Harry Potter news never will cease to excite me. However, this column is not actually about Harry Potter. In a broad sense it is, but nothing, sadly, too specific. Being an aspiring writer, and technically a published one at that, I make reading one of my main pastimes. I already have considered the possibility that I am preaching to the choir, as to enjoy my wonderful musings, you must read. But with what other reading are you engaging your listless summer minds?
Maybe kids do watch too much television and play too many video games, but as I'm not a parent yet, and as my little brother spends 12-and-a-half hours a day at a computer camp every summer, I can't speak to that fact. Anyway, let's stop worrying about the future generation, at least until we have china rather than solo cups in the cabinet.
Are we reading enough? Last time I was at a bar, no member of the opposite sex asked if I had read any good books lately. Not that I was in any condition to answer that question, but if I had been, I think the conversation would have been much improved. When a book isn't assigned, does it strike you as something you want to do instead of say, gasp, beer pong?
Blasphemy! I know, I embarrass myself even muttering those words, but I've had a fair amount of free time this summer, and I've come up with some fun revelations. Look for more as the school year continues. This one involves my free time at school.
Before this summer I was quite convinced that if I was not in the library or class, I should have some sort of drink in my hand or be planning a way to get that drink there. Occasionally, I went to the gym, watched television, went to see friends, etc., but I don't think I ever, in the past two school years, really tried to make time for reading that wasn't Zumdal's Fifth Edition Chemistry book. Ha.
Now, at home and undistracted by things like other people my age or social activities, I have started to enjoy reading the way I did when I was younger and devoured "The Babysitters Club" and anything by Roald Dahl. Sure, it may have been a bit like rehab, but that worked for Mary Kate. Sort of.
Reading has other bonuses besides increasing your literary awesomeness and making you in general a better conversationalist/writer. I've found my mom is less inclined to make me do mundane tasks if it takes me away from reading. While tanning outside, sometimes I don't notice that I'm totally drenched in sweat because I'm absorbed in a quite interesting chapter. I've learned things like "Sanka" is a type of decaf coffee, which leads to a great joke: What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic?
Best of all, I've found that many people are clandestine readers. Despite many University students' insistence that they are not intellectual or academically curious, they are. Many will discuss books with you even if there's a jack and coke in their hand. Apparently, the key is the initiation of such conversation. Maybe all the readers of The Cavalier Daily are clandestine readers and think I'm a total moron for not realizing all this sooner.
It's possible, but in that case let me assure you I have read enough books this summer to make up for the past two school years and then some. Again, sans travail ... And of course this doesn't apply to those involved in literary societies, or those who forego bars for nights of Hemmingway or another classic-yet-slightly-pretentious writer. We already knew you had a quite enjoyable thing going on -- I always had assumed that joining your ranks meant giving up my college nights (and late afternoons).
So in summary, I have turned into a huge nerd. But I'm okay with that; I don't think anyone's ever looked at me to be pointed in the direction of cool anyway. An example of why: the use of the aforementioned "direction of cool." At least I have yet ever to use the phrase, "cool points," so I've got that going for me.
But when I go to bed at my usual 10 p.m. here, I don't mind being entertained by any number of authors, least of whom is Ms. Rowling (whose book I've finished and am now left waiting again). Even when I start heading back out into the world of Coupe's and its corner compadres and have a $500 reading list of books about soil and Spanish, I plan on keeping the "Reading Rainbow" theme song as a motto.
My current book is called, "Smashed, Story of a Drunken Girlhood." Not ironic at all.
Clare Ondrey can be reached at ondrey@cavalierdaily.com
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