As a homeschool student, books were my best friend throughout my childhood. I initially HATED reading (as many of us did), until my mum tricked me into reading the Harry Potter series at age 8. I was hooked after the first paragraph, and I haven’t stopped reading since. Books are a wonderful source of entertainment all the time, but specifically when you’re trying to detox from all of the media and screens around you.
Influential books for me include the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, and The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. They all have one common theme that’s stood out to me: empowerment.
Hermione kicked butt in the Harry Potter series, and sexist views were defied. It was also my introduction to the wonderful world of the written word.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story inspires people to look beyond the temporary sad thoughts and see all the beauty in the world with Vizzini’s story of his time in the psych ward on suicide watch. I found this extremely helpful my freshman year of high school; it was my first time at public school and terribly overwhelming. Sadly, Vizzini committed suicide in December of 2013, and I am still unclear on how to process it, to be honest.
The War of Art is focused around defying “Resistance” (procrastination) and releasing the artistic abilities inside of yourself. This book is one that gave me an intense wake up call to everything I could be doing, that I wasn’t doing. Since reading it, I’ve enrolled here at De Anza, and am looking into different internships and jobs within the field I’m interested in.
I’ve gone back and re-read each of these books at LEAST 3 times, and get more out of them each time.
It can be really hard for me to keep reading as I get busier and busier. I’ll admit to falling into dry spells where I won’t read for a month or so, and damn, those months weigh the heaviest on me. Regardless, books are one of my favorite forms of mass media.
"Grass is greener on the other side" I thought my reading of books would have been the best but you mentioned those books which are truly fabulous. I wonder that I should have mentioned these books!!! Good Taste Katie!
ReplyDeleteI like your comment about books being a form of detox from the rest of the media. Funny, it's the oldest of the mass media too.
ReplyDeleteI always get funny looks when i admit i've never read Harry Potter. Yes, i said it! I've never read Harry Potter. I might succumb to peer pressure and eventually read it, or at least watch the movie but all of these books i've heard incredible things about so i think it's safe to say your recommendations are in good taste.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that Harry Potter really got you into reading! I remember reading those books at a young age and feeling really proud of myself for it. I also love to read books to get away from digital media-that's why I'm so resistant to e-books. I definitely will have to check out "It's Kind of a Funny Story" because it sounds interesting and controversial.
ReplyDeleteI can completely agree with you when reading was seen as this horrible chore as a child. I only started liking books when I found a good series to read just like you did when you found the Harry Potter series. I'm so glad you were heavily intrigued by that series because sadly I never got hooked like you did- they seem like great books to read though!
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