Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out

by Shannon Reed

Reading is a solitary pursuit, by nature, but the pleasure of discussing what one has read is deeply collective,

Life is so much better with books than without.

I realized that I had to slow down, to read less in order to understand more.

Here’s the truth: we can read whatever we want, whenever we want.

Despite their efforts to ban various books, I don’t think they will succeed, because once you’ve read your Wonder, you won’t accept anything less. Having seen yourself in a book, you’re different—represented, presented, less alone—and, moreover, you want the same for others, for everyone, too.

I am a person of innate caution and hesitancy, but I hate you can never be too careful because it’s total bullshit. You can be too careful. You can act out of fear, a fear rooted in racism. You can overlook that the most danger you face is probably from the men you already know, and you can traumatize people who sincerely and entirely meant you no harm.