The Importance of Reading
Aryana Mahasseni
I have always loved reading. Some of my earliest memories involve staying up past my bedtime just to finish one more chapter or carrying a book with me everywhere in case I had a few spare minutes to read. While the stories themselves were entertaining, I did not realize at the time how much reading was shaping the way I viewed the world.
Reading has a unique ability to slow us down. Most of our daily lives revolve around quick information. We scroll through short videos, skim headlines, and move from one notification to the next. A book asks something different from us. It asks for our attention. It asks us to sit with ideas, follow complex thoughts, and spend time considering perspectives that may be very different from our own.
One reason reading is so valuable is because it teaches us how to think critically. When we read, we are constantly making judgments. We consider whether a narrator is trustworthy, why an author chose a certain word, or what message is hidden beneath the surface of a story. Good readers learn to look beyond what is immediately obvious. They notice patterns, question assumptions, and search for deeper meaning. Those same skills are useful far beyond the pages of a book. They help us evaluate information online, understand current events, and make informed decisions.
Reading has also changed the way I understand other people. Through books, I have experienced lives that look nothing like my own. I have traveled to different countries, lived through different time periods, and viewed situations through the eyes of countless characters. Even when a story is fictional, the emotions often feel real. That experience builds empathy. It reminds us that every person carries their own perspective, struggles, and experiences.
There are practical benefits as well. Reading naturally expands vocabulary, strengthens writing skills, and improves communication. The more I read, the more I notice how authors construct sentences, develop arguments, and tell compelling stories. Strong writing rarely appears out of nowhere. Behind it is usually someone who has spent years reading and absorbing the work of others. I also think reading gives us something that is becoming increasingly rare: patience. Not every answer arrives instantly in a book. Sometimes understanding develops slowly over the course of hundreds of pages. Sometimes a theme only becomes clear after finishing the final chapter. That process teaches persistence and rewards curiosity.
One of my favorite things about reading is that every book leaves something behind. Some books introduce a new idea. Others challenge a belief I already held. A few stay with me for years because of a single sentence or character. Even books I do not enjoy usually teach me something. The experience is never completely wasted. Many people see reading as a school assignment or an old-fashioned pastime. I see it differently. Reading opens doors. It connects us to knowledge, stories, and perspectives that we would never encounter otherwise. A person can sit in one room and still explore centuries of history, distant cultures, and entirely new ways of thinking.
The books on my shelf have entertained me, challenged me, and occasionally humbled me. More importantly, they have helped me become a more thoughtful person. That is why reading continues to matter. Long after the cover is closed, the ideas remain, quietly influencing how we see the world and how we understand the people around us.
Mendoza, Pedro. Quoted in “National Literacy Day: How Classroom Libraries Are Transforming Education in Central America.” School the World, School the World, 2025,https://schooltheworld.org/blogs/national-literacy-day-classroom-libraries/.
“National Literacy Day: How Classroom Libraries Are Transforming Education in Central America.” School the World, School the World, 2025,
https://schooltheworld.org/blogs/national-literacy-day-classroom-libraries/.
Rodríguez, Alejandro. “Reading Between the Leaves: The Importance of Being a Good Reader.”
Harvard Griffin GSAS, Harvard University, 22 Nov. 2024,https://gsas.harvard.edu/news/reading-between-leaves-importance-being-good-reader.
“The Benefits of Reading.” Western Wyoming Community College, Western Wyoming Community College,
https://www.westernwyoming.edu/blogs/learning/arts-humanities/communications/the-benefits-of-reading.php.
Aryana Mahasseni is going to start her study at UCLA in fall. She is passionate about social justice, environmental issues, and exploring different cultures. Alongside her writing, she enjoys playing guitar and songwriting, often finding inspiration in her experiences. Aryana also cherishes spending time with friends and family and aims to use storytelling as a tool for advocacy, to inspire change, and to strengthen community bonds. Aryana is an ISSD graduate.
