Books have been around for thousands of years, yet reading has been in decline for the past decade. Reading is overlooked, as people fail to understand its importance and impact on society. Students are required to take at least one English class for every year of high school, which typically requires reading. At first, students may dread this, but once they grant reading an opportunity, it can change their lives.
The surge in screen time has played a big role in the decline of reading. It is considered boring and often a waste of time, when in reality, it can be beneficial in many areas, including building social connections.
“More people should read,” freshman Maxime Conquet said. “It can lead to great conversations between people.”
Another area where reading can be beneficial for a person is their overall literacy and proficiency in the English language.
“I think reading is important because it progresses your language fluency, expands your vocabulary and fosters your creativity, especially with novels,” sophomore Dea Krasniqi said.
While not every required reading or book is engrossing for all students, there will always be a book fit for each person’s interests. Plenty of books required in English classes highlight a certain population or group’s experience and culture, which can help certain students connect with their own identities.
“My favorite required book for English was ‘Night’ because it teaches about the Holocaust,” senior Thomas Scanlon said. “I think people don’t realize how bad it actually was for Jewish people. This book has made me more passionate about my culture.”
When students are assigned a book or a reading, they might postpone reading it or find a way to excel in the class without having to. However, giving that book a chance might encourage them to explore more and become avid readers, even if they used to find it tedious.
“My favorite required English book was ‘Lord of the Flies.’ Because it is short, it is an easy read,” senior Francesca Lisbino said. “It was one of the few books I actually read for school, and it actually got me into classical literature.”
Reading does not have to be a time-consuming activity. A few minutes or pages a day can make a huge difference.
“I try to read at least every day, especially before going to bed,” Krasniqi said.
Books can also be a medium for students to inform themselves about the world around them. Books frequently contain messages, social criticisms about society and what needs to be changed, which can shape a student’s perspective on the world.
“If I could suggest a book to be required, I would suggest ‘Animal Farm,’” Lisbino said. “We have already read a George Orwell book, ‘1984,’ but I think ‘Animal Farm’ is better and it should be explored more. It is reflective of today’s political state.”
Reading can open doors for students, and while they might not enjoy every single book from their English class, they can certainly find at least one that captivates them. Encouraging students to read and find a way to make even the most boring books interesting can have a positive impact on the world.
