Books Change Lives!
The coming of the World Book Day made me reflect on what exactly reading means to me. And it means a lot. I am a living example of a person whose life would be much poorer without books. It was surprising to realise how much books have influenced both my character and my choices.
First of all, I would never have thought about going to a boarding school, had I not been fascinated by Harry Potter stories ever since I was little. I read them under my desk in elementary school in Poland – there was no possible way that the teacher didn’t see it, but she mercifully pretended not to notice anything. She supported my passion for reading and even let me run a book review section in the monthly school paper. When I was about 9, I released my own Harry Potter themed newsletter – that was probably the moment when writing became one of my favourite pastimes.
A noteworthy fact is that reading enhances your vocabulary, grammar, and fluidity in writing. As you read different authors, you observe their distinct styles and improve your own literacy, so whether you’re thinking of becoming an author some day or just gaining better grades in your English class, immersing yourself in good literature is crucial.
The second important influence was the American book series about Judy Moody. My resemblance to her struck me only recently, when I was re-reading the chapter in which she dug through the rubbish bins to uncover her own family’s ‘crummy recycling habits’. (Sixth formers who know me will recognise my own fanatical passion for recycling; I can only apologise). To make more people familiar with her rousing adventures, I donated my favourite book from the series to our school library – look out for the title ‘Judy Moody Goes to College’. The main character might be only 9 years old, but we all know that the happiest people are those who remain young at heart. As Captain Hook once said, ‘growing up is such a barbarous business’.
This week’s edition of our school newsletter “Fyling Hall Matters” included a special reading supplement, where members of the Fyling Hall community reflected on books that have had an impact on them. (All of our newsletters can be found on our “Newsletters” page, or you can click here to read this week’s edition: 18 Newsletter 4 March 2016 )
If you have a favourite book at home that you would like to donate to the library, please bring it in to Mrs Locker.
Asia Koter (Year 13)
