How I'm liking my book so far

I’m reading 13 Reason Why and so far I love it. It’s a very emotional story of a suicide and really gets me to feel things I don’t normally. The plot is interesting because it switches between Hannah talking on the tapes and to the person who is listening to them. I was expecting to really enjoy it and I definitely do.  It’s a lot different than previous books I read but it captivates you. I really suggest reading it I you like kind of mystery/love/tragedy type novels.

What is a book?

A book is an experience. A book creates this new scenario for you to follow. You get involved with characters and begin to feel the same emotions they feel. For example, when a character dies you feel the same pain as people in the book do. So in a way, books kind of give you another life. They introduce you too new people, build new relationships, and create new events that you’ll only experience in a book. What I’ve come to realize is that when I’m faced with a situation that has happened in a book that I’ve read; I have a better understanding of it. I feel like I’ve dealt with it before and can get through it easier. That’s why a book is an experience. It gives you knowledge of events that haven’t happened in your life which is pretty cool. If you read enough, you probably know about a lot more life lessons than a person who doesn’t read because they don’t have the experience that the book gave to you.  

                I’m a very sentimental person, so I sided with the authors who were saying that having a book is more of a physical thing. It’s the actual feel and smell and look of a book that make me love to read. I like the feeling of holding it in my hand and being able to see how much I’ve read and how much I have left. For me, e-readers take away the reading experience because I’m looking at my phone all day so reading on my phone doesn’t feel like anything special. It’s when I actually take the time to get out a book that I feel like I’m reading. Plus there are distractions on phones that cause you to read for a shorter period of time. With an actual hard cover book you get lost in it and connect with the story at a greater level. I’m not completely against reading on things like an iPad or phone because of their convenience, but given the choice I’d always pick a physical book.

Why I Read

I read because it fuels my imagination, as I'm reading a good book I get lost in it. It helps me relax yet entertains me at the same time. Reading helps me learn new vocabulary and find out things I didn't know before. It's also a good way to pass time without getting bored. When I’m reading a good book I get very involved with the characters and build relationships with them. You know a book is really good when you never want to put it down. That’s what I experienced with Water for Elephants. I was at the lake all weekend and unfortunately it was bad weather and there were no TV’s around. To fill this time, I began reading and I couldn’t stop. The book had cliff hangers at the end of every chapter and I refused to lay it down for even a second. For me, that’s why I read. I read so I can have fun with something as simple as a story, so I can explore new possibilities I never thought could happen and so I can take time out of my busy schedule to enjoy something that puts me at ease. That’s why I read.