or secretary. In this article I am to discuss about reading and the brain.  Various sources have been referred to and are quoted for further reading. Lets Dive In.

Reading reshapes the brain through neural plasticity, creating and strengthening connections, particularly in language and visual areas. This process involves the brain repurposing areas for visual processing and language to recognize letters, sound out words, and understand meaning. Regular reading improves brain connectivity and function, while also offering benefits like stress reduction, improved focus, and memory enhancement

What reading does for the brain
  • Improves Brain Function: Reading is a form of mental stimulation that can improve memory and language skills, especially when done regularly.
  • Changes Brain Structure: As reading skills develop, the brain physically changes. Areas that weren’t previously used for reading become more activated, and neural pathways are strengthened through practice.
  • Enhances Vocabulary: Reading provides context for new words, helping you learn their usage more quickly than through simple memorization
What is the Brain

The brain is a complex organ that acts as the control center of the body, located inside the skull and protected by the cranium. It is part of the central nervous system, along with the spinal cord, and its main functions include processing sensory information, controlling thoughts, emotions, movement, and regulating vital processes like breathing and heart rate. The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells (neurons) and consists of three main parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem

How reading changes the brain

Repurposing brain areas: The brain is not pre-wired for reading; instead, it adapts areas for visual processing, language comprehension, and speech production.

Structural changes: Frequent reading can increase the size of areas like the temporal cortex, which is involved in language comprehension, and strengthen white matter tracts that connect language and visual processing centers.

Neural pathways: As a person learns to read, the brain creates specialized neural pathways, such as the “letterbox” (visual word form area), to process written words quickly and automatically.

Neuroplasticity: Reading actively exercises the brain, leading to enhanced neuroplasticity and a more adaptable neural network

 

How the brain learns to read
  1. Visual Recognition: You see letters and words, and the occipital lobe processes this visual input.
  2. Letter and Sound Mapping: The brain’s “letterbox” identifies the letters. This triggers activity in the parietal-temporal regions, which connects letters to their corresponding sounds.
  3. Meaning Connection: The brain links the sounds to the meaning of the word, a process that relies on networks for spoken language.
  4. Developing Fluency: Through practice, the brain creates a direct connection from the letterbox to the meaning area, allowing for faster processing and more fluent reading.
  5. Instruction’s Role: Explicitly teaching letter-sound correspondences (like systematic phonics) strengthens these neural pathways, making it easier for the brain to build these connections and improve reading skills
Brain regions involved in reading

Occipital Lobe: Initially processes visual information. As you read, it’s involved in recognizing letters and symbols, and the visual cortex here is active even in skilled readers.

Parietal-Temporal Regions: Crucial for decoding words. The parietal lobe helps segment words into their component sounds (phonological processing), while the temporal lobe connects sounds to the meaning of words, often linked with Wernicke’s area.

Frontal Lobe: The inferior frontal gyrus contains Broca’s area, which is important for the production of speech and can be used to “sound out” words.

Orthographic Processor (“Letterbox”): A region in the occipital-temporal area that becomes specialized for recognizing printed words. It stores information about a word’s spelling, pronunciation, and meaning

 

Health and cognitive benefits of reading
  • Mental stimulation: Reading keeps the brain active, which can help slow cognitive decline associated with aging.
  • Stress reduction: Engaging in a book can lower heart rate and ease muscle tension.
  • Improved focus: Regular reading can improve concentration and attention span.
  • Memory improvement: Reading has been linked to slowing memory deterioration and improving memory and thinking skills.
  • Vocabulary expansion: Reading is one of the most effective ways to learn new words
How Reading Improves Your intellect

How Reading Improves Your intellect

Reading improves your intellect by enhancing cognitive abilities like memory, focus, and critical thinking through the creation of new neural pathways. It also expands your vocabulary, boosts knowledge, and develops comprehension, allowing for better communication and a more nuanced understanding of the world. 

Cognitive and brain function
Strengthens brain connections: Reading creates new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones, improving your brain’s efficiency and processing power.

Boosts memory: As you follow plots and recall details, you create and strengthen memories, which improves both short-term and long-term memory functions.

Increases focus and concentration: Following a story requires sustained attention, which trains your brain to focus and improves your concentration over time.

Enhances critical thinking: Reading exposes you to new ideas and different perspectives, which stimulates your ability to analyze information and think critically

Knowledge and communication

Expands vocabulary: Exposure to a wide range of words in context naturally increases your vocabulary, leading to better verbal and written communication skills.

