Love and Hate Relationship with Reading - Essay Example

26 March Love/Hate Relationship with Reading It is possible to hate reading, only to love it forever afterwards. This is what Stephanie Whipple says in her essay, “One Great Book.” This narrative essay describes how Whipple loses and regains her interest in reading. She recollects losing her motivation to read, when she learns that her brother can read better than she does. Whipple regains her reading interest, when circumstances forced her to read a book. I can relate to her story, because I once hated reading too, until I found that one great book, or rather story, of my life.

I hated reading for the same reasons that Whipple did; I did not find myself an exceptional reader compared to my peers. While I was still learning how to read two-syllable words, my classmates could already read four-syllable words with ease. I felt inferior and I hated reading ever since. My uncle was the one who kept on nagging me to read books, so he brought me novels and stories to push me to read again. I only learned to love reading, after I read “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Her story depicts the vividness of inhumanity and how violence can be turned into a social norm.

After that experience, I loved reading, especially short stories. Reading is something I used to hate like Whipple. Thankfully, I found a story that persuaded me that reading is fun and exciting. Jackson opened my world to new realities, perceptions, and ideas. Because of her story, I realized that I limited myself by not reading. Through reading, I learn more about my society and other societies, and even more about myself. I love reading now and will love it evermore. Work Cited Whipple, Stephanie.

One Great Book.