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1. Sitting on Reading Carpets in the Library (Age 4 / Pre - K )
Some of my earliest reading memories come from sitting cross-legged on the big colorful carpet in the school library. It was one of the first times I felt like reading was a shared experience. I remember listening closely as the librarian read picture books aloud while holding them wide so we could all see the pages. It made books feel like something special — something I wanted to be a part of. -
2. Popcorn Reading in Primary School (1st grade)
Popcorn reading was both exciting and terrifying. I would count ahead to figure out which paragraph was mine, rehearse it in my head, and totally miss everything else in the story. Looking back, I realize this kind of reading made me more nervous than confident. Still, it taught me that being able to read aloud mattered - even if I didn’t love the method. -
3. Going to the Library with My Dad (Age 7)
My dad and I used to go to the library together all the time. He never rushed me. I would wander the aisles, flipping through books, and he’d help me find things that matched what I liked. It was peaceful and made me feel like my reading choices mattered. That time together helped me associate books with love, comfort, and curiosity. -
4. Second Grade Reading Packets Sent Home
In second grade, we were sent home with book bags and reading logs every week. I would curl up on the couch and read them aloud to my mom or dad. Then they'd sign the sheet and help me fill in a little reflection. It made me feel grown-up and responsible, like reading was something to be proud of - not just schoolwork. -
5. Discovering Geronimo Stilton (2nd Grade)
The first time I opened a Geronimo Stilton book, I was hooked. The wild fonts, fun words, bright illustrations, and funny plots made me actually want to read. I remember laughing at the puns and flipping through the pages fast, hoping for more colorful words and secret codes. Those books were a huge favorite of mine, they made reading feel like an adventure. -
6. Reading Junie B. Jones After School (3rd Grade)
I loved Junie B. Jones because she had so much attitude and personality. She wasn’t perfect, and that made her feel real. I used to act out her lines or reread the funny parts out loud to anyone who would listen. These books helped me connect to characters on a deeper level and started my love for fiction with strong voices. -
7. Reading Fahrenheit 451 in 8th Grade
Fahrenheit 451 changed the way I looked at reading. It wasn’t just a story, it was a warning. The book challenged me to think about censorship, the power of ideas, and what we lose when we stop thinking for ourselves. It was the first time a book gave me goosebumps and made me feel like I was holding something dangerous - in the best way. We also watched the movie as a class and compared them! -
8. Reading The Outsiders as a Class (8th Grade)
We read The Outsiders out loud together, and something about it felt different. Everyone in class was into it - even the people who never usually paid attention. We got quiet during the sad parts, laughed together, and talked about the characters like they were real. It was the first time I saw how a book could bring people together. -
10. Reading Aloud to My Neices and Kids I Babysit
These days, I read stories to my neices and to the kids I babysit. It feels like I’ve come full circle - from the kid on the library carpet to the person holding the book. I’ve realized that reading aloud is a gift. Seeing kids get excited about a story or giggle at a character’s voice is the best reminder of why reading matters. -
9. Reading The Song of Achilles as a Young Adult (Junior Year)
I read The Song of Achilles on my own, and it completely swept me away. The writing was beautiful and the story was heartbreaking. It made me cry, and I don’t usually cry from books. It reminded me that language has power, and that great books don’t just entertain us, they change us. It renewed my love for reading as an adult.