In a fast-paced world where the noise of our daily lives can often drown out the voice of our thoughts, a sanctuary exists - the world of books. As I reflect on my journey, it's clear that reading has been a constant companion that has helped shape my life. Join me as we explore the transformation that occurred when I delved into the pages of literature, allowing the written word to penetrate the essence of my being.
When I was growing up, I wouldn't say I liked reading. I could only learn by watching videos or having someone read to me. Sitting down and looking at endless words on paper didn't interest me. However, I was constantly told to read to improve my academic skills and speak my native language fluently.
Growing Up In Bangladesh
I was born and raised in Bangladesh, a British colony from 1757 to 1947. In 1947, the British Raj was partitioned, and East Bengal became part of Pakistan while West Bengal became part of India. However, in 1971, the Bengali people initiated a revolt against Pakistani rule, which resulted in Bangladesh gaining independence.
Despite being born in the 1990s and Bengali being the only language of Bengali people, the influence of British colonization was still prevalent. Even today, the English schools and curriculums created by the British still exist. Since my first day of education, I have been expected to excel in Bengali, English, and Arabic. Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country. I was highly encouraged to learn Arabic. Maybe I hated reading because I was constantly bombarded with books in three different languages since childhood.
After spending so much on private Arabic lessons, I forgot how to read and write. I can still read and write in English and Bengali because I kept practicing. Things would have been better if I had been encouraged to learn multiple languages at my own pace instead of being forced to.
Life in the US
My life changed dramatically when I moved to the United States and attended high school. I was taught by an ESL teacher, a multilingual Hispanic American with a great passion for reading. He used to read novels several times and place sticky notes and markers on his books — something I had never seen before. I vividly recall skimming through his copy of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, and it was covered in so many sticky notes and highlights as if he had been researching the book.
He did something that no other teacher had ever done before. He gave us the freedom to choose what we wanted to read. His classroom had a big shelf filled with books of different genres, sorted by ESL levels. He asked us to pick a book, read it to determine our ESL level, and then write a two-page report on what we learned. I selected the ESL 3 edition of "The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe. This book was not only the first one I read but also the first one I ever finished. From a boy who loathed reading, I transformed into a teenager who spent his time reading books during his public subway and bus rides. This transition was a development of my character, all thanks to this novel.
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." — Frederick Douglass.
Daniel Defoe's "The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its survival, resilience, and self-discovery tale. On a deserted island, Robinson Crusoe navigates solitude and nature's challenges. The novel depicts the protagonist's evolution from a shipwreck survivor to a self-sufficient individual with depth and nuance. It explores themes of isolation, companionship, and the indomitable human spirit. The book not only made me love reading but also motivated me to learn, adapt, and overcome challenges as a Bengali immigrant teenager in the United States. The book was a major driving force behind my decision to graduate high school and attend college.
College and Beyond
In my first semester of college, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When it finally came out, it was like a huge festival. I've always considered myself a Star Wars fan because I've seen the movies, but I quickly realized there was so much more to it. My college friends read Star Wars novels and comic books, collected action figures, and dressed up in costumes. They were the true fans, and I felt I was nothing compared to them. That's when I discovered that there was such a thing as a movie novelization. This book provides a detailed description of a movie's plot and settings. As a big movie fan, I found reading a novelization of a film I had already watched fun because it allowed me to visualize scenes and characters more vividly. Greg Cox's "Man of Steel: The Official Movie Novelization" is one of the best movie novelizations I've ever read.
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss.
During my college days, I had to enroll in an English literature class after completing two semesters of freshman writing courses. I opted for a World Literature course, which a professor from New England instructed. The professor's research interests were focused on British Modernism and the experiences of bilingual Westerners. He was an exceptional professor who emphasized the importance of reading a text twice to conduct a detailed analysis.
I read several books for my World Literature class, but the one I enjoyed the most was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The book tells a fascinating story that effortlessly blends fantasy and philosophy. Essentially, the novel is about survival and self-discovery, taking readers on an extraordinary physical and spiritual journey.
After some time, I came across Audible, which was everything I had hoped for. It allowed me to listen to books during my commutes by subway, bus, plane, and any other free time. However, I still use my Kindle to read and keep some hard copies of books on which I can take notes.
"Books are a uniquely portable magic." — Stephen King
As I kept reading, I grew interested in writing book and movie reviews and sharing my opinions. This eventually led me to Medium, a great platform to motivate me. The best part is that all you need to begin with is the freedom to choose what you read.
