It’s 3am and I’ve just noticed the time. Argh! I determinedly fold down the page of my book and try to stop feeling guilty. ‘It’s only 3am, Jessica, I’m sure you won’t be tired tomorrow...’ yeah right. This is the problem with me and books. I read them like I eat packets of biscuits. Each chapter is another sweet chewy circle of joy and I don’t stop consuming until they’re all gone. I sometimes enjoy reading a little fiction before bed, as many do, to give some time for the brain to relax and unwind. I’ll pick a book from my shelves, wriggle under the duvet and start to read… and don’t stop. Oh look, 4 hours have slipped by!
Thankfully I don’t own any of my very favourite books, or these late night reading sessions might occur more frequently. My bookcase is crammed with retired favourites: colourful paperbacks (Jacqueline Wilson was my primary school author of choice), holiday reads and other assorted teen fiction. The school library is the real residence of all my top favourites. To me, a long-awaited book becomes more tempting when it’s wrapped in protective plastic and has a paper record thingy stuck in the front - and it’s free you know! As a lower school student I spent many a lunchtime there with friends, but now I swan in and stagger out again a short while later, somewhat less stylishly, with a healthy stack of books. The librarians are always friendly and helpful, and there’s a book club for all years on Tuesdays where we often read book award nominees.
For years I was slightly put off mainstream books with loads of awards, but then I realised that these books won because they really are fantastic! Take “The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness, as an example. It won the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the Guardian Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. I remained sceptical, despite numerous members of the aforementioned book group singing its praises. It was only when I actually got round to checking it out (of the library) did I see what the fuss was about. Patrick Ness’ whole “Chaos Walking” series so far is imaginative and thought-provoking. The third book came out this May. Another incredible trilogy that I’m excited for the conclusion of is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. This is action-packed and fascinating fiction at its best. It’s just a shame I have to wait for August 2010!
I love books, especially those that allow me to escape into another world, like lovely fat fantasy series such as “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Specials” and “Extras” - and the one with “Mortal Engines” by Philip Reeve, all set in some enthralling but troubled alternate world. I’m not too picky; I enjoyed the “Twilight” saga by Stephenie Meyer too! Maybe if you’re looking to buy a present for a literary teen I’ve been of some help...
When my family are on holiday or a long car journey, I have become quite the expert at stealthily peering over my younger brother’s shoulder to borrow a bit of his entertainment should I finish my own. There’s nothing wrong with reading below your age every now and again. After all, Ben has reasonable taste; Frank Cottrell Boyce for the win! At the other end of the spectrum is the kind of literature we read in English, like “The Great Gatsby.” Fun too, I guess, apart from the fact we have to read into all the deep meaning and dissect it to death.
Learning to read as a young child is like being given the key to the Tardis. You can go anywhere and do anything. The possibilities just keep on multiplying as you progress from big picture books read by Mum, to ingenious stories and adventures. Just keep turning those pages.
Jessica
Jessica is a regular columnist for All Things Local and currently a sixth form student at Ecclesbourne School, Duffield.
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