3 Reasons to Actually Read the Book

By Charlotte Pak

I promised to write an article about not just relying on online review guides to complete your reading assignments. I know, high school students are busy (no, not middle school students, sorry → tough love), but there are high school students that read for fun. Yes, really. And no, I’m not the only one. (I sense your ridicule, fellow students ;-) )

1. Online review guides lack the minute details

Scenario: you are taking your quiz or test, and suddenly there is a rather specific question that you have no idea how to answer because you only read the online review. If you had read the book, you might have known this small, significant detail. Besides, some teachers and most professors are aware that some students may be too lazy to read the book, so they put in those questions.

2. Nothing is better than reading the actual style of the writer.

I mean, let’s face it. Shakespeare is not Shakespeare without iambic pentameter. And what is any classic book without sophisticated vocabulary? On a serious note, every word, every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter, and every book has a purposeful role. The author chose to write in such a manner to subtly present his point even further. And besides, reading good writing makes you a good writer. Do you want to write like the guys who write the guides, or the ever famous Ernest Hemingway? At least, your English teachers would very much like another Hemingway in their classroom.

3.     *Your own analysis and opinions are what counts*

Alright, I admit it. The online review guide guys are pretty brilliant at analysis. You could simply read their thoughts on the books. But, everyone has their own unique thoughts about these books. If you can’t read online review guides and explain why you may agree or disagree with their analyses, you shouldn’t be reading them. Teachers and professors are interested in your thoughts, observations, and opinions about a written work, not someone else’s. Learning to analyze characters and stories on your own can help you actively observe the environment and people that surround your daily life. If you can predict and infer something about a character, then you will be able to predict and infer something about the real life people around you.

These same reasons also apply to watching movies instead. A great example would The Great Gatsby. Whether you watch the 1974 or the 2013, you are actually watching the interpretations of the directors and actors of the films. Although both are fairly close to the story, they do not make room for your own analysis and opinion. (No, this is not the time to talk about Leonardo DiCaprio)

I am not opposed to online review guides and films; the former is a useful review tool, and the latter is good for entertainment. However, the actual book is a different medium, and nothing is better than reading the original source. So, do yourself a favor and read the actual book.