This Revelry writer has been bed-ridden the past couple days with a respiratory infection. I spent a lot of time at the Student Health Center, but after three shots, a lowered white blood cell count and enough prescription drugs to feed anyone’s bad habit, I found myself back in my room, bored and looking for something to do.
I flipped through the channels and after watching my third round of Sportscenter, I grabbed a book off my shelf and began to read. For many, reading is a soothing activity, not as high maintenance as watching TV or playing a video game. Instead of someone else showing their vision of the story, you create the images in your own head.
To you, the student, I ask this question: When’s the last time you picked up a book and read for fun, not just for one of your courses? That’s what I figured. Recently in one of my classes, we were given an assignment dealing with our favorite author, and I think our teacher was a little more than surprised when more than one of us said we didn’t have a favorite author because we rarely read. Jules d’Hemecourt, a mass communication professor, calls this phenomenon “a-literacy,” which means that although you can read, you choose not to. A-literacy is becoming all too common in our age group.
The truth of the matter is, in a busy college life with classes, jobs and other commitments, one hardly can find time to pick up a book. Reading is classic procrastination; everyone says they are going to crack a book for their own enjoyment but can’t ever find the time or the right book with which to do it.
For those of you who have been tinkering with the idea of picking up a good book as the semester rolls on or even this summer, here are a few paperback suggestions. If you’re looking for an easy read, John Grisham is great, with classic novels like “A Time to Kill” or “The Testament” to a newer release such as “The Summons.” If you’re looking for a great thrill, try one of Stephen King’s chilling novels, from classics like “The Shawshank Redemption” to one of his newer novels, “Dreamcatcher,” which is currently a major motion picture.
Specialty novels provide options as well. The critically acclaimed “Left Behind” series of 11 books caters mainly to Christians, and for the child at heart there is always “Harry Potter.” Looking for some help? The self-help “Chicken soup for the … ” books are geared toward many different audiences, including mothers, students and children.
These few examples are only recent books, though. Go to a local bookstore and check out their bargain rack; they usually are stocked with classics your parents read years ago or you may have read in high school. Talk about nostalgia; remember “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis? What about the choose-your-own-adventure novels, where your decisions determine the ending?
Try the novel version of your favorite movie. Movies often are adapted from books, and usually because of time and money constraints the entire story isn’t told. For example, the novelization of “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” included many scenes which weren’t shown in the movie.
Whether you’re under the weather, tired of TV, or just plain bored, go pick up a book. Books expand your horizons, improve your vocabulary and make you look a whole lot smarter, all at the same time.