A single book can be a deep dive into a new world full of possibilities, whether it’s riveting fiction, a captivating thriller, or any other genre. Books, like people, are all unique in their own way. While a book is composed of its pages and cover, the true story within is what matters most—how the reader interprets it and the feelings it evokes.
A love of books has no age requirement, and the earlier you start, the more you can expand your mind. Books help you escape into a new world of characters, gripping plots, and unexpected twists.
Freshman Sabina Lobozzo shares her urge to continue her literary journey through books. Her current read is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Even though this is a reread for Lobozzo, she finds it more interesting the second time around. “I think I noticed more details the second time,” Lobozzo said. She gravitates toward psychological thrillers and adventure books.
One of the main aspects of reading that Lobozzo enjoys most is the challenge that books offer. Her usual resource for books is the Libby app, a popular platform for accessing e-books. Mobile apps like Libby are beneficial for readers without immediate access to libraries or physical books, allowing anyone to carry a library in their pocket. For Lobozzo, reading helps her relax and de-stress.
“Even though it’s on my phone, it makes me feel like I’m not. So I read before I go to sleep or if I’m bored,” Lobozzo said.
In 2023, 46% of Americans did not finish a single book, and 51% read only one book during the year. Finding the book or genre that fits you can take time, which may require ample patience.
Librarian Mr. Costello encourages both students and himself to dive into books and broaden their knowledge. Currently, Costello is reading two books: Spirit Sleuths by Gail Jarrow and Misbelief by Dan Ariely. Both of these books are in his current genre fascination of “disinformation and misinformation of society.”
“So what I’ve been trying to do recently was to understand how this happens?” Costello said. “Why do people believe things that are not true?”
Costello explained that Misbelief explores the prompt, “What makes rational people believe irrational things?” Meanwhile, Spirit Sleuths focuses on debunking supernatural beliefs, tying back to his interest in disinformation.
Senior Charieon Doxley is currently reading Out Of The Fire by Andrea Contos. The story follows four girls who are anonymously blackmailed and must work together to uncover the culprit. While Doxley typically doesn’t read mysteries or thrillers, she decided to try something new.
“I’d say for the past two years I liked romance, maybe before that I was more interested in the mystery and thriller genre,” Doxley said.
English teacher Ms. Bonsky is reading God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Bonsky says she gravitated towards the book because it is a highly rated thriller. Bonsky is an avid user of online books. If a hard copy is not your thing, there are many books online to dive into.
“I mostly go to Goodreads, which is an app, and I see what book is highly rated for the genres that I like,” Bonsky said.
Each author incorporates their own spin and style into the books they create. Each story has a different progression, character development, surprises, puzzles, and more. Books provide unique experiences separate from other forms of media.
Reading is essential for the growth of individuals and society. With countless books available in print and online, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Books inspire creativity, foster critical thinking, and encourage readers to explore new ideas. No matter your preferences, there is always a book out there to fit anyone’s literary tastes.
