Welcome to Current Events Conversation, where each week we round up some of our favorite responses to one of our student writing prompts.
“Every book you have is a story of who you are and who you were when you acquired it. And who you became when you read it,” writes Roger Rosenblatt in the guest essay “Before You Toss That Book ….”
He explores the deep emotional ties we have to the physical objects on our shelves, calling his books “houses,” “teachers” and “companions” that transport, comfort and transform him.
We asked teenagers: What do books and reading mean to you?
They shared a range of perspectives, from those who see books as an “escape” or a “portal” to other worlds, to those who view reading as a “chore” or a “tool” for school. They also wrote about the stories that have shaped them and the books they would recommend to anyone.
Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation this week, including students from Valley Stream North High School in Valley Stream, N.Y., and St. Peter High School in St. Peter, Minn.
Please note: Comments have been edited and condensed.
For many students, books are a “portal” to escape from the stress of real life.
I love books. I’ve always loved books. To me, books are a portal to another planet, a refreshing escape from reality. I know that seems strange to non-readers, but no matter how I’m feeling — happy, exhausted, overwhelmed — there’s always a book to fit the mood.
If life is a hike, then books would be the rest points in between. For me, diving into a book after a tiring school day is like catching my breath after a laborious uphill climb. It’s stopping and calming my mind for a moment.
I’d call books “escape routes.” Whenever life feels stressful or boring, picking up a book helps me and other people “escape life” and picture themselves in the setting on the book. They’ve helped me relax, learn new things, and understand people better, all without ever leaving my room. Books give me a break and a place of comfort which is why they’ve always felt like my go-to way out during stressful times.
Where some people feel like movies are a whole experience in itself, I feel like books are. Reading a new book is my favorite thing ever and it opens my eyes to possibilities and stories. Reading, I would say, is transformative.
Some view books as “anchors” or “mirrors” that help them understand who they are.
I’d describe the role books have played in my life as anchors. I really connected to Rosenblatt’s idea that “every book you have is a story of who you are and who you were when you acquired it,” because that feels true for me. Certain books mark specific moments in my life — stressful school years, times when I needed comfort, or moments when I was trying to understand the world better. Like anchors, books keep me grounded. Even when everything feels chaotic, opening a book gives me a sense of stability.
I used to run a library out of my house with library cards that my closest friends still bring up. From Junie B Jones and Hermonie Granger to Katniss Everdeen and Beatrice Prior — I love how every book I pick up transports me into the character’s world. I enjoy learning about new characters’ lives and encouraging them on throughout their story line. Beyond that, reading has been a way for me to figure out my own self. I learn from the mistakes of characters and read between the lines to develop my own sets of values.
— Elie, Glenbard West High School
I am not a reader, but when I do, I need to connect to and/or find a memory with the books. I personally feel that books allow you to express yourself through the stories of others and they provide you knowledge in a way that best fits toward your interests. A few words that I would use to describe the role books hold in my life would be a “mirror of self-reflection.”
The wide collection of books I currently own have bits and pieces of myself tucked away into the stories. It feels as though I have a book shelf in my mind holding each book but, rather than the actual story, it’s the girl I was before and after reading them. The idea of getting rid of my books feels like I wouldn’t be able to find those versions of myself again.
And some see books as “tools” or “teachers” that expand their worlds.
Books have always been more like tools for me than anything else. I don’t read for fun very often, but reading has still shaped me in ways I didn’t fully notice until I got older. Even when I wasn’t excited about reading, the books I was exposed to when I was younger helped me understand the world better. They taught me lessons, showed me different perspectives, and pushed my imagination.
I have become more fascinated with nature and science as I got older, reading books about trees, insects, wildlife and flowers. Books mean knowledge to me, and a way to see different view points.
— Josh, Glenbard West High School
Books are a place for us to escape the confinements of reality, but they can also be a way to open our eyes — to see more layers in the world we live in. Because then suddenly, a bully is not a jerk, but an insecure human being who is feeling so much pain and has so little support that they need to project their inner turmoil onto another person — a person who they long to be. Books have opened my eyes to see a world with more depth and complexity, far greater than my own life.
I personally do not like to read and it’s not really a passion I like. I do although believe that if my mom had not read to me as much as she did as a kid, I wouldn’t be who I am today. The books she read to me taught me morals, showed me new perspectives and increased my creativity and imagination.
— Chloe, Valley Stream North High School
Others said school assignments — and digital distractions — have, unfortunately, made reading feel like a “chore.”
I don’t read books unless they are for school or I find one I really enjoy. I think that books help people build their knowledge. Sometimes if I find a book I really connect and relate to, I will read it, but I do not have the attention span to sit down and read books.
The word I would use to describe the role books have played in my life is “faded.” I chose this word because I do not read as much as I used to when I was younger, and now, books make me feel like I have to stay in the story in order to pay attention. As the word faded highlights how much I used to like books versus how I only read books now for school.
