Think books are boring? Think again!

Just for Fun

Books can offer some of the most exciting adventures of your life, if only you know where to look. A lot of students are biased against books because school assigned readings can seem forced and unnecessary. In reality, there are books that are as adventurous and lively as any movie or video game out there.

My favorite genre of books is mystery novels. I have always enjoyed solving riddles and puzzles, reading books such as Encyclopedia Brown from a young age. As I grew up I continued to read more complex mysteries. Agatha Christie (my favorite author), for instance, has written dozens of books and hundreds of short stories that feature sleuths like Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple, who baffle their friends and solve crimes with ease. Sherlock Holmes, of course, is the most famous literary detective of all time. I love mystery books because I can play along, trying to solve the crime along with the detective; unfortunately, I almost never guess the criminal correctly.

Another exciting genre of books is action and fantasy. Often, college students assume that a book can never have action, because it only has words, and could never live up to the latest James Bond film. That could not be further from the truth! Not only are books amazingly active, but they also inspire popular movies and T.V. shows all the time: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones are recent examples of this phenomenon. These books kindle the imagination by combining reality with magic, triggering dreams of heroism and greatness.

After Thanksgiving, we are having a Book Swap at the Writing Center (Hill Hall 111). I encourage you to stop by, grab a book or two, and try out a new genre. Who knows? You might find one that excites even you!

Barnabas, peer tutor