In his lecture, ‘Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming,’ Neil Gaiman says that “the simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity.” As teachers of young people in urban India, this is our biggest challenge: to cultivate a love for reading in a generation that equates pleasure with instant gratification. Amidst a barrage of slick, easy-to-consume multimedia content, reading requires commitment and painstaking effort- the sort that adolescents grudgingly reserve for their examinations and other labour-intensive schoolwork.
The Harry Potter books have made an everlasting impact on my life. The idea of wizards, witches and Muggles gripped me right from the very first book. I guess you could say Hogwarts is my happy place. Whenever I’m having a bad day, just the thought of the magical fandom brings me immense happiness and fills me with a feeling of “ah.. this is home”. I was so obsessed with Rowling’s stories that I actually hoped to receive my “Hogwarts letter” on my 11th birthday. One of the biggest disappointments in my life was when I realised I wouldn’t receive one. I would often run around my bedroom ‘casting’ spells and imagine myself flying on broomsticks, racing to catch the snitch in a game of Quidditch. And I feel that so many children, teens and adults alike are emotionally attached to the wizarding world because this is what dreams are made of: someplace where we can escape from reality and dive into a magical world.
I believe every child should be given a chance to experience this magical fantasy and be a part of this great universe.
Ethan Roshan, Age 16
However, there have and will always be readers. In classrooms full of resentful, listless faces, there are always at least four or five starry-eyed young men, quietly moved by Shakespeare’s enduring and timeless turn of the phrase. I have had the enormous privilege of befriending a number of these discerning young men; their confidences won with the most acceptable kind of bribe- a book, thoughtfully chosen and carefully gifted.
Adam Santamaria (age 15), Akhil Ramchand (age 14), Angus Fredrick (age 15) and Daniel Williams (age 15) spent over an hour with me, discussing what it means to be a reader at a time where social media and Netflix are seductive alternatives. We had a heartfelt chat about how the books they have read are a fundamental part of who they are and how reading has shaped their dreams, desires and perspectives.
Isha: Tablets, smartphones, television and the Internet have been a part of your lives ever since you were little. Amidst seemingly more attractive choices, why did you choose to read?
Adam: Both my older sisters were always engrossed in books. So I decided to give reading a shot. I’ve never regretted it: reading kindled in me the desire to learn. When I’m feeling low and am ready to give it all up, one of the things that keeps me going is the thought of all those lovely books I haven’t had a chance to read yet.
Daniel: I’ve always had an affinity for books, but I always stuck to a single author or the same series of books for a long period of time. I never thought of going out to a library or a bookstore to get new books. The summer after 7th grade was life-changing for me. I never stopped reading that summer and that was when I truly began to read. Smartphones and tablets I use quite often, but books are the most beautiful things. Once I pick up a book, I never want to stop. When I read a book, I dive into another world, a world away from all my sorrows and discomforts.
Akhil: To me, books are easily the most interesting things in the world. Books are meticulously articulated ideas and dreams. As readers, we come away with something to ponder over in the hours that follow. The compassion and love that authors pour into the books they write keep me occupied for hours on end.
Angus: Books have been a huge part of my life. They touched me in a way that smartphones never could. They transported me to worlds far more exciting than this one. I have accompanied relatable characters on adventures. So much of the world I am transported to is of my own creation: my imagination reigns supreme, even though the author may not have thought of it the same way. This is what is so wonderful about books- I feel secure enough to escape into a world of my own creation, aided by a powerfully-written book.
Isha: What book would you credit with having changed your life?
Daniel: One book that changed my life was Song of Achilles. This book opened my mind to an entirely and completely different aspect of Greek mythology and romance. I learnt that love is love, and that it overcomes everything in its way. The moving romance in the book between the two protagonists gave me complete joy. The plot of the book captured my heart and the moment I started to read this book, I never put it down. It has and will always have a special and important place in my heart.
Angus: Without books, I probably would not have been the boy I am today. Books like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Harry Potter opened my eyes. They introduced me to new ideas and opened my world. Books expanded my horizons: they transported me to different universes and other realities and taught me to be creative and imaginative. I also credit these books with teaching me how to write: it is only because I read that I have learnt how to express myself.
For many people, it may be more interesting to watch a movie than read a bunch of words. However, I am not one of them. Many times, movies fail to portray clear-cut deep emotions and feelings. Simple black and white colours, the words and pages, paint one’s mind with vivid colours.
I’ve been reading since I can remember and books have never disappointed me. Every author has millions of stories and each story has millions of emotions pouring through its words. In my preteens, I used to read plenty of romance novels.
As I’ve grown, I’ve indulged my love for crime fiction and controversial stories: Books about bullying, rape and other things that are kept under wraps. One of my most favourite books so far, is The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult.
To me, reading is like being a part of the author’s thoughts and inside their brilliant minds. Their words register as thoughts and emotions within us.
An “escape” is when one wants to leave one’s current situation for a while. That is precisely what books are to me. An escape. To my own world that comprises two people- the author and me. Words hold power. They make you feel things. Think things. Create things within your mind. That is what reading is to me.
Samyuktha Reddy, Age 15
Adam: I’ve noticed that the majority of the kids who enjoy reading, read largely science fiction. Akhil, do you agree? What genres do you enjoy reading?
Akhil: Science fiction is only one among many literary genres. I do enjoy it, but I enjoy reading books which deal with romance and death. I find that as subjects, these are thought-provoking and engaging, even after I’ve finished reading the book.
Isha: Why choose books over, say, social media or the Internet?
Adam: Talking to people on social media or just letting off steam on the Internet is special and relaxing in its own way. However, reading gives one a thrill that no other means of leisure or entertainment can. Readers can trust a book to transport them to another place without abandoning them there. Books are opportunities to escape this reality and inhabit another one.
Daniel: I would definitely choose books over social media. Social media and the Internet can be extremely enjoyable and interesting, but books are a million times better than any social media platform. Books are always my first choice. When I read a book, I make sure I put away my electronic devices so I am not disturbed by the constant notifications and the urge to pick it up and use it. Books give my eyes a rest and take my mind on a whole new journey.
Isha: What book would you recommend to a teenager to introduce them to books and encourage them to read? Why?
Akhil: Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune. This was the book that made me a reader. I found that this book had it all: the perfect mix of adventure, humour and gripping plot-twists. It is also short and pacy, so it will not bore a new reader with little patience for books.
Adam: Either the Harry Potter or Artemis Fowl series. Harry Potter is relatable and the extended descriptions of Hogwarts and the Weasleys’ home are enough to captivate the imagination of any artist. As for Quidditch: Rowling’s managed to have me – someone who hates sports- hooked! Artemis Fowl is great fun, because we are privy to the inner workings of a teenage mind. Not just any teenager, but a criminal mastermind. I’d like to believe that his adventures and antics will keep any new reader hooked.
Angus: To my mind, a new entrant into the world of books must read either the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series. My personal preference between the two is definitely the Harry Potter series: the books are well written and appeal to readers of all ages. The characters are so relatable that you develop a bond with them. In addition to this, Rowling is an incredible story-teller: she keeps you guessing. The mysteries of Harry’s past kept me hooked until the very end, at which point, I wished I could begin all over again. Harry Potter is a must-read.