The Truly Wonderful Book of Greatness by Morgan

The Truly Wonderful Book of Greatness by Morgan - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

It lays on the table, brand new and no fingerprints. It cries as it watches its owner pick up a controller and turn on the television instead of leafing through its glorious pages. A dying hobby. Reading. There is no motivation for people to read anymore and it is quite depressing. I have read more books then I could count and for that I’m a “nerd.” But what people fail to realize is that books actually help with writing and comprehending in their everyday lives. Though writing does not seem important, it is when filling out a resume or paper work for a job, or future job. One needs to sound intelligent and professional. Well to help with ones writing, it is efficient to grab a book and start reading.

One book that I personally think that everyone should read is Atonement. It is a book that shows the struggles of different characters and their journey through a horrible situation. From misinterpretation, love, heartbreak, to a type of atonement, this book makes one feel many emotions. There are various reasons why everyone should read this book in high school, but the main reason is simply that the book is very helpful for essay writing. I read this particular book my junior year of high school when I took AP Literature. When it came time to take the nationwide AP exam, it was easy to relate Atonement to any essay topic because the book had so many hidden meanings and different perspectives that related to society today.

Not only was Atonement effective for exams but also was an enjoyable read. It doesn’t just teach someone to write well but gives life lessons, as cheesy as that sounds. One of the main characters, Briony, misinterprets an interaction between her sister and her sister’s lover. One thing leads to another and instead of being put in jail he goes into the army. Focusing on this part in the story and how it affects the rest of the book, made me realize that our actions do have consequences and that we really need to think before we act. Bringing this to a teenager’s attention is really important in high school; the decisions they make at this point in their lives could affect them for quite along time. Whether that action is bullying, cheating, lying, stealing or making bad health decisions.
It can be boring learning life lessons and if you explain to a teenager that that is the point of the book then they will never read it. Thankfully Atonement comes with action, drama and romance that apply to the whole spectrum of students. The students will learn while also enjoying a good read. It is one of my favorite books and has an interesting twist at the end. Atonement should definitely be read in high school or before the students graduate because where else are you going to find an educational book that is also to die for.