When I was little, I used to hate to read, just like every other person who could ever call themselves a child. Pick up a book and sit still? No way, I'd rather run around like a chicken with my head cut off. But when I started discovering books that I actually enjoyed (not like that boring stuff they feed us in school-"The Awakening" being a prime example) I realized that reading is actually an essential part to being a well-rounded person.
There are obviously some books that I enjoy more than others. I think the first book that I ever read and absolutely fell in love with was "The Outsiders" by S.E Hinton. Part of the reason I liked it so much, I think, was because I always had the aspiration to be a young writer. S.E Hinton wrote "The Outsiders" for a high school project, and then had it published. This was highly encouraging to me; I thought, "Well maybe I don't have to wait until I'm fifty to publish a book then! Maybe I can do it now!" Sadly, I have yet to accomplish this goal, but I am keeping my eyes on the stars and my feet on the ground. Someday soon, hopefully, my name will be on one of those books I am encouraging you to take a look at in the library or your local bookstore.
Some other pieces that I really enjoyed were: the "Harry Potter" series of course, "The Hunger Games", "Little Women", "Water for Elephants", "Eragon" series (also written by a high-schooler), "Looking for Alaska", and I am currently working on "The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho. In my current position, I have a predicament. There are a lot of things I need to read; reading is one of the best ways to expand your imagination and better your writing, but I simply do not have time to read for pleasure anymore. If you are having the same problem, here is what I suggest: read when you would normally go on Facebook. Read when you are sitting waiting for the bus. Read when you are eating lunch or dinner, instead of watching TV. Believe me, it is much, much healthier for you mentally to read than to browse the web, and nothing exciting ever happens on Facebook anymore anyways.
This is a challenge. It is hard for me. But reading is so, so good for you. When you are reading a book you love, it takes away all of the worries of the day. It expands your mind and whisks you away to a place where nothing has a deadline, you don't have to go to work every day or do your homework. For that short amount of time, all you have to do is listen and observe. It can be relaxing, if done at the right time. And there is no need to feel guilty when you are reading instead of washing the dishes, or composing a Tweet. Of course, I'm not saying to completely remove yourself from your daily obligations. Those are also essential to living a healthy, productive lifestyle. But don't be so dependent on things that didn't even exist ten years ago (aka iPhone, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Pretty Little Liars, etc.). READ A BOOK. Please!
Did you know that with the making of the Internet, everyone became their own publisher? Everyone that has access to the Internet can now post and publish their own works, and people will read them. So where is the need for people who used to be publishers? Where is the need for professional writers, as they used to be, when everyone can make their own story and someone is bound to read it? People's jobs, their lifestyles, lay in the hands of some folks who know it is easier to go on the Internet and read a blog (like this one), or watch TV rather than pick up a brand new, freshly printed book off the shelves and dive in. Too much effort. Waste of my time. Nothing's getting done.
Not true. Not a waste of time at all.
I realize I am being a bit of a hypocrite, writing this blog and then telling people to read rather than post things on the Internet and make others lose their jobs. I am just as much at fault for obsessive social media tinkering as everyone else. I don't pretend to know everything. All I am suggesting is that the next time you have the urge to post a new Facebook status about your day, don't. Pick up a book instead. It's good for you.
Who knows what will be waiting inside...
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