The Importance of Reading in My Life Essay Example

Have you ever felt like you needed to escape reality? Was there a hobby to feel like you did? It may be dancing, painting, singing, or even listening to music. It may be essentially any recreation activity to release stress. For me, reading is a long-time obsession of mine. Whenever possible, getting consumed into another universe is an enjoyment for me. Getting sucked into an unknown realm of books is a dreamland. On weekends, I visit the library and scan through several mysteries, adventure, or fantasy novels. This interest is something I have been intrigued about for most of my life, and this feeling is no different than when I first started reading on my own. In those days, it was like finding a whole different territory.

While I do not recollect the specific day when I initially started reading, I can still recall how I used to spend my free time. I had consistently invested my days doing schoolwork alone; however, I felt it was tedious and there was nothing invigorating about it. Yet, the hours I passed were about to change. In my third-grade English class, students had to read a book each month and take a quiz on it. Yet, during Christmas break, my teacher had instructed us to read a novel of our own choice. Along those instructions, I visited the library soon thereafter. Prior to this day, I had only ever gone to the library to look at reading material or to study for classes. Going to the library for my own leisure felt like a special time for myself.

When I first entered the library, the reds and greens decorated everywhere, bedazzled me. The walls were shimmering with Christmas lights and there were several trees with gifts underneath. I was in awe of how beautiful everything was. There were also many other students who were looking for books like me. While I could hear the jolly songs in the background, my eyes at last found the books. There were so many, I did not know where to look first. Since I had read several informative books in my class, I was inclined to read something of a different genre. While I sifted through the racks of books, I was unable to find a single one that captured my attention. However, as I turned to the last shelf, I saw a poster labeled, “Most Popular Books for 3rd Graders!!” above it. While I beamed at the innocence of the board, I saw only one book on that shelf. I was stunned and my grin was wiped away. All the other third graders had checked out all the other books! I saw the remaining book and read its synopsis on the back. I was in wonder as I finished reading and turned over the book to its cover. I traced my finger over the intricate lines of the mechanical dragon’s drawing. The title of the book was The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. I felt like I will never get this opportunity again, so I promptly stood in line to check it out. I still remember the librarian eyeing me over and saying, “A lot of kids are reading this series, I bet it's really interesting.” I nodded and smiled at my feet as I waited. I hope it is, I thought. 

Later that day, I carried my book home and sat along the windowsill in my room. I peered out the window and it was snowing. I wasn’t surprised since there was consistently flurries during December. While other kids went outside to have snowball fights or make snow angels, I snuggled up with the cozy heater. As I read the first chapter of the book, I felt like I was another character in the story. I felt like the main lead, like I could be brave and fight for something I have a passion for too. I wanted to be a problem-solver and find solutions for others like a leader. I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and be courageous. While reading the novel, I could also tell the imagery so vividly, that I grasped everything I laid my eyes on. Within half an hour, I had already finished five chapters. I kept turning the pages and felt curious about the mysteries of each chapter’s ending. Although I did not like the cliffhangers, it only made me need more. Soon after finishing the book, I was astonished to realize that I had spent only five hours on it. While on an informative book I usually spent at least five days on, I had completed this novel within hours. Later that evening, I realized I did not hear my parents' calls before because I was sucked into a “fictional world.” 

Some things never change since I can still get swept away into a fantasy and get fixated on it until I’m done with each chapter. Reading The Lost Hero made me so engrossed in being a leader, that I started making clubs in middle school and high school. Despite the fact that I do not get enough time as my younger self, I still read on occasion of books consisting about gallantry. Sometimes when I have no work, I pick up the nearest mystical book I encounter, and get my nose stuck in it. I am called the “Belle” of our family because of my passion for novels. While I miss reading every day, I still try to find some time to curl up with a book. However, as a college student, I have been finding more free time than my middle or high school years. Hopefully, I can again go back into my long-time hobby and keep reading even in the future. As I grow older, I yearn to learn more about how fictional books are made for imaginative people like me.