Let's get this straight: I've NEVER been an avid reader. I previously labeled people who read for fun as introverts out of touch with the world around them. I thought reading was a boring, pointless activity with no purpose in today's world.

I was all wrong.

But I can't be blamed entirely. Part of the reason why I vehemently looked down upon readers was a result of the environment I grew up in. Technological advancements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries dubbed literature as outdated and instigated the development of more "innovative" forms of entertainment, including television, film, and the Internet.

This is the primary reason why my peers and I never discovered ourselves salivating at the release of new "Harry Potter" books in the same way we did at new "Spiderman" movies.

Another reason why I never read on my own is that there was never any pressure placed on me to read. My parents aren't bookworms themselves, and any assignment I had for school regarding literature could be completed with the Internet's assistance (shout out to SparkNotes, CliffNotes, and Shmoop).

Honestly, there was never any reason for me to read during my adolescence, so I never did it... until recently.

As a 19-year-old entering his sophomore year of college, I've finally taken initiative and begun reading for the sake of reading. Crazy, isn't it? You may be wondering, "What caused you to start reading?"

Honestly, I can't answer that question confidently, but I can make some suggestions. About a week ago, I had an epiphany. I intend on going to law school after I graduate from Rowan. Law school requires determination and diligence, two attributes that I feel as though I'm well-equipped with.

Law school, however, also involves reading. LOTS of reading. The readings are difficult, and students must be able to comprehend the cases they're analyzing in order to be successful.

At this moment, I came to the realization that I want to go to law school in three years, yet I still read at an elementary level. It takes me forever to read and, most of the time, I don't even understand what I'm reading. It's like the words escape my brain entirely.

No, I don't have dyslexia, nor do I have A.D.H.D. I'm a fast-paced person and don't have the patience to endure reading more than a few pages at a time.

Not only do I wish to hone my reading skills to become more efficient and analytical, but I also want to experience the satisfaction that literature fanatics feel after they complete a remarkable piece of work. In my opinion, a reader's brain tends to function on a more intellectual level as he or she continues to read.

Furthermore, readers are able to adopt the habits and writing styles of their favorite authors and combine them to create their own image, which subsequently makes them better writers.

I essentially believe that readers are all-around more advanced individuals than non-readers. A couple of days ago, I discovered a copy of Jonathan Franzen's "How To Be Alone" in the depths of my cluttered room. With little else to do until school starts up again in the fall, I started reading Franzen's collection of essays.

I am excited to read other works from a variety of renowned authors as the summer progresses.

I've been missing out for far too long. Falling in love with a good book is truly an eye-opening experience. There is a world of captivating literature present in contemporary society, but many individuals take it for granted.

We view books, poems, and short stories as obsolete forms of entertainment. It's sad, and I'm not sure if the stigma attached to reading will dissipate as time goes on.

Nevertheless, I will continue to read. If you ever find yourself bored on a rainy summer afternoon, pick up a book and read. If you don't like it, you don't like it. That's no reason to not give it a shot.

I think I got my point across. Now, let me get back to my book.