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Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

arts

Reading through the heat

Travel Column

The brain, like any other muscle, requires toning, exercise and training. Though we wouldn’t like to admit it, watching Shark Week isn’t the way to do it.

So, let’s be honest. How many of us really spent our vacation flexing our brains with a pile of summer reading? If your ears are burning or you shamelessly pride yourself on getting through three months without reading anything besides a social media feed, I’m here to help you out.

Admit it. Summer days blur together.

Why? Boredom.

That’s right, I made the spine-shivering statement: summer can be boring. For those of you who did spend the summer achieving something — whether it was an internship, working, summer classes or just focusing on your own life, summer reading probably was not on your to-do list.

While I worked for the entire time I was away from our beloved Bloomington, I did manage to enjoy my favorite pastime of curling up with a thick novel. From the pool, through my home renovations and to the backroom of my workplace, I read.

Now, that doesn’t mean I spent this entire lovely term with my nose stuck in a book. I did plenty of useless things, such as watching the second season of “Orange is the New Black” twice. But yes, dear readers, I did devote a good amount of my spare time to reading. Also, let me point out that you should have, too.

While it seems vaguely familiar to the squawking you heard from teachers in grade school about losing math skills during summer break, I’m making a different argument here.

I’m not saying “Ulysses” should top your priorities during your break between semesters.

Pick up a John Green novel if it floats your boat. The books we read for fun establish the lush foundation for learning that will come in handy this semester.

We no longer have summer required reading lists to complete, people. As adults, the responsibility of expanding and exercising the mind is thrust upon us. You wouldn’t expect your body to stay in shape after a three-month rest period, so why would you assume this of your brain?

I’m not one to dwell on the past, so here’s a proposal for the future: I want you guys to read.

No, I’m not talking your K201 manual or terms for biochem. I want you to start reading for yourself, outside of a class setting, for the hell of it. For us bookworms, that sounds like second nature. But for the occasional reader, or even those of you who (cringe) hate reading, this request probably doesn’t seem as appealing.

Do not think of this invitation as ludicrous.

If you have time to watch the entire series of “The Office” or spend the weekend barhopping, you have the time to read. During a hectic semester, reading can become your salvation. It’s an allotted time to escape the pressures of life and envelop yourself in another world.

Reading creates that break you’re dying for, the vacation you so desperately need but can’t necessariliy afford.

Mull my proposal in your mind. Visit Wells Library. Browse, dear readers, and expand your horizons. You wouldn’t go to IU if you hadn’t taken the time to read. If you’re reading this column, you’re doing an excellent job so far.

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