Summer Reading

Once the last bell of the school year rings, most students throw down their school bags and never pick up a book until the day school starts. If they are particularly unlucky, a couple weeks before school, they pick up a textbook so they can cram to get all of their summer work done.  Many students view reading as something to be done only during the school year, and even then they only complete it when it is assigned. These days, fewer and fewer people are checking out books from their local libraries, because reading is not “fun” for them.What these people do not understand is that reading does not have to be a chore. When somebody finds a book that they are interested in, they can find themselves in a completely new world, full of surprising twists and turns. All it takes is finding the right book.

 “When somebody finds a book that they are interested in, they can find themselves in a completely new world, full of surprising twists and turns.”

To find the right book, a person has to look at their interests. What kind of movies excite you? Are you the type of person who enjoys action movies with lots of fighting and machinery, or are you the type of person who is interested in dragons, werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural beings? Both of these types of movies have similar books that are available for reading. It is very easy to talk to a librarian or a friend about the types of books that you might be interested in.

There are biographies, fantasy, steampunk, realistic fiction, and many more varieties of books that contain information and stories on just about anything. Not all books are like the classics that you are forced to read in English class. There are books about topics that are relevant today, and that use today’s language to get their message across.

Not only does reading give people something to do during their free time, but it can also make you more intelligent. People who read books are more likely to get better grades and be more fluent speakers than those who do not. Reading broadens your vocabulary, and allows you to come up with more creative solutions to problems because of the wide array of stories you are exposed to. Reading does not necessarily mean that you are a nerd, but reading books can certainly help you become much smarter in the long run.

“People who read books are more likely to get better grades and be more fluent speakers than those who do not.”

Another issue that people have with books is that they are bulky and inefficient. However, books do not always have to be read on paper; some books do not even need to be “read” at all. There are many alternatives to reading a traditional book. Almost all smart phones and tablets have the ability to download e-books, and these can be read in places where a bulky book is impractical. Some libraries even have the ability to check out virtual books for people to read. Instead of checking out a hard copy of a book, and are loaning people electronic copies of books that expire on a certain due date.

This not only allows people to continue enjoying books on their tablets and smart phones, but it also eliminates waiting lists for popular books and makes it a lot easier to return books on time. But the convenience of books does not end there. There are some people who claim that they do not have the time to read. For people who are very busy and are always on the move, audiobooks can be a good choice. Audiobooks eliminate the need to carry around a physical book or tablet, and can be listened to while driving around in the car.

Books are tools that are used to get people to think about their own world, and can do everything from provide us with a good story to inspire us to change the world. The next time you see somebody outside reading a book, consider joining them. There are many benefits to reading, and (who knows!) you might even enjoy it.