Personal Response to ‘Room’
During our introductory lecture of Literacy of Understanding we were informed that we had a novel- ‘Room’. I dreaded the prospect of reading this novel as the last time that read a novel was during my study of Higher English. But since reading ‘Room’ this has completely changed my outlook and attitude towards reading. When I was little my parents would always read to me and this influenced my habits of being a reader until my mid-teens.
I doubtlessly stopped reading for pleasure in fifth year of school as I had other priorities of studying for my Highers. Before then during my younger teens I was an avid reader and found contentment in reading by discovering new cultures and gathering a greater understanding of the current world in which we live in, but also the past world. During this time, I did find fulfilment in reading novels, my particular genres varied, I went through stages when I liked horror fiction, girl fiction and fantasy fiction. Sometimes if I got interested in a subject topic I studied at school this would influence my reading choices. For instance, during second year History I studied American Civil Rights therefore during this period I read the ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ and ‘The Help’. Reading books related to school I was able to gain a further understanding and knowledge. Reflecting back, I believe if I kept reading novels I would have more creative writing flare and a more styled style of writing, but intimating the authors that I read.
Presently I prefer to read current and in date texts such as newspapers and magazines. I am increasingly inclined to read broadsheet newspapers such as ‘The Times’, ‘The Herald’ and The Guardian’. The writing methodology of the editors influence my writing style, but at time their lexicon and language can be complex to understand.
Why do I not choose to read fiction presently? That was a question that I pondered about. Why I do not choose to read is partially all excuses- I don’t have any time to read, I don’t find reading enjoying, I cannot find any fiction that standouts.
However, since reading ‘Room’, in which I enjoyed reading has changed my view on reading. The initial pages of ‘Room’ did not interest me in the slightest but as the novel developed I became intrigue by the plot especially when Ma and Jack where planning their escape from ‘Room’ and understand how they would adjust to life on the outside. ‘Room’ is definitely a book that I would recommend to read, as I found it profoundly moving and conveys a world being locked away from society and the bond of mother and son.
Reading ‘Room’ has highlighted the importance to myself that I have to read more breath of fictions and I should not just read the first few pages and get discourage if I am not fond of the plot or characters. Reading a scope fictions allows you to gain a better understanding of the world and varying situations that humans find themselves in.
Undoubtfully it has changed my view on using novels for academic reading, reading ‘Room’ reinforced the aspects of language development present in young children and their tendencies as young speakers, as Jack language highlighted the development of his and shows that situations can impair facets of language.
