Reading Even if Your Friends Don’t

by First Mate Keira

Do you love reading? Do your friends think reading is dumb? Do they make fun of you for reading books outside of assignments? Don’t worry you’re not the only reader who has gone through something like this.

Reading today is either an activity that is loved or hated. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground. In school where your actions can and are sometimes influenced by your peers and your friends, it’s imperative that you stand firm on issues that are important to you, like reading.

Don’t let them destroy your passion for reading. They’re not worth it. Trust me. Friends will come and go but books will stay with you forever.

So how do you keep on reading even when your friends don’t? It seems impossible, but depending on how vocal they are and your own personality you have a lot of options.

1. Blow Them Off. Read anyway. Even in front of them. Maybe you’ll turn your friends into readers.
2. Defend Your Position. Explain why you love reading. They will probably back off once you do because nobody can argue with personal experience.
3. Read at Home. Don’t read at school if it’s too much drama. Liking to read isn’t something to be ashamed of but if you’re hoping to avoid confrontations this is an easy option.
4. Challenge Them. Get them to try one of your favorite book or series. If you can share the same enthusiasm for certain books you can start doing bookish things together like attending midnight parties and releases.
5. Make New Friends. Get together with people who like to read. Start a club. You don’t have to ditch your old friends to do this so don’t worry. It’ll just help you expand your friend base.
6. Listen to Audio Books. Switch from print to audio and nobody will ever know. Listen to books on the way to and from school no matter your transportation (bus, bike, foot, carpool, etc) by plugging an audio book into your iPod. People will just think you’re listening to music.
7. Sometimes you just have to say, "That's nice, but I just don't feel the same." Feelings like experiences can't be argued and your response gives very little for your non-reading friend to go on and the argument will just die down.

My best advice? Just keep reading!

• 5 Ways to Set and Meet Reading Goals
• Movie Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles directed by Mark Waters
• Get Bored While Reading? Kiss Boredom Goodbye in 6 Quick Steps
• What Books to Pack on Vacation
• 5 Reasons Why You Should Read with a Buddy
• Audio Review: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (Book 4) by Eoin Colfer

• 7 Musts For Every Romance Story and Author
• So You're Looking for the Best Stamp Collecting Books
• The New Glucose Revolution By Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller, Thomas M.S. Wolever, Kaye Foster-Powell, Stephen Colagiuri, Thomas Wolever
• The End of Summer Came Fast
• Twilight (the movie)
• Review: Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

• Brass & Woodwind Song Books Sheet Music & Song Books
• For Fat People Clothing Running Exercise & Fitness
• Francie, Casey & Twiggy Friends & Family Barbie Vintage (Pre-1973) Dolls Dolls & Bears
• Love They Neighbor Plaques & Signs Garden Decor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• People Contemporary (1970-Now) Miniatures Dollhouse Miniatures Dolls & Bears