Audrey Peltier: Reading is a habit that elementary and middle schools build in young students, but transitioning to high school brings new responsibilities in which these responsibilities and commitments often take priority over previous hobbies like reading for fun. Let’s hear from some students and faculty about how their reading habits have changed over time.

William O’Brien: William O’Brien, grade 11, I do read for pleasure and I enjoy it because it helps me fall asleep and because I read before I go to bed and I get to read interesting stories that I wouldn’t normally read in school. I read “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy and that was really good. It just changed the way I think about creative writing. It’s kind of a Western but it kind of changed my viewpoints on the philosophy of the West and like the Wild West, a lot of the books that I’ve read in the past year have been my grandpa’s, because he had a large collection. And sometimes I go to a bookstore with my dad or something, because he likes to go and I’ll get something there.

Eleanor Mody: Eleanor Mody, I’m a junior. I used to, but I don’t really have enough time to read on my own now, so I kind of just am reading the things I have to do for school. Well, I have a lot more homework and a lot more things to do outside of school, so that kind of takes up all my free time.

Peltier: Do you miss not having as much time to read as you used to?

Mody: A little bit. I mean, I used to read a lot, like I would get a ton of books from the library every week, but, yeah, it’s just something that I don’t have.

Peltier: Upper school librarian Cat Mullen has advice for high schoolers struggling to pick up a book.

Cat Mullen: It’s super hard. And there are some days when I don’t read it all. I feel like one way is to not feel pressured to do it, like if you don’t have time today, you don’t have time today. But also, if it’s something you enjoy or you want to do, try to make it a priority. So maybe you don’t, and I’m totally guilty of this, but don’t watch your TikToks for a half hour. Put your phone down and actively read a book. It also helps if you have a book you like. So if you’re reading something you don’t like, or you have to read for school, but there’s something you’re interested in, or there’s something you’ve been wanting to read, just make sure it’s something really entertaining. I read to learn things, but I also read just because it’s fun. Or I love what people call trash books, just like the candy for your brain. Sometimes it’s just reading for fun. And don’t feel bad if that’s the type of reading you’re doing or wanting to do.

Peltier: Reading books is an excellent way to gain knowledge and relax productively. If you are struggling to pick up a book to read for fun, sometimes the first step is as simple as opening up the first page.

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