Sir Godfrey Gregg

During the school year, most of your reading is assigned—textbooks, required novels, and articles chosen by teachers. The holiday break offers something precious: the freedom to read whatever genuinely interests you. This is your chance to remember that reading isn’t just a school task—it’s a doorway to infinite worlds, ideas, and adventures.

What fascinates you? Dragons and fantasy realms? Mysteries that keep you guessing? True stories about real people doing extraordinary things? Science fiction set in distant galaxies? Sports biographies? Comics and graphic novels? Whatever captures your imagination, there’s a book for it. The holiday break is your opportunity to explore reading as pure pleasure rather than obligation.

When you read for enjoyment, something magical happens. You naturally improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills without even trying. Your brain absorbs sentence structures, expands its understanding of how language works, and builds neural pathways that make all future learning easier. You’re getting smarter while having fun—that’s the ultimate win-win.

Reading also gives you something valuable during the holiday: productive downtime. Instead of mindlessly scrolling on devices, reading engages your imagination actively. It reduces stress, improves focus, and provides entertainment that doesn’t leave you feeling drained like too much screen time often does.

Start small if you’re not a regular reader. Choose a book that genuinely sounds interesting, set aside just 15 minutes before bed, and see what happens. Many reluctant readers discover they actually love reading once they find the right books. Visit your library, ask for recommendations, or explore online reviews from other young readers. There’s a perfect book waiting for you—one that might change how you think about reading forever. Give yourself the gift of discovering it these holidays.