Becoming engulfed in an exotic world where you can meet new characters and imagine yourself in various breath-taking situations is just one of the joys of reading. A story is like a world where anything is possible, therefore being a great form of escapism.
Reading material can come in all different shapes and sizes, many that we use on a day-to-day basis without even realising: signs, letters, newspapers, magazines and even dictionaries. Being a skill that many use from a young age, reading, especially for young people, can become synonymous with English Literature exams and studying a book almost to death. However, reading should not be cast away along the road to adulthood as something that lives in the classroom: reading can be embraced and enjoyed by all ages, at all stages.
Choosing a book to read can be hard when there is so much selection at the various libraries around Birmingham; details of all the libraries can be found on the Birmingham City Council website. And with the new Central Library, due to be open next year, the choice will get even wider, so no excuses for not finding a book!
Younger readers may also be interested in a reading event aimed at young people: ‘Young Readers Birmingham’. It is a Birmingham-wide event, at the beginning of June, to celebrate reading. There are over 60 events taking place, with many poets, storytellers and authors booked to share their work and maybe even give away a few of the magic ingredients required to excite the senses and create a good novel or poem.
Although the word ‘young’ is included in the title; festivals and events such as this should be a reminder to all about the joys of reading, a pastime that often gets forgotten somewhere in the middle of our busy lives: the pile of books grows, whilst reading them becomes an activity for ‘someday soon’. Reading, especially novels, should become a priority in our lives not only for the escapism they give, but also the opportunity to learn: about different cultures, different times and different places. All it takes is five minutes and a good book and you’ll never look back, I promise!
By Imogen Sprackling
