I've always been an avid reader from the very first moment I learned how to read in first grade. I was that girl who borrowed 50+ books and stayed inside for hours finishing all of them. But I usually read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi. Only when I took AP Lang and AP Lit did I start to enjoy reading a lot of non-fiction and the literary classics. And thanks to John Green, I'm absolutely in love with The Great Gatsby! Enjoyed watching your video! Very eloquent. :)
I can genuinely relate to this. I didn't enjoy reading until about a year ago (after my 19th birthday) about the same time I ended my piano training. I agree with you when you said that you had too many things to do. As a child, my parents signed me up for every possible extra activity. I took various dance lessons for 14 years, art lessons, musical instruments, and then some. But once everything had been completed, reading didn't seem as boring. Today, I'd actually prefer reading.
I read a *lot* as a child. Sherlock Holmes was probably my favorite. But I guess I "grew out of it" until late in high school. I appreciated what I was reading in class, but I had no desire to read. Then I found the theatrical play section of my school library, and I was hooked again.
I got into reading because of Call of the Wild by Jack London. I chose to read it for a book report in 6th grade for two reasons: 1) It was short. 2) It had a cute picture of a dog. Now it's one of my favorite books of all time. xD
I used to read a LOT when I was a kid up to when I was 15/16, school, homework and friends kept me busy, plus I discovered the internet. I never gave up on books, I've always had a book that I was reading, it just took me longer. I have to admit that I haven't read Harry Potter DH until the beginning of 2010 although I've had the book since it came out. I KNOW D: anyways, ever since I've read it a couple of times I find myself reading a lot more books these days. :)
Yeah I wouldn't really have considered myself a reader until this year. Like you said, I've just never really had the time. My intellectual stamina just wasn't enough for both school and pleasure reading, especially when I was required to spend so much time on music. Now that I'm more mature and mentally strong, I guess I'm more able to read for pleasure. It also helps that school is done now. My dad said he was pretty much the same way in college, so I guess some things don't change.
I've read five novels in the past two weeks. When I was young (ages 11-19) that was about average for me. I got sick in 2000 and found myself barely able to read a sentence - it took me years to reacquire the ability. Worth the work, but I can never take it for granted again.
I'm taking AP Lang next year. (I'm scared!) Over the summer we have to read The Last Lecture, 1984, Candide, and The Origin of Species. and I am slightly ashamed to say that I am not much of a reader :( I like reading books and all, but school just sucks the life out of me and I'm more interested in math and science.
@llamaindisguise AP Lang is fun! Don't be too worried about it. :D It's great to be more interested in math and science, not everyone on the Internet can be a book nerd. XD
I started reading the first grade, loved the Hey Aurthur books. Other kids would find reading so miserable, I was amused by stories. Then in 4th grade someone gave me a Harry Potter book and I never stop reading them over and over again. X' D
I love reading, in fact, I just started reading books more towards werewolves than Vampires. Werewolves are amazing. = )
I used to read Harry Potter once or more every summer depending on how bored I was. X' D. It distracted me in school often.
I always hated the thought of reading. It was until Half-Blood Prince that I read a book just for the enjoyment of it. I would now call myself a casual reader. I don't read that often, but I will read if I've got nothing else to do.
I started being an avid reader ("avid reader") three or four years ago after I read Paper Towns (John Green changed my life!) Yeah, I'd read a lot more if I didn't spend so much time on Netflix/YouTube.
I find it harder to read now that I'm more involved with the internet, and I feel like there are so many more distractions that stop me from reading than there were when I was younger. That said, I usually read the most in the summer as reading for fun is easier that reading because I have to, which is probably why a lot of teenagers don't read because they associate it with reading for school, which is often tedious.
I've always loved reading. Boxcar Children, Wayside School, Where the Red Fern Grows when I was younger. I kinda love this words over your face style. It fits you. especially that last little bit with the "read."
