Happy National Read Across America Day, or at least, happy late Read Across America day. On the second day of March, the National Education Association celebrates not only Dr. Seuss's birthday, but also the joys of reading with children across America. I know I might not be a kid anymore, but that doesn't mean that this day should be any less important. It's a celebration of an ancient activity, an integral part of our society and our lives. So in honor of one of the greatest authors of all time, and a day when literature is nationally recognized for how important it truly is, I thought I would share the ways it has impacted my own life.
For me, literature puts you into a time and place that you may otherwise never encounter, lets you imagine certain scenarios in you mind, and lets you believe that you're the one living them. Maybe you're Elizabeth Bennet living out one of the greatest period dramas and romances of all time, or maybe you're Ishmael sailing the ocean with a deranged captain in search of Moby Dick. Either way, reading gives me, and I hope others, an outlet to imagine a world separate from their own, and even if it's a world full of danger, despair, or great love, it creates a sort of movie in your mind that is also both exciting and thrilling.
Aside from this, I've recently been reading more and more classic novels and short stories. Even though most of these are for class, I've found more enjoyment in this type of literature than I thought possible. By reading more of the classic novels that helped to shape this type of book, and learning that literature hasn't always taken on this now popularized form, I've learned to appreciate the new books and novels that are released now. In seeing the way the form of the novel has shifted over time, I've also learned to harbor a greater appreciation for these classics because they're the reason literature is what it is today, and for me, that's important to note.
Reading has always been a source of joy for me, an outlet to stop thinking about whatever is dragging me down in life, and focus on a different world with different people that can be both exciting as easily as intimidating. Either way, reading has always made me happy, and whether it's a novel of danger and despair teaching me how not to live life, or a novel of romance and happiness helping me to understand exactly what I want for myself, I've always found some lesson to be learned in what I'm reading.
Read Across America Day definitely holds more of a focus on reading to children of younger ages, but I think that's important. They may not have to enjoy it, but they deserve a chance to be introduced to it, and shown how life-changing it can be. Reading is important, and I'm thankful to have it in my own life, and if fun classroom festivities and reading days are what it takes to keep a strong group of readers in every generation, then I hope that "holidays" such as these might continue for years to come.
