Once Upon a #BookTok Scholarship

"I hate reading". That used to be my response to anyone talking about books—teachers, my parents, or siblings, I never wanted to read. Growing up in the English subject was never my strong suit, often struggling with spelling or finding the main idea. Luckily that all changed when I made friends with Gabby in the ninth grade. Before high school, I only read one series, which ironically was the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books by Jeff Kinney. One day at lunch, I saw Gabby reading a book called “Punk 57” by Penekope Dougles. At the time the book was trending on tiktok under the tag #booktok with its intense and romantic scenes, but I was 13 at the time so it was shocking that I saw my friend reading such a book in public. We spent lunch talking about books she had read. I had seen how passionate she was about the stories and how they played such an important part in her self Journey. Right Before lunch ended, she gave me a book recommendation for "It Ends with Us" By Colleen Hoover. When I got home,Immediately looked up the book on safari to see where I could buy the book. The first place that came up was 'Barnes and Nobles'. I rushed downstairs and ask my dad, "Can you take me Barnes and Nobles please?" You could imagine his surprise when he saw his non-reader daughter asking to go to a bookstore of all places! Nevertheless, we went, got the book, and dove in. Reading the book took two days, TWO! I was so engrossed in the book, I read it everywhere I went. On the day I finished I was sobbing in my aunt's arms while they told me I was overreacting. But I wasn't. I was undeniably in love with the book. It lets me learn things about people's thoughts and motivations through relationships. Before I would have just said, 'just leave', but that's the hardest part when you share a relationship—whether with friends, family,and especially partners. When I got home I searched "Booktok" on tiktok for more books to feed my new found love for reading. There were so many book recommendations from people my age to adults who have been reading since they were kids! After a few more Colleen Hoover books and controversies, I decided to read a recommended book called “The Cruel Prince”. Everyone around me loved romance books, especially at ages 14-15, when we have not even had our own real relationships. So, I decided to adventure to another book trending on Tiktok In early November to read "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black. A book filled with this new world, unlike anything I had seen. A big mythical place with faes and castles, but mainly focused on protagonist, Jude Durate. Who worked her way to the top no matter the difficulties she faced while being human amongst powerful creatures, even finding love with the cruel prince himself Cardan Greenbriar and even becoming his Queen! To this day the Folk of the Air Trilogy is my favorite, introducing me to my favorite genre: fantasy These two books genuinely changed the way I view the world and myself, I learned strength and resilience through Jude, and how the people we love hurt us way more than we expect through Lily. Now, when I meet people who want to start reading, the first two books I recommend are “The Cruel Prince" and "It Ends With us" "I love reading". Is my new response when talking about books. Funny how times changed.