NYC Teens: Why We Read
To mark the release of our latest 125th anniversary book list, 125 Books We Love for Teens, we asked NYC teens to tell us what they read and WHY they read. Discover what they love about books, reading, and the power of great stories.
"Reading Is Everything"
—Jesse, 17, patron at Spuyten Duyvil Library, Bronx
As COVID-19 has descended on our lives, and with so many of us stuck at home, people are looking for an escape from the world…and there is one, not out the door but through the page.
Reading is a reprieve from the world, an indulgence that takes us away from reality when it can be dismal (say, now). Reading is fantasy; from the sweeping worlds of Tolkien to the nail-biters of Agatha Christie, macabre stories of Poe, and societal commentaries of Orwell, we live vicariously through the characters in the pages. Reading is creation, bringing these figures made of ink and thoughts to life by means of our connection to them—book characters may not exist in our lives, but they live in our hearts.
Reading is emotion, the ability of each page to keep us enthralled, crying, laughing hysterically, or in abject horror. Reading is social, sharing our favorite novels with friends and saying more words about an ambiguous ending than were in the book originally. Reading is nostalgia, because we all remember that first book that lit the fire in our hearts to keep flipping books open. Reading is tranquility, a state of zen best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa. Reading is comfort, curling up with a thriller on a cold rainy day by an open fire, sweater-clad with a cat sprawled over your lap. And reading is learning, for many the ideal medium to explore and internalize the breadth and scope of the world around us.
Reading is something unique to each of us, some memory, some feeling, some specific book or character, some moment in your life you couldn’t have possibly borne without a book at your side. I can’t define what reading is to everyone, so I’ll take the cop-out answer and say simply:
Reading IS everything.
I hope you enjoy the list ahead, and I hope reading means as much to you as it does to me.
"Reading Gives Your Mind a Taste of Many Different Worlds"
—Dewou, 15, patron at Mosholu Library, Bronx
The majestic bookworm, in its natural habitat, is a mysterious creature. Buried under piles of blankets, it surfs the web for new books to prey on, completely ignoring the 200+ books on its TBR list. And now here’s 125 more books to add to your list!
My name is Dewou and I am guilty of sometimes not actually getting to the reading part of the books in my to-be-read list. I can’t really remember when I started loving books but I certainly know why. True, reading makes you smarter, but it also gives your mind a taste of many different worlds.
I read for many reasons. I pick up a book anytime I need to get something off my mind or when I feel like I need a break from reality (because the world isn’t always kittens and rainbows). Reading also feels like having an adventure through someone else's life and their world. There are thousands of different books with thousands of different worlds for you to visualize and explore. You just need to find the right genre and book to get you started because there’s a book for everyone. You might not even know you’re interested in a certain genre until you try it out. There’s also the possibility of you discovering more about yourself while you read. You might find yourself complaining about how the main character should have made better decisions like choosing a dragon instead of a toad for a pet (not that I’m speaking from personal experience or anything). You sort of explore and expand your emotions in a way.
During quarantine, I finally found the time to read the Harry Potter series (I know, I’m late to the party!) and it was definitely a fun ride. I was able to talk with people who felt the same way and join many virtual events. A common interest in a certain book helps bring people together and offers an opportunity for people to interact.
There are endless reasons as to why people like reading and some of them just can’t be explained away with words. Finding the right book might not always be easy but that’s what libraries and librarians are for!
"To Find My Peaceful Place, I Would Read"
—Xi, 18, patron at Kingsbridge Library, Bronx
A question that is commonly asked is: Why do you read? The answers or reasonings are always unique to each person. For example, social studies teachers can say they read because they love to learn about different historical figures. By reading, they can learn more about a specific historical figure that they are interested in. Another example is an English teacher; they might read books for entertainment. These examples are significant because everyone has their own “reasoning” about why they read books. They all have their own motivation to read books.
Now, you are thinking why would people even read books unless it is an assignment that is given to them which they would have to complete. We are literally surrounded by technologies such as phones, Xboxes, and Nintendo, so why do we decide to pick a book up to read? Personally, I pick up a book to read for many reasons. As a person who is curious about everything, I am so always constantly reading books that even my mother said that was the reason why I needed to start wearing glasses. I was always reading books under my blanket when I was supposed to be asleep. Furthermore, I read because it was the only time I felt peace and calmness. Growing up with four siblings, it was pretty hectic, and to find my peaceful place, I would read. Through reading I was able to be somewhere I can put my mind at ease. Reading has become more essential since I became a teenager because of all the stress of trying to be perfect at everything I am curious about, whether it’s sports, cultures, languages, etc. Reading has really helped me get through some of my days. I enjoy reading because, through the books that we chose to read, we are able to gain knowledge and different perspectives of ideas or beliefs.