Ode to Books

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are”, Mason Cooley truly captured the magic behind books. Much like movies they can let us escape the day to day worries we all face and be taken to new and exciting worlds that immerse us completely. Somehow, no matter how fantastical the realm, it often makes more sense than the world around us. It lifts the weight of reality off our shoulders if even for just a moment.

 

The librarians at Liberty Magnet High are especially proud to be a part of students’ reading journeys. Ms. Gyorgy states, “Ms. Short and I always reflect on the friendships we watch blossom here in the library. Nothing brings us more joy. Well, maybe that and sharing our love of books with students.” Libraries themselves are such a vital part of the community and especially at school, “libraries add so much to a school (and society) as a whole. We are communal spaces that bring people together for a myriad of reasons! A well-run library revolves around the people it serves.”

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As a part of the community, the librarians, Ms. Gyorgy and Ms. Short hope to visit a local elementary school for some reading at some point in the year. Ms. Short also hopes that they can “have some representative volunteering at the Louisiana Book Festival in November.” Along the lines of field trips for the year, the library and book club look forward to visiting the main library on Goodwood and “plan to go see the movie adaptation of the musical Wicked.” These are some exciting plans for the Book Club and the library for the school year 2024-2025.

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If you want to read but don’t know where to start, Ms. Short and Ms. Gyorgy can help you out. When asked what books every student should read, Ms. Short says, “A classic that I think everyone should read is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury…There are current movements to restrict access to books and this story does a great job of showing why this type of censorship is problematic…A newer book that I recommend is The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley…This beautifully written book has something for everyone; mystery, murder, drama, hockey, romance, family issues…It is being adapted for Netflix.” Ms. Gyorgy recommends “Diary of Anne Frank, Wonder by RJ Palacio, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas to just name a few”. She also recommends new readers to try the fantasy genre. 

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Books can have such a large impact in our lives and it certainly did in Ms. Gyorgy and Ms. Short’s. Ms. Gyorgy says, “Books opened my eyes beyond my own world! I still love to read books about people whose lives are totally different from mine. The diversity that has taken over YA books in the past 20 years is awesome!” Ms. Short adds, “There is a saying that books are mirrors that can reflect your own life back at you, windows that allow you to look into someone else’s life, and sliding doors that allow you to be transported into another world. I don’t want to imagine a life without books and the power of stories!“ Literature impacts our culture and community in significant ways, “the biggest impact that books have on our society is the development of empathy, which leads to kindness and ultimately, to peace.” says Ms. Short. Ms. Gyorgy expands, “Readers are curious people and curious people are smart people, always finding out about new things.”

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“The themes found in literature have stood the test of time; unrequited love, jealousy, grief, fear, humor, etc. We are all connected by these emotions and they can be found in books that are centuries old and in modern-day writing,” Ms. Gyorgy perfectly explains. They allow us to experience new feelings and bring a new understanding to our own realities. Books are a key part of culture and society, so please visit the library and find a book that speaks to you. It only takes one book to change the way you see the world.