The past school year, I only read school-assigned books, which were great, but I'm an avid independent reader as well, so I was kinda beating myself up for not getting to it, but, as you said, I didn't think I had enough time with school and all. So I made a list of books to read that I compiled throughout the year, and now I'm reading almost every day, realizing that I should have made time for this earlier.
I think I'm the opposite to you. I read all the time when I was little, I took books with me everywhere. Then in secondary school I just...stopped? Now I only tend to read in the Summer. Strange.
I only started loving to read when I was a Freshman in High school and read the 5th book of Harry Potter. I failed reading in 4th grade and was always struggling with it so I completely relate.
I SQUEED WHEN I SAW YOU IN MY SUB BOX! :] I've been reading a lot. I just finished Hunger Games, I get Catching Fire tomorrow. I've been reading since before I could do it myself. My mother read to me before I learned for myself. I spent so many summers at the library growing up.
This was a really thoughtful video and I like it a lot. I can't remember not reading, although my earliest memory of loving it passionately was in kindergarten, sitting under the table during reading time and being very happy.
Read them. I first read a book cover to cover in one sitting in grade 6, but I still don't know if I can call myself an avid reader like other people can. I just don't do it as much as w wish I could.
I still don't read as much as I know I should or would like to. I read at night because that is the only time I get to read, and reading makes me drowsy, so I don't get books read very quickly. When I read a fantastic book that I adore, I will read it non-stop as long as I am in a place where I can hold a book (not volleyball practice, but all day in class) I first started reading behind my binder in grade 5, but I am becoming more and more interested in books, even with less and less time to r
i really liked the text on the video! That was a nice touch! I will admit I fangirled a little when you said my name :D
While I am an avid reader, I find it very difficult to read books for school. I think it might be because reading has always been a recreational activity for me, and I don't like being forced to read. I hope as I get older, I'll start to enjoy my Lit classes :)
I've been an avid reader pretty much since I learned to read, so about six years old. For me, it was this rebelious activity, that made me stand out from the other kids, none of which read for fun. Then, as I hit puberty, it became a way to rebel against adults. "You can't tell me what to do! I'm gonna read Post Office instead of the summer assignments, if I want!" I've grown out of that, but I think it helped that I saw reading as cool, so I never gave it up to fit in.
How did I miss this little Twitter survey of yours? Weird. Instead of actually answering the question of when I became a reader here in the comments, I'll make a video about it instead. Motivation FTW!
You're completely right. As you get older, there just isn't nearly enough time. I used to read a LOT as a kid (although, I also didn't have the internet). Plus, the books just get bigger!
I feel like kids would make more effort to read on their own if their was a direct benefit. When you brought up the bit about some kids preferring to be an athletes, that's it exactly. You can't get a scholarship for being an avid reader. You might get better SAT scores, but...
I feel like the YouTube/Nerdfighter community has reignited my love for reading. John and Hank and the other lovely people I've met through this community have made me realize how much I loved reading as a kid and how much I still love it. So I guess I'm a reader now :-P
I loved to read when I was in elementary school and whatnot. I didn't have a lot of friends so I much preferred reading on the playground to attempting to get kids to like me. Then I moved to Philadelphia, got some friends, got involved with sports and the arts, but still found some time to read. I think high school really killed reading for me. I was so overwhelmed with my activities and schoolwork and just wasn't interested in what we were reading for class. (cont.)
I can't really tell you how or why, but I've always been the athlete-girly-tomboy-reader. From a very young age I've been into all of those things. I loved romping outside, playing with barbies, doing computer games, gymnastics, dancing, reading, blah blahblah. Since I was that way when I was younger, even though I'm many times too busy to read, when being crushed by schoolwork and swimming (go competitive swimmers!!), I still consider myself a reader and love to do so as often as I can.
