So many books, Such little time…

When is the last time you read a book outside of a class requirement? For many students, the answer is: not recently. Books have garnered quite the reputation among the general population and it’s not exactly positive. No matter who you are, you may have heard the phrase, “reading is so boring”. From a young age, there is a major emphasis on reading as a way of improving comprehension skills, writing skills, and overall intelligence. Even the most passionate readers have been heard deploring the extensive and complicated literature introduced to them in the classroom. When your only interaction with literature is presented to you in terms of homework and deadlines, it is easy to cast it aside as another unlikable factor of life. 

But, one confusing book or two shouldn't steer you off of the imaginative and vast world of literature. Find your niche within a cozy romance, wild adventure, daunting horror, epic thriller, informational text, and so much more. It is important to take whatever you want out of reading. If that means reading a guilty pleasure dollar store romance from your grandmother’s shelf, or expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world with historical and cautionary tales from your school library, that is your decision to make. There are too many genres and authors to choose from rather than subject yourself to what you don’t enjoy, solely because it feels like it’s what one should be interested in as a rising career-person.

Understandably, it is an intimidating move to make. Word of advice: dabble in everything! Everyone starts from somewhere and you might just end up discovering new things about yourself and the world. If you’re looking to explore your local library, here are a few titles recommended by University of the Pacific’s very own English department professors (and some by us!). Happy reading!