Reading for Fun

Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood.

–John Green

As an English major and future English teacher, it’s no secret that I love to read. However, that doesn’t mean I’ve loved every book I’ve ever read. Some books I can’t put down and others are a struggle to finish. I think this is true for everyone. There are some books that just grab your attention more than others, and perhaps “help you feel understood.” With the amount of technology in today’s society, it’s important to encourage students to read, especially reading for fun.

This summer, I took a grad school course in Young Adult Literature. Although I am now considered out of the range of young adults, I truly believe that these books should be read by all, and at any age. The life lessons about friendship, love, responsibility, and coming of age are universal experiences, and anyone reading them can find comfort in what the characters are going through. These books spread the messages that you are not alone, and if you’re going through a difficult time, it will get better. How could anyone not identify with one of these things?

I grew up reading Harry Potter, then moved on to the Twilight series in high school, and in college I read The Hunger Games and Divergent trilogies. Even though these were not assigned reading, I would have discussions about them with my friends because we identified with the characters and what they were going through. These were the books I couldn’t put down, and most of the people around me agreed. I’ve heard multiple people say that one of these series was the first time they had read a book in years, so that’s why it is paramount that we encourage students to read these books.

One of the most important things to realize is that YA books can serve as stepping stones for students to read the “classics.” Bella Swan, the main character in Twilight enjoys reading Wuthering Heights, and in Paper Towns by John Green, Margo Roth Speigelman leads Quentin Jacobsen to a copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. A student reading these books might be interested in these works and decide to read them on their own time.

Just because a book doesn’t have stellar reviews doesn’t mean that students should be discouraged from reading it. Graphic novels and even movies based on books are a great way to grab students’ attention. The goal is to make students enjoy reading, so why start them with something they may not find interesting? As with most things in life, it’s important to start somewhere and work your way up. I can’t say enough about YA novels and their ability to make reading fun, while also sparking a lifelong interest in books.

For more quotes about books click here: 50 most inspiring quotes about books and reading

Colleen M.

Boston Tutoring Services