Why the Freedom to Read Is Important

This essay was submitted by one of our teen interns, Fiona Z., who is currently in our Freedom to Read Teen Ambassadors program.

Immortality isn't real but would you believe me if I told you, you can live millions of lives, laugh millions of laughs, walk to distant worlds, and see the end of time through pairs of eyes that aren't your own? The possibility of experiencing millions of relationships, connections, and conflicts without even getting up from your chair is solely possible because of books. The experience of reading goes beyond just a leisure activity; it is a profound and transformative experience that shapes the very core of our being. The experience of reading is unique to each individual, but the emotions and connections that it elicits are universal. That's why the freedom to read is so important. The freedom to read is to have the freedom to select any situation you wish to experience and enter it in your own imaginary space. Reading enables us to explore different perspectives, cultures, and experiences that we may not have access to in our daily lives, allowing us to expand our imagination beyond our physical limitations. The distinct smell of old and worn paper as we open a book is just the beginning of a journey that transports us to an entirely different universe. It is an opportunity to escape our reality and explore the unknown, to connect with characters and stories in a way that we cannot with people around us. The freedom to read nurtures this connection and guides us through the endless possibilities of literature at our own comfortability.