When I was young, my father would take me and my brother to the library every Friday. He always brought a beige tote bag while my brother and I walked up and down the aisles, filling the bag to the top with every book imaginable. The librarians grew fond of us and loved seeing which books we had picked for the week. Once we reached home, all three of us would sit on the couch and read every book. We’d pour over Dr. Suess, Roald Dahl, and E.B. White for hours. Every so often, I’d read one of the books aloud. I would stand in the middle of the room acting out each scene while my father tried not to laugh as I became increasingly more animated with every page turn. Â
When I got a little older, I wanted to advance my reading. So, the next time I went to the library, I found a book called “Revenge of the Witch,” it was part of a 13-book series called “The Last Apprentice”, which is about a young boy named Tom who must learn how to destroy supernatural beings. I read “The Last Apprentice” around the house, in the car, and while visiting family. I even sacrificed my sleep, staying up until 1 A.M. some nights. When I finally finished all the books, I got my very first reading slump. I enjoyed the books so much that no other book could compare. Of Course, that feeling quickly went away once I discovered Percy Jackson.Â
My favorite thing about picking up a book is being able to get lost in another dimension. I love getting attached to characters like Percy Jackson, Evelyn Hugo, and Katniss Everdeen. I enjoy seeing how their stories unfold and the feeling of reaching a plot twist that changes the course of the whole story (take this as your sign to read “Silent Patient” if you haven’t already; best plot twist ever). Each book contains a world within the pages. It’s a world I can learn about and explore with each turn.Â
I still make time to visit the library, although being a full-time college student has made my usual weekly trips harder. I find going to the library and being surrounded by books and people who love reading as much as I do so peaceful. I especially love how the library is one of the only places you can actively check items out free of cost.Â