I personally believe that a person's bookshelf is a window inside their soul. Books can help someone live their wildest fantasy or chase their darkest dreams. Through books I have escaped into new realities and viewed the world in fresh perspectives. I consider myself a student of the "classics" but I constantly embrace the new. My favorite "classic" novel is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. While my favorite series is Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling; this imaginative universe has helped inspire countless young people to read. I would truly love to teach books such as The Great Gatsby and The Hobbit. Also The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a masterpiece that I would be thrilled to explore with future students. Lately I've found myself drawn to the bestseller's list and reading books based on pop culture. I recently just read Sh*t My Dad Says and found it completely hilarious. I love reading books written by comedians because their perceptions of life are fascinating. I believe reading is a fun activity and should never be viewed as a chore. Thus, I truly hope to inspire my students to view greatness in the written word. I certainly believe the pen is mightier than the sword and reading/writing are to be embraced. I want my students to know that humans can learn to understand one another through literature and other forms of writing.
