Reading. Some embrace it, while others scoff at the word. Despite varying opinions, reading has been proven to be beneficial in multitudes of ways. Similar to how physical activity helps the body, reading is a strengthening exercise for the mind. Keeping all the characters and information straight as well as trying to grasp and guess plots enhances memory and analytical thinking skills. Better vocabulary and writing as well as improved concentration arise out of reading too. There are many other reasons reading is good, but a big deciding factor in getting people to choose to read is the free entertainment it brings.

Reading isn’t just some boring, only-for-school ritual where students rush through a book, look up SparkNotes, or dreadfully take annotations. Many teens have negative connotations of reading whether they come from not being read to as a kid, hating the books teachers pick for class, or seeing it as time to be spent doing other fun things.

However, that is not the case for PV seniors Kara Lindhoff and Kaitlyn Evans. Lindhoff explains, “I like to read because you get to live someone else’s life and take a break from any problems or stress you are dealing with in your own life. It’s kinda like when you’re little and you play with Barbies or baby dolls and get to pretend that you are someone else.”

Evans expresses, “I love reading because it’s very relaxing to me and helps me to escape the everyday stresses in my life. Sitting down and pulling out a book means using imagination and jumping into another world.”

One problem many readers face is finding the time to read. Many feel SSR is too short a time period to really get engrossed in a book. Lindhoff says, “I like to read whenever I get a chance. I read a lot at night because it makes me tired and I can usually fall asleep right after. I think the best time to read, though, is when you can read a book from start to finish in one sitting.”

Change can be difficult, but it is often for the best. If reading is something that you’ve never done or enjoyed, go to the library, take time to pick out a book where interest is present, and give it a chance. There are many different kinds of genres available, including dystopian fiction, street lit, romance, mysteries, classics, poetry, drama, and others. Not everyone will fall completely in love with reading or want to join a book club, but many will be surprised to find they actually had a good time getting into a book. Remember, reading is not just a “nerd” or “quiet people” thing; it’s an engaging way to relax and have fun for everyone to try.

Carissa McDonald,  the PV high school librarian, comments, “I didn’t always make reading a priority as a teen, either. I was a very busy student and really stopped reading for pleasure from about middle school through early high school. Then, I realized I was going to college and wanted to be a halfway interesting adult–I should probably get back into reading. Once I sort of forced myself to do this, I reconnected with my love of reading. When students say they hate to read, this can mean many things, but what it often means is that they just haven’t found the right things to read. I can help with that!”