Once a week I usually pick up my 14-year-old sister from school. This is usually our day to go out to eat, shopping, or something. In other words, this is our day to spend some time together. So, last week, we decided to eat at O’Charleys. Now, since O’Charleys is right next to my favorite store, I asked her if I could stop in Books-A-Million for a few minutes. (Although, I am never in the bookstore for just a few minutes). She very reluctantly let me go in, and since I would not let her wait in the car, I dragged her in with me. Now, I use the term “drag” because I literally had to do it. The thought of being seen in a bookstore was traumatizing for her. To her, a bookstore was the absolutely most uncool place she could be. She was terrified she would see someone she knows. Not to worry, with her friends feeling the same way, I truly doubt she would see any of them there.
Our mother has a master’s degree in reading and I am on my way to having a degree in English. Is it possible my sister is simply rebelling against books because of us, or does she simply not know what she is missing? She and her friends love to go to the movies, but ask any of them to sit down and read a story and they laugh in your face. She is also in honor’s English where they are required to read a certain number of books. I am sure Cliff Notes made quite a profit off of them. In a generation so used to having things at the push of a button, including my own, it is often hard to find the patience to sit down and read a book. Especially if the movie has already been made.
People today love to go to the movies, including myself. I have a huge collection at home. But, I think many people do not realize that all movies were once simply words on a piece of paper. It was some writer, director or producer who had to take these words, interpret them and prepare a vision for the screen. The great benefit of books is that it is your vision, your imagination and your intelligence that creates and unfolds the story. You get to interpret the words, not some Hollywood director. My message is to stop relying on someone else to interpret for you. Pick up a book and take control of your imagination, and if you still don’t want to, do something even better – create your own. After all, creativity is the highest level of cognitive development and what a great way to make some extra money.

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