Thankful Reading

Since we’re in the season of being thankful, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m grateful for, and in regards to my studies, between English and its various subfields, I am especially grateful for all of the encouragement that my parents gave me toward reading. While encouraging me to read anything, my parents gave me the freedom to read what I wanted to read, and that established practices which have helped me in so many ways. Throughout my time at Fresno City College and Fresno State, I have come to understand how much reading is a skill, more than just an act that you do. The more you read the easier reading becomes. Of course it also matters how difficult the reading is; reading harder material helps you later when you deal with denser texts, but you don’t have to run full marathons to be healthy. Reading what you enjoy reading will help you develop the skills necessary to take on harder readings you’ll need for school and work. When it comes to reading, a little is definitely better than none at all, so pick something you like. I like novels and fiction. Books offer a unique way of experiencing a story. There’s nothing quite like living in a world that, in part, was your own creation with characters and places that you imagine. Of course the author describes it and guides the experience, but you are the one who takes those words and makes them into an image, a place where you exist and experience things unfolding. I really could go on and on about how awesome books are, but I’d rather you experience it for yourself. If novels aren’t your thing though, that’s fine too. I also love reading just to learn about things that interest me. You’re reading this, so good job! Keep up the good work. But then, if you enjoy it so much you’d do it anyway, is it really work?

By David Hardison, Fresno State Instructor, FCC Tutor, and Fresno State Student