For overworked high school students, summer is a magical time, a two-month period where anything can be done. However, being able to do anything is different from doing nothing. Summer is a time to be filled with hanging out with friends, eating good food, and procrastinating until the last week- then one must complete their summer assignments. However, I think any summer isn’t complete without a little reading.

There are many who claim to hate reading, probably because they haven’t found a genre they appreciate. We as students are usually exposed to the same classical style books throughout our school experience. Some of us don’t enjoy reading 16th century prose; the thou’s and wilt’s make us uncomfortable. But just because “Macbeth” was the most painful experience ever doesn’t mean the written word is suddenly off limits.

I truly feel sorry for those who have only watched the “Harry Potter” movies. One Christmas, during one of my elementary school years, I received. While the trunk was destroyed by my brother somehow long ago, the memories of reading the books still exist today. There are so many movies and TV shows born from books, and in most cases the book is far better than the video adaption. Fans of any book-turned-movie or TV show are doing themselves a disservice by extending their 9-year-old grudge against “Tom Sawyer” to all books. I’m looking at you, Katniss and Lannister fans.

Maybe there was one book that really stood out to you during class. If you’re not a reader, it’s because you didn’t realize that that one book has so many others like it; all of them worthy of your time. Former Nancy Drew fans can find new mysteries in Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie’s books. If you liked “Skyfall,” John le Carré has books that could interest you. Maybe even read the books, which are way better than the movies, that James Bond was first created in. The opportunities are endless.

Whatever your favorite movie genre is, there are hundreds if not thousands of books that will suit your taste. The best part is that you don’t need to beg your friend for a Netflix login; free books are right at your local library. And stop whining about transportation issues, most libraries have online sections where you can download books from the comfort of your own bed, you lazy bum.

Literature is something that can’t just be ignored. Start reading. You might even find that you actually enjoy it. And maybe, just maybe, you might start reading the books that were assigned over the summer for English class.