Chapter 1 - Reading:Purposes and Processes & "The Library Card"

When I first started reading the textbook part of the book, I thought that it would be boring and that I would not get anything out of it. Surprisingly, though, I found a lot of the information helpful. I learned that I should try to become more of an active reader. I find that I write a lot when I read textbooks but not so much when I read entertaining pieces of literature. But maybe if I was a more active reader, I would understand the meanings better. I also learned that I can write about trivial things without sounding trivial.
I really like the essay, "The Library Card" by Richard Wright. While reading about this man and his troubles, I realized that I take advantage of the fact that I have free access to books and can read them anytime. What really hit me was when Wright stated that he "hungered for books." And he "hungered" for intellectual books yet struggled to get his hands on them and here I am, able to read any book I want and I more often than not, choose entertaining books without much substance. I should try to learn by reading and choose books that make me think.
I also found it depressing that this boy has to carry a "burden" for reading. He should be praised for his intellect, but instead he is chastised, just because of the color of his skin. It is sad that the reading "created a vast sense of distance between [him] and the world..." But I am glad he persevered and stuck with it even though it was difficult or he may have never written this and no one would be able to read this and be inspired by it.