Reading For Fun

Reading books. You may know it from such starring roles as “That Thing I Have To Do in English Class” and “What my Parents Are Always Telling Me to Do,” but I’m here today to convince you that much like garlic salt or Meryl Streep, books are a versatile and entertaining addition to everyday life. Their benefits are myriad, they’re cheap and easy to access, and they’re 100% guaranteed to make you a better writer. 

Let’s start by busting one of the biggest myths in reading: only the classics count. Not only is this false, but it discourages many people from trying out certain genres for fear of seeming childish or unrefined. While the classics definitely have a certain charm and are good for understanding literary foundations, outside reading should be, above all things, fun for the reader. So if Austen, Tolstoy, or Dickens aren’t your jam, don’t sweat it! Horror, sci-fi, fantasy, crime, or romance might be more to your taste, and there are amazing books in every genre. 

If you’re having a hard time figuring out what books to start with, try researching if a movie, TV show, or video game you do enjoy has a book counterpart. The Martian, World War Z, Bladerunner, and The Godfather all have book equivalents that provide a unique, often different perspective from the movie while still following the same basic story. 

Books are also relatively easy to access and have the benefit of being reusable. My recommendation is that you scope out thrift stores and local book sales (a big one is coming up at College Prep on March 24th at 10 o’clock AM). Not only will this allow you to get books for cheap or free, but you’ll also be minimizing waste and recycling books through the community. If you don’t like the book, you can donate it back. Additionally, the School’s library has a wonderful selection that is completely free to use and easy to return!

But what else can reading books do for you? Well, there’s one very necessary skill that reading always improves: writing! As we progress through school, writing is going to become more and more necessary for success. Beyond school, you’ll still have to write things like resumes, job applications, emails, and much more. Reading can expand vocabulary, help you identify grammar structures and tone, and generally make your writing flow or sound more polished. As you read, you’ll pick up on this stuff from what you read and naturally integrate it into your own writing. 

Hopefully, by now, you’re somewhat convinced. If not, that’s ok! Different forms of entertainment appeal to different people, and there’s nothing wrong with preferring Youtube or Netflix.