But really, I agree about it being largely a time issue. I read a ton when I was younger, then fell out of it around middle school when I got busier, also the same time it became less cool and having a social life suddenly became important. Through middle school and highschool I only read HP and what I had to for school. Then both highschool and baseball ended and I started reading a lot and haven't stopped.
I guess my journey to becoming a reader was finding the right book.
I need at least an hour in a store or library trying to find a story that calls me, so finding a book seems to be luck. (I always end up with less popular books).
I think the book sparked my flame was called "Zenda and the Gazing Ball". The only reason I probably picked it was because of the colorful cover, I think I was 9. But, every since, in summers I devour 3-4 books in a short amount of time.
I've always been an avid reader from the very first moment I learned how to read in first grade. I was that girl who borrowed 50+ books and stayed inside for hours finishing all of them. But I usually read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi. Only when I took AP Lang and AP Lit did I start to enjoy reading a lot of non-fiction and the literary classics. And thanks to John Green, I'm absolutely in love with The Great Gatsby! Enjoyed watching your video! Very eloquent. :)
whatsupkasiej 7 months ago
I can genuinely relate to this. I didn't enjoy reading until about a year ago (after my 19th birthday) about the same time I ended my piano training. I agree with you when you said that you had too many things to do. As a child, my parents signed me up for every possible extra activity. I took various dance lessons for 14 years, art lessons, musical instruments, and then some. But once everything had been completed, reading didn't seem as boring. Today, I'd actually prefer reading.
sunshiinemk 8 months ago
I read a *lot* as a child. Sherlock Holmes was probably my favorite. But I guess I "grew out of it" until late in high school. I appreciated what I was reading in class, but I had no desire to read. Then I found the theatrical play section of my school library, and I was hooked again.
lesliefoundhergrail 8 months ago
I didn't like reading when I was younger either.
I got into reading because of Call of the Wild by Jack London. I chose to read it for a book report in 6th grade for two reasons: 1) It was short. 2) It had a cute picture of a dog. Now it's one of my favorite books of all time. xD
dmfriend25 8 months ago
I used to read a LOT when I was a kid up to when I was 15/16, school, homework and friends kept me busy, plus I discovered the internet. I never gave up on books, I've always had a book that I was reading, it just took me longer. I have to admit that I haven't read Harry Potter DH until the beginning of 2010 although I've had the book since it came out. I KNOW D: anyways, ever since I've read it a couple of times I find myself reading a lot more books these days. :)
affenonkel 8 months ago
Yeah I wouldn't really have considered myself a reader until this year. Like you said, I've just never really had the time. My intellectual stamina just wasn't enough for both school and pleasure reading, especially when I was required to spend so much time on music. Now that I'm more mature and mentally strong, I guess I'm more able to read for pleasure. It also helps that school is done now. My dad said he was pretty much the same way in college, so I guess some things don't change.
fizzylimon 8 months ago
I've read five novels in the past two weeks. When I was young (ages 11-19) that was about average for me. I got sick in 2000 and found myself barely able to read a sentence - it took me years to reacquire the ability. Worth the work, but I can never take it for granted again.
TheSandykidd 8 months ago
I'm taking AP Lang next year. (I'm scared!) Over the summer we have to read The Last Lecture, 1984, Candide, and The Origin of Species. and I am slightly ashamed to say that I am not much of a reader :( I like reading books and all, but school just sucks the life out of me and I'm more interested in math and science.
llamaindisguise 8 months ago
@llamaindisguise AP Lang is fun! Don't be too worried about it. :D It's great to be more interested in math and science, not everyone on the Internet can be a book nerd. XD
emmfan09 8 months ago
I started reading the first grade, loved the Hey Aurthur books. Other kids would find reading so miserable, I was amused by stories. Then in 4th grade someone gave me a Harry Potter book and I never stop reading them over and over again. X' D
I love reading, in fact, I just started reading books more towards werewolves than Vampires. Werewolves are amazing. = )
I used to read Harry Potter once or more every summer depending on how bored I was. X' D. It distracted me in school often.
