Why I Hate Reading To Me Essay

No one could ever comprehend the hatred I had for reading- no one. Reading to me was just like being deathly ill, stuck inside, watching the neighbors play and know you couldn't join. On Monday morning I sat down in my teacher Mrs. Daniels class. I had a strange feeling reading would be an assignment coming up soon. I was dreading what I knew she was going to say next. “Class you will have 4 weeks to complete this book.” As I heard these words come out of her mouth I lowered myself into my seat like a turtle slowly going into its shell. I felt as if I was drowning and no one could save me until my life was over. Not only did I hate reading but I hated it even more when I was forced to. I thought in my head, “Why. Why make us read a dumb book that will do nothing but take away my social life.” Never did I know the book I was about to read would have such an impact

on my life.
When I thought of the title of the book, Tuesdays with Morrie I continued to think of the next few weeks of my life disappearing into thin air.

I was a typical 6th grader with a love for social time and hatred towards pointless homework. As I was tapping my foot on my creaking wooden desk with my book opened pretending to read, Mr. Daniels was watching over me like a bird that just gave birth to chicken eggs. I had a feeling she was going to ask me a question about what I was reading. I realized from that point on to always trust my instincts. Mrs. Daniels tall toothpick shaped body leaned over and asked me to summarize the first chapter in front of the whole class. Due to not even beginning to read the first page I told her I did not even know where to begin. Since I was not prepared for class, not participating, and being rude about my task at hand I received a punishment. My punishment was every week I had to write a summary in my own words about the chapter I had read. My eyes rolled in the back of my head so far I didn't know if they would ever go back to normal. I knew my life was over at this

point.
Since I was already in trouble enough I decided I would suck it up and read the book. When I got home from school I stopped my feet up to my desk, sat down in my room and began to read. As I started to focus, the reading was not near as bad as I thought. I actually was starting to enjoy the book which was something I never imagined. Me liking reading was just as shocking as a Hillary Clinton supporter ever liking Donald Trump.
The story begins with a man named Paul witnessing his old college professor on television. As he watched the show he discovered that his old college professor Morrie had terminal cancer. Paul was losing sight of everything in his life and thought it would be a good idea to visit this professor. After they met up once they made it a habit to meet every Tuesday and discuss a new topic about life. During this Morries body is deteriorating like an old house being torn to pieces. Although he is suffering he uses his struggles to help Paul to grow a new full heart. While reading this book I realized how important life truly is. As Morrie said, “I don’t allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each morning, a few tears, and that’s all . . . . It’s horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing. But it’s also wonderful because of all the time I get to say goodbye.” (p. 57). My mind finally changed. I realized there was no reason to hate reading. The punishment of actually having to read a book became the best punishment i've ever received. I was given this opportunity to learn more about the life I was living. I felt awful about myself. I realized I was almost as selfish as Atia in the HBO series. I spent so much of my time being angry about having to read, when a dying fragile man appreciated everything about life. Not only did I realize how to appreciate my life but he made me realize nothing is more important spending your life doing what you love. Money will come and go but living a life full of happiness is something money never can buy. I became more thankful for my dad's selfness after reading this book. My dad never traveled because he thought family as more important than making more money. Slowly as Morrie helped Paul to realize what he was missing in life I follow along right with him, like a dog on a leash.
I never realized how much you could actually get out of reading a book you enjoy. My whole mindset changed after reading a book that I thought was going to be the end of the world. I am able to relate to the hardships Morrie encountered and have ways to overcome these setbacks. Now I have an appreciation for reading and I believe by sharing my stories others will be able to have an open mind when it comes to trying a new book. You can never judge a book by its cover. When I start to judge a book without reading it I think of reading as trying a new food. You can't say you don't like it until you give it a try. As I open each new book I read I understand the book is a gift. As once said, “ Garrison Kiellor once said, a book is a gift you can open and open again.” When you have a positive outlook you are able to appreciate things more, especially things you never imagined you would ever be satisfied by. In conclusion I can finally say that I am not the person in the classroom refusing to read. I surprisingly enjoy reading new book. I use the knowledge of different writers to learn deeper and more significant meanings of life, myself, love, relationships, challenges, and more. As an unknown author once said, “ Reading gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.