Why do you read?

So many reasons! Because I can, because it’s a safe place for me, because it allows me to visit other worlds, because it encourages me to understand people more, because it challenges my opinions and beliefs, because it helps me learn more about myself, because it brings me into community with others, because I can learn from it, and because I love it!

Has your relationship with reading changed over time?

I started reading at a very young age and it became one of my safe spaces. That is certainly still true. It has probably changed the most over time in that I read much more diversely now then I used to. And I also have a better understanding of what reading can offer. As a child, it was my refuge and I also just enjoyed it. But especially through education and my own research, I discovered how much more it can do.

What would you say to someone who thinks they’re not a reader?

When you actually think about it, most people are readers. We’re just not all reading the same thing. Even if it’s a news article, you’re still reading. And therefore gaining literacy. I think sometimes too much judgement comes with the idea that a person is not a reader. And audiobooks for sure count! I would encourage that person to think about what they read, if they like it, what it means to them, etc. I would challenge them to think about what they think it means to be a reader. And I would also say that maybe they have not found what reading means to them yet.

• Charlotte Johnson