When I was younger, I was always reading. I constantly had a book in my hand and enjoyed traveling to different places in my mind as I read different stories. As I have grown up, I have continued to love reading. I keep a notebook that has a list of over 300 books I would like to read one day. I began writing this list at the beginning of high school and have continually added books to the list ever since.

I view reading as a way to learn without sitting in a class. Although I do not only read non-fiction books that are full of facts and real knowledge of the world and the lives we live, history, math, etc. Reading anything, in general, is good for the mind, body, and soul. Reading of any kind improves language skills and writing.

In high school, I started reading a lot less than I did before, at least reading books that I wanted to read. There were always so many books I needed to read for English class or an elective in school, that I didn't have as much time to devote to reading the books I found interesting. Don't get me wrong, I loved some of the required reading books, but I also missed reading books from my own collection.

Even now in college, I have not had as much time to read as much as I would like too. I am always studying for a test, drowning in homework assignments, working, or busy with other activities. I still read, but I wish it was more often. I have recently put a lot of thought into how much I miss reading which has to lead me to pick up books more often. As a kid, things were so easy – less homework and not as many tests so there was plenty of time to read.

This past Christmas, I was gifted with a subscription to Book Of The Month, a service that allows you to choose a book from a list of five. I have rediscovered my love of reading through this gift. I finally finished a book that I have been working on for the last year and have begun reading one of my new ones from this subscription site. I have made it a goal of mine to read more this summer and continue to do so throughout the following school year and into the future. I found my list of books and am ready to cross more off. Instead of using all of my free time to watch Netflix and YouTube and play games, I will devote more of that time toward reading - a love that I do not want to lose.

To anyone who has felt the same way and felt as though school has taken away their love of reading - it is not too late to rediscover that love. Books are full of great knowledge and stories whether they be true or fiction.