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Book Wise

“I know, now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer.”

– C.S. Lewis, Till we Have Faces

 

“You have to start reading, Paige! It is very important,” My mom told me.

“Why? I don’t like reading,” I grumbled.

“Because it will help you improve your English skills. If you start reading, it will help you understand the language better.”

English was always complicated for me due to my deafness. I could not hear the language being spoken and every time I tried to read a book, it made no sense to me. I could not understand the grammatical structure of the language. My grades in school for English were C’s and I always failed the English portion of the FCAT.

Even though I was good at writing, I lacked skills in reading comprehension. As I entered High school, things began to change. One day, I watched Percy Jackson and I was intrigued with the plot. Though I enjoyed the adventurous plot, the film left me hanging with countless questions. These unanswered questions nagged at me so I decided to read the book for answers to the questions jumping around in my head.

Before the movie started, there was a preview about the Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book series. Intrigued by the ad, I decided to read give it a try, hoping that the book would answer list of questions. At first, it was challenging to read. Gradually, as I pressed on, I started to understand the language.

There were words I had never seen before. As each page came to life, I started to love reading. I love the story so much that I went on to the next book. On and on I went. I couldn’t stop reading and my not mom couldn’t keep up. Never before had I realized how a book can suck me into the drama. It was as if my soul was snatched out of my body and pushed into a completely different world that I have never experienced.

My worldview grew as well as my vocabulary and I gained the ability to express myself in creative ways. This was simultaneously refreshing and challenging as I pushed myself to grow.

My mom was right. After all, reading did help me understand English better. Reading has become my way of escaping stress and exercising my mind.

I am so grateful for the encouragement my mother and English teachers have given me throughout the years. Without them, I would not be able to contribute to conversations and understand what is going on in the world.  To be honest, I had no idea that reading will change my worldview and lead me to writing.

Now, when I read Percy Jackson I do not struggle to understand what the story is portraying. However, today I am reading books more in depth and challenge such as Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. This book is amazing!

Wise readers, I challenge you to find a book that interests you the most. Don’t bore yourself to sleep!! Learn and you will become so wise!

 

Comment below with your favorite book quote and share with me why you like that quote!

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4 comments

  1. Great post, Paige. And I love your new website design! It’s beautiful, just like you. 🙂

    1. Thank you 🙂 Reading is ALWAYS good and I LOVE my new website!!!

  2. God gets all the glory! Beautifully expressed!

    1. Thank you, mom! I would have never made it this far without you!

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