“The reason I didn’t read so much back in Stockton is ‘cause I figured I was too busy living my own life. Why would I read about different characters’ lives all the time when I had a damn life of my own... But now I know it doesn’t matter. You maybe even get more from a book if you have a life of your own, ‘cause you can relate.” – Miguel, We Were Here
Why do we read books? To escape reality? To learn about different worlds, whether fantasy or real? To pass time? To learn something? Or simply for entertainment?
I personally read books for many different reasons, but all books are an escape for me. Reading is an activity I can do alone and just relax and escape the ‘real’ world. When I read I don’t have to think about that midterm paper deadline, or law school applications. I can just escape into the world the author created. Through reading I have escaped into worlds like Harry Potter’s wizard world, Melinda’s silent world (Speak), Briony’s World War II (Atonement) and even Miguel’s world of living on your own. I also read books to learn about real world events, I have read books about a woman living in oppression in Iran, a man entering into the Jihad in Afghanistan and Claudette Colvin’s civil rights movement.
Whatever your reason is for reading, I am sure it is a good one, and it’s just good that we all are reading (even if it’s just because we have to for class). Reading is one of the best ways to learn about something new, even if the something new is fantasy. Reading improves our lives and helps us advance in our understanding of the world around. So for whatever reason you chose – read as many books as you can!
- Jessica Cervenka
I usually read to pass time and each time I get sucked into different lives, times, or worlds. I find it amazing how authors use words to depict stories making you feel as if you're actually there. I totally agree that reading, even fantasy is a good way to learn about something new. It opens your mind and gives you different outlooks on situations.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted something about this part of the book. I completely agree that reading is one of the best forms of escape. It opens up our world to all these possibilities we never could imagine, yet anyone who can read has the opportunity to experience that same journey and they may find a completely different meaning. when i read that quote from the novel i really had to stop and think about the reasons i love reading.
ReplyDeleteI also like noticing what Miguel chooses to read and how he chooses to read it. Those classic novels that so many teens like to shun: for Miguel they are stories that speak to his life, even in unlikely ways, from THE COLOR PURPLE to CATCHER IN THE RYE. I like how he speaks back to those stories as well, challenging and critiquing characters like Holden. I wish we could have more discussions in school that resemble the ways Miguel talked to and about his reading. Maybe if we did, more teens would take up reading.
ReplyDeleteJess I totally agree! I love reading as a form of escape. This weekend I got to finish one of my all-time favorite series from when I was like 12 (Pendragon) and it was the most amazing feeling to watch my troubles seem to drift away with every page. Books become a way to slip away from our own reality, and engage in another person's reality. That is why I think books like this, that highlight marginalized characters or simply someone from a different background is so important. If you truly escape into this other world, you can see a completely different point of view.
ReplyDeleteYes! I really like this. And I love that Matt de la Pena had this in the book. I love reading about books in books because it always makes me want to read more!
ReplyDeleteAlisa Richter
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteI remember taking a reading survey last year in my school and someone asked whether it had to be book and the teacher said no and I think it turned out that more people read non-fiction rather than fiction for fun. I know this is true for me. I just like to read to find out about the world. I think that an educated person has more power around his/her surrounding. Non-fiction can help you do things like get the best bang for your buck or help relive a problem. I think that reading non-fiction has become especially popular since the arrival of the internet because its so easy to find it now. I think it’s important to think about why people read all genres.
---Amer Rasheed
Oh yes! Reading is a great form of escape and I love it!
ReplyDelete