I believe that...

I believe that, much to the environment in which I grew up, reading has always been an important aspect of my life as an escape from the chaos that seeks to dominate my life. Let me begin by confessing that I don’t read as much as I would like (so much for appealing to ethos). However, that fact won’t hinder me from talking about a subject I am not qualified to talk about.  What else would I be doing on the internet if not that? Now that I’ve confessed to my sins, I can continue talking about my love for the Good Book(s).  

To start, I have always been surrounded by books. And where books go, bookworms follow. As a child I could always find my mother hiding underneath the comforts of a blanket and a cat, reading a book in her spare time. All of my close friends are bookworms too. One of my best friends can read a book at superhuman speed. It must be on account of her “magical” red hair. I’m certain another good friend is trying to live in her local Barnes & Nobles. Employees, be on the lookout for a girl of short stature with brunette hair and green eyes behind thick glasses, most likely probably holding five books from the latest series to her chest.

I can see their personalities shine through the books they are always recommending. My redheaded friend, who I mentioned before, predominantly reads fantasies and fairytales. As the hero of her own story, she can face any challenge with her optimistic perspective on life. My other best friend reads science fiction, ranging from the classics to the obscure titles hidden away in the dark crevices of her local library.  I’m convinced she’s a robot because she can read binary code better than English. Naturally their enthusiasm for books rubbed off on me, as my friends recommend books to me whenever a chance presents itself.

As I mentioned before, reading is a healthy escape from reality when it becomes too much to bare. Immersing myself in someone else’s story lets me forget about my own problems for a time. It may sound pitiful to others; to them I say, “if you are looking for more thrilling ways of coping with life then may I suggest treasure hunting or cocaine.” As for me, I read stories revolving around heroes in the hopes that their virtues will inspire me. Heroes are supposed to conquer their own demons while saving others from some universal threat, like say the imminent threat of an apocalypse, an actual apocalypse, a threat that can only be conceivable in a post-apocalyptic world, or high school. With some space to see things in a new light, I can calmly reproach life’s problems (until it becomes too much to handle again and I have to read more to keep from crying). I was raised in an environment where reading is as habitual as eating breakfast. Reading has and will continue to help me cope with my life in a safe and enjoyable way.