So many times in my high school career, I’ve heard the following quotes:

“I only go into the library because the printer is in there and I wouldn’t go at all if that wasn’t the case.”

“I haven’t read a book since we had to do Reading Counts.”

“Reading is stupid.”

“Reading is a waste of time.”

People who just complain about having to read could take their energy they use on complaining and actually read a book. If someone doesn’t like to read, it’s because they haven’t found a genre or type of book they love. You read comic books? Great! You’re reading! You read biographies? Great! You’re reading! You read political pieces? Great! You’re reading! Audiobooks are amazing to those who love stories but struggle with reading or just prefer to hear a book read aloud.

The type of reading you do doesn’t matter as long as you’re reading. “I like to be informed. I read every day.  I don’t read novels, but I read articles on sports and education,” Mr. Tonsoni said. We are given assigned reading, which can be a drag, I disliked The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as much as the next guy, but teachers makes us take reading counts and give us assigned reading for a reason.

The reason is to expand your mind. Reading can take you to other worlds, different times, and different realities. Books of any kind make you fall in love, they break your heart, they make you laugh, and they can certainly make you cry. Authors poured their souls onto paper and they want you read it.

I read every day. I read while my computer loads, when I finish my homework, and when I have a minute to spare during passing period. I can read multiple books a day if I want because my love of reading is so vast. I’ve gotten in trouble for reading in class before. I love the feeling of getting to know new characters. It’s like meeting new people and making new friends. Ms. Lawton has chosen some very good quotes that I think should replace the above quotes:

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” said Ernest Hemingway.

“Reading takes you on the greatest adventures.” -Author Unknown.

Just ask Mrs. Tonsoni and the YA Literature class.  “Something amazing happened in YA Lit last semester.  A very diverse group of strangers walked in on the first day of school and a close-knit family developed over the course of our time together.  We bonded over our love of books and we grew to understand each other and our world better by discussing the books together.  It was unlike anything I have ever experienced in teaching.  We are already planning on having reunions and attending each other’s weddings.” Reading makes real friends. A few of my friends and I have bonded a lot over books. Abigail Kender and I dressed up in costumes to try to win an advanced copy of a book. We didn’t win, but we had a great time discussing how the characters dressed.

Not to mention that reading can improve your writing as well. Reading introduces you to new words and different concepts which can help your writing for any subject. It’s the same 26 letters rearranged many times and with a few symbols thrown in there. That is absolutely amazing.

Reading should be pushed more in high school. I want silent reading time, where everyone takes a book of their choosing and reads for twenty minutes. If you don’t like to read, struggle reading, or can’t find the time to read, give audiobooks a try. You can plug in your phone to your radio or stop by the public library and get the CD versions. Bring reading into your life; you won’t regret it.