Books are a common item in school. So much so that people tend to push them under the rug and roll their eyes when they get a reading assignment in English class. Being forced to read in school can cause someone to stop reading altogether, especially if it’s boring or just not interesting. What most students don’t know is how impactful reading can be and how life-changing books can become.
“Books are so powerful because not only do they carry knowledge, but they carry perspective. They show different sites of the world and are distinct to who’s writing them,” said senior Sammi Easmeil.
Books are a way for people to essentially pour their souls and beliefs into words without actually speaking. Forming characters, settings, and conflicts are all deep dives into a writer’s mind.
“Books are so powerful because they offer a new version of reality. Books can teach us about our past or potential future, they also allow an escape into universes beyond our wildest dreams,” said senior Samantha Brown.
Books have a specific theme they try to convey to the reader and usually some kind of life lesson.
“‘A Thousand Boy Kisses’ by Tille Cole puts life into perspective and how you never know what day is your last and what is going to happen,” said senior Luci Elmquist.
But why do people start reading? Having the patience to pick up a book and get all the way through it can be challenging.
“I was always interested in books but I had always struggled with reading. Until one of my past teachers really got me into a genre I liked and I just kept reading from there,” said Elmquist. “She also trades books with me and that makes me want to keep reading.”
Books can also be a great way to increase your self-confidence.
“The book that changed my life was a fiction book written by Julia Quinn of the Bridgerton series, ‘Romancing Mr. Bridgerton’. While that’s super popular on Netflix now, and I am a huge fan, the books got me first. That book in particular helped me with my self-esteem, because at the time I was struggling with body dysmorphia. That book helped me love my body again no matter what it looked like,” said Esmeil.
Reading can be a life-long hobby.
“I’d say ‘Unwind’ by Neal Shusterman changed my life because it was the book that sparked my interest in reading. I found that being a reader has made taking tests and writing a lot easier. It also gave me a productive hobby instead of just scrolling my phone,” said Brown.
