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Reading Between the Lines (Literally)
Hi, I’m Renata and as the ambassadors’ editorial team’s “leader,” it is my obligated (not really) duty to kick off this wonderful website’s blog with a fun and interesting article, where you’ll learn just how amazing a library can be and get some peak recommendations for your TBR (To be read) list!
Reading Is More Than Just Reading
According to Christopher Brown, “To be a good reader means not merely to examine the surface, but to excavate the layers and find meaning across them” (Brown, C., 2024).
And honestly, in this day and age, I’m sure we’ve all noticed just how bad the literacy crisis is. Not in a “I don’t know what c-a-t is!” kind of way (though that is still an issue), but more in a “I’ve read this paragraph three times and still have absolutely no idea what it means” kind of way.
There are lots of factors that can contribute to this, from different teaching techniques to AI and social media. And yes, I know the temptation to use ChatGPT is strong when it’s 11:30 p.m., you have a whole essay due at 11:59, and you have absolutely no clue where to even start looking for information. But honestly, that’s probably doing more damage than good.
When researching information and doing those types of homework assignments you may deem “useless” or “pointless,” you’re actually learning how to understand and analyze a text, just like Brown said. It’s a skill you need for good communication, for the workplace, and hey, even as a hobby you might end up loving!
Finding the Right Book Makes All the Difference
Maybe a 1,000-page book about physics won’t exactly motivate you to keep reading. That’s why fictional books are always my go-to. They’re a great place to start getting your brain used to reading, understanding, and thinking about what’s happening beyond the words on the page.
So, here are some great alternatives with genuinely splendid storylines, lots of new vocabulary, and, most importantly, books you might actually want to finish!
From Screen to Page
If you liked movies such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, etc., I would really recommend checking out the original source material. There are probably hundreds of details you’re missing out on!
I, for example, had been obsessed with everything to do with Harry Potter in 6th grade, and my parents bought the whole collection for me to read. After the first 2–3 books, I started noticing a million differences between the books and movies and fell in love with the Wizarding World even further.
And I can’t even begin to talk about my obsession with the Percy Jackson universe. Rick Riordan has written over 20 books connected to Percy, a demigod, and his friends as they go on all sorts of adventures. I may genuinely be addicted to his way of telling stories: the characters, the different mythologies he brings to life, and the way everything connects. It’s genuinely amazing. 10/10, please give them a try!
For the Fantasy Lovers
If you like fantasy (my personal favorite genre), then some of my top picks would be:
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. It’s the first book in The Lunar Chronicles, a series that takes famous stories like Cinderella, Rapunzel, etc., and turns them into completely new and unexpected adventures. The plots get surprisingly complex, and I loved seeing how all the different stories eventually connect. (12–17 year olds)
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It’s a fantasy adventure about a group of very different characters who have to work together to pull off a dangerous heist. It has amazing characters, lots of twists, and I am irrevocably obsessed with the whole Grishaverse. (It’s like this series’ universe because it has a previous series, Shadow and Bone, a second book since it’s a duology, and a second duology, King of Scars.) (14–17 year olds)
Not Ready to Leave the Visuals Behind?
And finally, if you’re not quite ready to leave visuals behind (which is totally valid), you might want to start with comics and graphic novels. Here are some of my favorites:
Berrybrook Middle School by Svetlana Chmakova. This series was an obsession of mine when I was younger! It’s a series about different kids who all go to the same school and deal with very relatable problems, like awkwardness, having a crush, making friends, and learning to be brave. Each book focuses on different characters, so you get to see the school and its students from different perspectives.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs. I read this a couple of years ago, and it was such a fun and entertaining series about a group of kids who attend a school for literal spies! It’s full of mystery, action, friendship, and plenty of funny moments. I remember getting completely hooked on these books and it being one of my most fun reads.
One Last Page…
So, whether you pick up a fantasy novel, a graphic novel, or finally decide to give that book you’ve been ignoring on the shelf a chance, I hope you find a story that pulls you in, gets you thinking, and maybe even makes you see the world a little differently; because sometimes, the best things are found when you take the time to read between the lines.
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