L3TT3RFairy 8 months ago
I'm reading Grapes of Wrath at the moment, 'cause I'm gonna be in a play of it. I'm enjoying it but it drags a bit.
aquatius5 8 months ago
@aquatius5 The beginning totally drags on forever, and I didn't like that at first, but the part where it stops dragging until the end is amazing.
emmfan09 8 months ago
@emmfan09 Yeah I'm enjoying it a lot more now.
aquatius5 8 months ago
I always hated the thought of reading. It was until Half-Blood Prince that I read a book just for the enjoyment of it. I would now call myself a casual reader. I don't read that often, but I will read if I've got nothing else to do.
Voldey 8 months ago
Ryan, i cannot tell you how much i enjoyed this video. i love how you think and rationalise.
GoAlybongo 8 months ago
I started being an avid reader ("avid reader") three or four years ago after I read Paper Towns (John Green changed my life!) Yeah, I'd read a lot more if I didn't spend so much time on Netflix/YouTube.
coralinehope 8 months ago
I find it harder to read now that I'm more involved with the internet, and I feel like there are so many more distractions that stop me from reading than there were when I was younger. That said, I usually read the most in the summer as reading for fun is easier that reading because I have to, which is probably why a lot of teenagers don't read because they associate it with reading for school, which is often tedious.
RebeccaInTheTARDIS 8 months ago
Books are lovely, but i'm an extremely visual person, it's hard for me to read them.
iliveonplanetspace 8 months ago
For me it was Harry Potter, yes. When I was 11. But before that I read The Little Prince, so also that one a little bit.
amongbeyo 8 months ago
I've always loved reading. Boxcar Children, Wayside School, Where the Red Fern Grows when I was younger. I kinda love this words over your face style. It fits you. especially that last little bit with the "read."
Justtubed 8 months ago
I became an avid reader at age three or four.
I don't read as much as I'd like to anymore. I'd read a lot more if I weren't so active on Youtube.
NowWeAreAllTom 8 months ago
The past school year, I only read school-assigned books, which were great, but I'm an avid independent reader as well, so I was kinda beating myself up for not getting to it, but, as you said, I didn't think I had enough time with school and all. So I made a list of books to read that I compiled throughout the year, and now I'm reading almost every day, realizing that I should have made time for this earlier.
mxm1117 8 months ago
I think I'm the opposite to you. I read all the time when I was little, I took books with me everywhere. Then in secondary school I just...stopped? Now I only tend to read in the Summer. Strange.
KateyMateyLaa 8 months ago
I only started loving to read when I was a Freshman in High school and read the 5th book of Harry Potter. I failed reading in 4th grade and was always struggling with it so I completely relate.
ccoledude 8 months ago
I SQUEED WHEN I SAW YOU IN MY SUB BOX! :] I've been reading a lot. I just finished Hunger Games, I get Catching Fire tomorrow. I've been reading since before I could do it myself. My mother read to me before I learned for myself. I spent so many summers at the library growing up.
supersharayah 8 months ago
Really like the text on the screen. In makes this really... multimedia-y. Fantastic idea.
UsingATelescope 8 months ago
I'm starting to get more into reading, thanks to John Green and the vlogbrothers haha
Schubes17 8 months ago
I think it's awesome that you became a reader, late or not.
evmoneyTV 8 months ago
This was a really thoughtful video and I like it a lot. I can't remember not reading, although my earliest memory of loving it passionately was in kindergarten, sitting under the table during reading time and being very happy.
hotpinkelephant11 8 months ago
Read them. I first read a book cover to cover in one sitting in grade 6, but I still don't know if I can call myself an avid reader like other people can. I just don't do it as much as w wish I could.
