Struggle to Enjoyment: My Reading Journey

Throughout my childhood and adolescence, reading was never an activity that I would voluntarily take part in. In fact, I would avoid having to read in any way possible, like by taking trips to the bathroom and nurse’s office at any sign of a reading activity. I believe this is mostly due to several decoding and comprehension deficiencies that weren’t addressed until I was at the end of fourth grade. Whether it was with “Hooked on Phonics” at home or the multiple reading interventions that I was placed in at school, I felt my time reading was not only boring, but also stressful. I truly struggled to find enjoyment in reading. I can remember many teachers that I have had telling me how important it is for me to read every day so I can catch up to my classmates. Looking back, I feel I never thought I could possibly read the books at my grade level.

Thankfully, things changed in high school. Although I may not have miraculously found a passion for reading at this time, I felt much more confident in my reading abilities. One of my close friends introduced me to the hobby of reading, which I didn’t see myself ever preferring over television, but it didn’t seem as boring as I thought it would. Even though I often observed my mom reading in her free time, it wasn’t until I met this friend where I could imagine myself enjoying reading as well. She let me borrow her books by Sarah Dessen and the Twilight Series, which eventually sparked my interest in reading and opened up a while new world for me.

In the past four and a half years since graduating high school, I have spent more time reading than ever before. I have encountered authors like Nicolas Sparks, Theresa Rizzo, and John Green in which I have read a majority of their books. A few years back, I asked for a Kindle for my birthday, which has encouraged me to read even more. I love that I can just tap on the screen to turn the page and when I finish reading a book, a list of similar books are offered for me to choose from. I also love the convenience of reading on the Kindle. Although I do try to read books for fun in my free time, it unfortunately doesn’t happen often unless it’s during school breaks. By the time my readings for classes are done, I am usually not left with time to read for pleasure. It’s safe to say that much of my time reading for fun is typically in January and the summer months.

When it comes to reading for college courses, I almost always actually read assigned readings, rather then just skim though or ignore them, which I resorted to in high school. I am able to read much faster since I began reading more often, which makes a big difference in my attitude towards assigned reading.  I also comprehend much more than before because I have learned to aim my focus on the reading, rather than let my mind wander while staring at words on a page.

Overall, I like to read mostly books that are realistic fiction or those based off a true story. Since getting into my majors and minors, I have read much more regarding those topics. My special education classes inspired me to pick up more books about people with disabilities. My Sociology minor concentrating in criminal justice has led me to read more books in the True Crime category. Unlike in the past, I can find entertainment and relaxation in reading, which is something I never thought would happen. I am grateful that I was able to overcome my struggles and lose the negative outlook on reading. I hope to share my joy for reading and promote reading outside of the classroom with my future students.