Increases knowledge: Each book you read adds to your general knowledge base, providing information on a vast number of subjects.

Improves comprehension: The act of processing information from text helps you better understand complex ideas and the main points of a text.

Imagination and empathy
Develops creativity and imagination: Reading allows your mind to visualize settings and characters, which stimulates imagination and creative thinking.

Builds empathy: Reading stories can activate the same parts of the brain used when understanding another person’s emotions, helping you to develop empathy.

The Power of Intellect

The Power of Intellect

The power of intellect is the ability to think, reason, and understand, which allows for problem-solving, innovation, and navigating complex situations. It involves using knowledge and logic to make considered decisions, acting as a crucial regulator that guides actions based on evaluation rather than mere impulse. This capacity for higher-order thinking and generalization enables abstract thought, the creation of complex ideas, and the ability to simplify complex problems

What is Intellect?

Intellect is the human ability to think, reason, understand, and acquire knowledge, especially at a high levelIt encompasses reasoning, abstraction, conceptualization, judgment, and critical thinking, allowing a person to discern truth and falsehood and solve complex problems. In a broader sense, a person with great intellectual power can be called an intellect. 

Definitions of Intellect
  • Intelllect is defined as the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract matter
  • a the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will the capacity for knowledge
  • b the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed.  Miriam Webster
    the ability to understand and to think in an intelligent way
  • Intellect is a faculty of the human mind that enables reasoning, abstraction, conceptualization, and judgment. Wikipedia

Understanding the Power of the Intellect

The mind generates thoughts—images, ideas, goals, and concepts. But the intellect discerns which of those thoughts are worth acting upon. If the mind is like a screen displaying possibilities, then the intellect is the “eye” that watches, assesses, and decides.

Unlike animals, human beings can reflect, evaluate, and refine ideas. This isn’t about academic intelligence. It’s about discernment, creativity, and the ability to simplify complex problems. Our greatest intellectual gift may be the ability to return complexity to its essence.

COTRUGLI BUSINESS SCHOOL

Key aspects of intellect
Mental faculty: 

It is the mind’s power to know and understand, distinct from the power to feel or will 

Higher-order thinking: 
It includes the capacity for rational thought, abstraction, and complex problem-solving that goes beyond immediate perception.
Knowledge acquisition:

It is the ability to think and acquire knowledge, often associated with intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking skills. 

Application: 

An intellect is a person possessing a high degree of this mental capacity. 

Lifelong development: 
Intellect can be developed and enhanced through education, experience, and reflection.

In psychology

The Structure of Intellect (SI) model organizes intellectual functions in three dimensions: (i) Operations, (ii) Contents, and (iii) Products.

A person’s intellectual understanding of reality derives from a conceptual model of reality based upon the perception and the cognition of the material world of reality. The conceptual model of mind is composed of the mental and emotional processes by which a person seeks, finds, and applies logical solutions to the problems of life.

Core functions of intellect
  • Problem-solving and innovation: Intellect provides the ability to identify challenges, analyze them critically, and devise creative solutions.
  • Discernment: It allows for the evaluation of thoughts and ideas generated by the mind, discerning which are worth pursuing.
  • Regulating impulses: Intellect serves as a regulator to control impulses and desires, leading to more thoughtful actions instead of impulsive ones.
  • Abstract reasoning: It is the faculty that allows humans to work with abstract terms, draw conclusions from assumptions, and generalize experiences.
  • Critical judgment: Intellect enables the discernment of truth and falsehood, as well as higher-order thinking beyond immediate perception. 

 

Developing intellect

Real-world experience: Real-world experience is crucial for intellectual development, as it provides understanding of reality and helps in learning to resolve life’s problems without being overwhelmed by emotion.

Acquiring knowledge: A factually accurate understanding of the world is a key component of a mature intellect.

Collaboration: The historical and modern norm for intellectual work is often collaboration, as seen in scientific and artistic endeavors, where people work together to create something.

How to cultivate intellectual power
  • Continuous learning: Engaging in self-education is an effective way to stimulate and nurture the intellect.
  • Creative outlets: Activities like writing, painting, or playing music can spark inspiration and enhance mental health.
  • Social connection: Forming connections with others who share your interests can be crucial for mental wellness. 