“Books are houses. Once inside, you’re transformed, and you become the house you entered.” Personally, I am not the biggest fan of books. I have a lonely book banished to the corner of my room. Scarcely do I even flicker my gaze toward the heap of paper. This quote resonates with me because the way I feel about music and albums is quite similar. Music to me is like a blanket on a cold night. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I plop in both my earbuds. Suddenly, I’m transferred into a new galaxy.
I have found books boring ever since 5th grade when I actually had to read them for school. It sucked the joy out of the hobby. I do feel very strongly though about things like videos and video games. I feel that I can get more info and understanding out of a video than out of a book. I also use videos if I actually want to understand something. I only use books to cite as sources. I also feel that a good video game is more immersive than a book could ever be.
Several shared the stories that have shaped them.
I have many bookcases cascading with children’s books. One specific shelf carries so many that it’s starting to bend. All of the books on this shelf are the Magic Tree Houses. When you open one of these books, no matter where it is, it takes you to the ends of the earth. These books raised me and shaped who I became.
One book that represents the idea of becoming someone new after reading it is “The Outsiders” because it made me think more about perspective and empathy than I expected from a school novel.
— Ethan, Canyon High School, Anaheim, California
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins immediately rushes to my mind. The first time I ever read this book, I was 12 years old; the world was in a shutdown due to Covid-19. I was passing the time by playing down by the creek beneath my house; the forest similar to that in “The Hunger Games.” At this point in time, I was an adventurous spirit who spent most of my time alone, similar to Katniss. As I read the book, I slowly evolved into Katniss. I would immerse myself in the pages and could see myself in every word. Each time I read this book (3 times in one week at that), Katniss and I merged into one. I had made my own bow and arrow from sticks and yarn, and pretended to fend off opponents while listening to the movie’s soundtrack. I didn’t just read the words on the page, I became them.
“Little Women” was that book for me, the one that completely redefined my thoughts on the importance of women and the one that taught me most about my own self importance.
— Anna Paula, Montclair High School
Seeing books from my childhood brings back memories of when my parents would read me bedtime stories. I feel the need to hold onto all of these books to keep the memories with me, such as the book “Love You Forever.” That book holds memories that will forever be irreplaceable.
Another book that has shaped me is the Bible. It leads me with God’s ways and shows me what it means to be a good Christian and person. Reading makes me feel calm and helps me see what it is like from another perspective.
When I was younger, I loved graphic novels; I was obsessed with them. Each book I could get my hands on, I would hold close to myself, raving about the story to my mom and replicating the art style in doodles during class. One that I especially loved was “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier. As an oldest child, I felt so connected to Telgemeier’s depiction of her younger self, specifically concerning her relationship with her little sister.
I can often be found reading online. Not ebooks. Fanfiction. Many argue that fanfiction can’t be considered real literature, but if it tells a story, however distasteful or childish you may think that story is, it still is literature. Fanfiction is a place for people to express their ideas on how a story should’ve gone or, really, just a creative hub for teenagers and adults alike.
My favorite story ever is the Korean web novel “Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.” It was the most engaging and wonderful story I have ever read. The imagery was strong, the world-building was astounding, the character development was phenomenal, the themes were beautiful, and most importantly, the childish joy it brought me was blissful.
— Matthew, Montclair High School
And they recommended the books they think everyone should read.
If I could recommend one book to anyone, it would be “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah. This book is especially important to me because it changed the way I viewed reading as a whole — instead of being a chore, I began to see it as a fun way to take a break from whatever was going on in my life. Beyond that, however, this memoir specifically taught me about both the importance of one’s identity and the danger of losing it. The novel details Trevor’s life in South Africa during apartheid as a mixed kid and how his biracial identity affects his interactions with others and how he is seen by them. It’s a great read, and I hope whoever reads it understands the importance of connecting with others despite one’s differences, especially under systems of oppression like apartheid.
If I could put one book in the hands of someone, I would give them “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte. I would hope that they understand the importance of self-respect, and to love yourself.
— Isabella, Valley Stream North
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker. I would recommend that book to anyone I know because I believe it can teach empathy and that is one of the most important things to take out of a book and through interactions in general.
I would recommend “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury as his themes of addiction, censorship, and government control have some connections to our society now. I would hope that the reader would start to spend less time on technology and more time asking questions and learning new things.
If I could share a book with someone, it would be “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio, because I hope it inspires kindness and understanding in whoever reads it, helping them see the world through someone else’s eyes.
— N, NY
If I were to choose one book that would become an ambassador to the people around me it would be “Holding Up the Universe,” by Jennifer Niven. I first read this book during the summer of freshman year and I recommended it to my friends around me. While emerging yourself in this book, the reader gets two perspectives of high school students who are struggling with different things. Growing up in my household, my parents pushed the idea of being nice to everyone because you don’t know others’ struggles and home life. As I get older, I realize that everyone struggles with something, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not. We are made up of the past experiences, the relationships, the words we have been told and received, the actions we chose to take or reject, regrets, mistakes, and the love we spread to impact others’ lives. This book reminds you that every person you meet will have an opinion on you, but the opinion that truly matters is the one you make of yourself.
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