Reading is Breathing by Liam

Reading is Breathing by Liam - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

I used to read. On most occasions I read on purpose, believe it or not. I had a laundry list of novels under mystery, action, and fantasy. I read to get away; I read to enjoy quiet days when it rained; I read to read. My lexile score was four grades above my own. Reading was just another word for breathing. Then I stopped. I can't remember exactly when, although I'm sure it was summer since I wasn't required to read. I can recall starting to gather an interest in video games (as any teenager does) and turning the "Maze Runner books" into "any Netflix t.v. show". There is nothing inherently bad about Netflix, but it allowed to me to let go of my interest in book and become engulfed in a new world. It wasn't a very apocalyptic point in my life, although it seemed I was loosing touch with concepts and critical thinking.
The first week in September I read again. School started late August and since I was taking an AP Literature class, reading was on the agenda. Mrs. Demgen proved to me what I had let go of. I finally had a chance to regain my love of literature. The book I read was "The Road" by Cormic McCarthy, a simplistic book but very immersive. Since then, Mrs. Demgen had inspired me to start my own book collection. I now own "Fahrenheit 451", "The Road", "My Grandmother Told Me To Tell You She's Sorry", and soon "In The Time Of The Butterflies."
I know most people consider reading to be a leisure, Mrs. Demgen had taught me it to be a necessity. Ever since I started reading again, my grades have rising. I have a better time considering options and being definitive about my thoughts. I thank myself for pursing literature, but most of all I thank Mrs. Demgen for "stoking the old flames" within me.