Reading and Intellect

Reading is strongly linked to intellect, as it enhances both fluid and crystallized intelligence by building knowledge and improving brain function through neural pathway development. It strengthens vocabulary and comprehension, increases problem-solving skills, and fosters emotional intelligence. While reading can improve intelligence, the ability to read itself is a separate skill from general intelligence, as some individuals with superior intellect may struggle with specific reading challenges like dyslexia

How reading improves intellect

Increases knowledge and vocabulary: Reading exposes you to new terms, ideas, and facts, increasing your crystallized intelligence.

Enhances problem-solving: It helps you detect patterns and make connections, boosting your fluid intelligence.

Develops the brain: Reading creates new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones, leading to clearer and more creative thinking.

Boosts emotional intelligence: Engaging with stories and characters helps you understand and manage emotions, leading to better social interactions.

Improves reading skills: It strengthens skills like phonological awareness, which is the ability to reason about the sounds in language, and improves reading speed and fluency

 

The relationship between reading and intelligence
  • Reading is a learned skill that relies on repurposing specific brain regions for processing language and recognizing letters.
  • Studies show that reading ability is a significant predictor of later intelligence, especially verbal intelligence.
  • However, some individuals with high general intelligence may face difficulties with reading, a condition known as a specific reading disability or dyslexia, demonstrating that reading ability and intelligence are not identical. 

    Research on Reading

    According to an article on the BigThink website,  Research shows that reading not only helps with fluid intelligence, but with reading comprehension and emotional intelligence as well.

    Click here to Read the article

    References

     – The paradoxical relationship between intelligence and reading disability

    P G Aaron

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4094867/

     – How reading rewires your brain for higher intelligence and empathy

    Derek Beres Bigthink

     – Cotrugli Business School

    Professor Mike George

    https://cotrugli.org/the-mind-and-intellect

    Friday by Theresa Ann Moore

    Friday by Theresa Ann Moore

    Friday is a day of the week
    That gives employment a break
    TGIF is an acronym for relief
    Releasing you from a mind ache

    Friday is a day that concludes
    Never again to be renewed
    ABC appropriately describes…
    It’s like gum that’s already been chewed

    Friday is a pause that offers
    A space that is temporally free
    It improves the current flow
    Whether you are AC and DC

    LOL and enjoy the weekend
    Breathe deep and smile
    Monday is two days away…
    So unwind your mind for awhile

    Thank God it’s Friday

    Thank God it’s Friday

    Monday, such a blah day, we’re all in a mood.
    Tuesday, things are better, but really, not that good.
    Wednesday, so called hump day, we are getting there.
    Thursday, “little Friday”, there’s a party in the air!

    Thank God it’s Friday! What took so long?
    Time to get crazy! A little wine and song.
    It’s time to party! The weekend is here.
    Fire up the charcoal, ice down the beer!
    Dancing until the dawn’s early light.
    Thank God it’s Friday! Bring on the night!

    Saturday, sleeping in, doing all the chores.
    Mow the lawn, rake the leaves, head out to the stores.
    Sunday’s here, time to rest. It never seems to last.
    Weekend’s gone, where did it go? Time goes so fast!

    Thank God it’s Friday! What took so long?
    Time to get crazy! A little wine and song.
    It’s time to party! The weekend is here.
    Fire up the charcoal, ice down the beer!
    Dancing until the dawn’s early light.
    Thank God it’s Friday! Bring on the night!

    Day by day we go through life, never to pretend.
    We are living everyday to get to the weekend!

    Thank God it’s Friday! What took so long?
    Time to get crazy! A little wine and song.
    It’s time to party! The weekend is here.
    Fire up the charcoal, ice down the beer!
    Dancing until the dawn’s early light.
    Thank God it’s Friday! Bring on the night!

    Friday’s at yours by Shannon

    Friday’s at yours by Shannon

    Friday’s at yours.
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    Whether we’re going out to the theatre
    Whether we stay in to watch movies
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    It always starts with tea and ends with a kiss
    and theres always a cuddle or three
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    You are my stormboy
    You are my light
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    You are all my favourite love songs
    You are the epitome of safety and fearless
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    Curled up, no matter where we go
    In your arms safe and calm and happy and
    free.
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    We laugh and kiss and look and love
    We discover new things about each other.
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    you play with my hair and I scratch your back
    and we kiss like nobody else exists
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    you walk me out in just your socks,
    kiss me tenderly,
    wave goodbye.
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    Going home, leaving you alone in your room
    kills me. all I wish is to fall asleep in your arms and
    not have to wake up
    alone
    Friday’s at yours are special to me
    i get home and we’re still talking
    talk until we fall asleep
    alone
    but happy
    Friday’s at yours are special to me