As college students, we are all familiar with books. We spend long hours both day and night pouring over books ranging in topic from sociology to medical terminology, studying hard for the next exam, writing papers or reports.
Somehow, some of us are able to read for fun in our downtime. It could be a novel, a magazine article, or even the latest New York Times or Daily Wildcat issue. Whatever your reading preference, enjoyment can be found in taking a break from your daily routine to read something you’re interested in.
Tents have already been set up for the annual Festival of Books on and around the UA Mall.
The UA Bookstore, located in the Student Union Memorial Center, has also prepared for the celebration with racks of book recommendations featuring some of the work of visiting authors like Maureen Dowd and J.A. Jance.
If you’re in between classes or find yourself with a bit of time on your hands, check out the stands. You just might find your new favorite book.
Nicole Candelaria, a recent grad of the UA, currently works for the UA Bookstores in the general books department. She said the bookstore has plenty of award-winning books on the shelves.
“We have quite a few people who either won or were nominated for the National Book Award,” she said. “The most notable of which is Colson Whitehead. His book, ‘The Underground Railroad,’ has been such a sensational hit; I mean, out of everything we have so far that is probably the one that is flying off our shelves the most frequently.”
Whitehead will be one of many authors attending the festival.
In a world where practically everything runs on some form of technology from smartphones to laptops to GPS, it seems that most people, even millennials, are still opting for the written word.
“It’s actually really interesting,” said Candelaria. “We found out not too long ago that millennials are actually the generation that is supposed to save the printed word. Millennials, more so than generations previous, have been buying actual hard copies of literature.”
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She said the general books department is doing well and college students do buy books for leisure.
“I feel like the Festival of Books is a true testament to that because it’s just as popular with college kids as it would be for older readers,” she said.
Kayla Sweeney, a junior majoring in psychology, shared a similar sentiment.
“I like regular books because I feel like it’s a lot easier to focus [on] than eBooks,” she said. “I like Viktor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’- that’s a really deep, cool novel.”
Sweeney said she enjoys reading for fun and appreciates the ability books have to teach people about topics that interest them.
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Anisa Maani, a sophomore studying English, plans to attend the festival this weekend.
“It’s the people that it attracts that make it a very welcoming and interactive, comfortable environment for everyone to enjoy,” she said. “The authors themselves are also at the book festival and you can talk to them, like I did last year, and ask them questions about their books.”
Maani enjoys reading because it expands her mind, makes her a smarter person and makes her happy. She prefers books to eBooks, as she can take notes as she reads on the chapter’s theme,diction and syntax.
“Basically, doing that makes reading all the more compelling and interactive,” Maani said.
Books are a great way to relax, whether it helps you unwind before bedtime or provides a form of entertainment during the day. Books allow for an escape from everyday life, taking you into another world entirely, whether it’s fact or fiction.
The Festival of Books, and the Bookstore for that matter, offer a wide range of genres for readers of all passions and preferences. It’s the perfect time to discover, or rediscover, favorites among the festival’s lineup. Check out the Festival of Books website; you never know if your favorite author will be making an appearance.
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