dynamitekatie 8 months ago
I still don't read as much as I know I should or would like to. I read at night because that is the only time I get to read, and reading makes me drowsy, so I don't get books read very quickly. When I read a fantastic book that I adore, I will read it non-stop as long as I am in a place where I can hold a book (not volleyball practice, but all day in class) I first started reading behind my binder in grade 5, but I am becoming more and more interested in books, even with less and less time to r
dynamitekatie 8 months ago
i really liked the text on the video! That was a nice touch! I will admit I fangirled a little when you said my name :D
While I am an avid reader, I find it very difficult to read books for school. I think it might be because reading has always been a recreational activity for me, and I don't like being forced to read. I hope as I get older, I'll start to enjoy my Lit classes :)
ActuallyAlexa 8 months ago
I've been an avid reader pretty much since I learned to read, so about six years old. For me, it was this rebelious activity, that made me stand out from the other kids, none of which read for fun. Then, as I hit puberty, it became a way to rebel against adults. "You can't tell me what to do! I'm gonna read Post Office instead of the summer assignments, if I want!" I've grown out of that, but I think it helped that I saw reading as cool, so I never gave it up to fit in.
ThatBookGirl 8 months ago
How did I miss this little Twitter survey of yours? Weird. Instead of actually answering the question of when I became a reader here in the comments, I'll make a video about it instead. Motivation FTW!
orangesho13es 8 months ago
I think I came out of the womb reading...
gryffindorxo 8 months ago
I've always been both an active reader and a combat warrior.
lauradoestheastro 8 months ago
@lauradoestheastro I'd like to think that you read during the day and engage in secret missions at night.
emmfan09 8 months ago
BEAUTIFUL
elizziebooks 8 months ago
You're completely right. As you get older, there just isn't nearly enough time. I used to read a LOT as a kid (although, I also didn't have the internet). Plus, the books just get bigger!
I feel like kids would make more effort to read on their own if their was a direct benefit. When you brought up the bit about some kids preferring to be an athletes, that's it exactly. You can't get a scholarship for being an avid reader. You might get better SAT scores, but...
hellolover99 8 months ago
I feel like the YouTube/Nerdfighter community has reignited my love for reading. John and Hank and the other lovely people I've met through this community have made me realize how much I loved reading as a kid and how much I still love it. So I guess I'm a reader now :-P
outsidergirl 8 months ago
I loved to read when I was in elementary school and whatnot. I didn't have a lot of friends so I much preferred reading on the playground to attempting to get kids to like me. Then I moved to Philadelphia, got some friends, got involved with sports and the arts, but still found some time to read. I think high school really killed reading for me. I was so overwhelmed with my activities and schoolwork and just wasn't interested in what we were reading for class. (cont.)
outsidergirl 8 months ago
I can't really tell you how or why, but I've always been the athlete-girly-tomboy-reader. From a very young age I've been into all of those things. I loved romping outside, playing with barbies, doing computer games, gymnastics, dancing, reading, blah blahblah. Since I was that way when I was younger, even though I'm many times too busy to read, when being crushed by schoolwork and swimming (go competitive swimmers!!), I still consider myself a reader and love to do so as often as I can.
lidiluvu 8 months ago
But really, I agree about it being largely a time issue. I read a ton when I was younger, then fell out of it around middle school when I got busier, also the same time it became less cool and having a social life suddenly became important. Through middle school and highschool I only read HP and what I had to for school. Then both highschool and baseball ended and I started reading a lot and haven't stopped.
thepeteris 8 months ago
Psh, reading is for girls and nerds.
thepeteris 8 months ago
This was really great!
I guess my journey to becoming a reader was finding the right book.
I need at least an hour in a store or library trying to find a story that calls me, so finding a book seems to be luck. (I always end up with less popular books).
I think the book sparked my flame was called "Zenda and the Gazing Ball". The only reason I probably picked it was because of the colorful cover, I think I was 9. But, every since, in summers I devour 3-4 books in a short amount of time.
ntcssj 8 months ago