January 6, 2026
The Prompts below come from the survey in sometimes reading is hard by Robin Bright on page 155.
That one book that changed everything
I was never someone who loved reading growing up, I had so many other things that I wanted to do far above reading. When I was in grade 11, we had just gone back to in person school but if you didn’t want to sit in your classroom all day you had to go outside, during the winter me and my friends would walk into stores near the school to get a bit of warmth. In the bookstore I was looking in the comic book section and found a graphic novel on the shelf titled City of Secrets by Victoria Ying.
I loved the book for how it was steampunk and was quick to read which was one of my big struggles with not wanting to read since i did not feel like I could not make much progress in a book. The book its self was cute and sweet and focused on friendship and solving a mystery. I remember reading the whole book in under a day, which even with it being a graphic novel was very exciting for me and I remember excitedly waiting for the second book City of Illusion to show up in the book store which happened when I was in grade 12 and I read the book with just as much excitement as the previous book.
How do I feel about reading
I have over the past few gotten more into reading especially after realizing that I can read non-fiction books since I was not super into the fiction books everyone was talking so highly about.
What types of books do you like to read
I like to read non-fiction books for the most part I have had exceptions like City of Secretes and Transformers
List some hobbies and things you like to do outside of school
I love to draw, and I have started quilting recently. I also love to mess around with my transformers collection. I have also learned that I love to read non-fiction to continue learning about other things I am interested in.
Who are your favourite authors?
I am not someone who really follows any particular authors I do love actual authors and not authors who are AI generated.
Tell me a bit about the last book you read that you really enjoyed.
I last read HE/SHE/THEY by Shuyler Bailar over the summer. I loved the book for the way it talked about the experience of being transgender and also the experiences that Shuyler went through as a competitive athlete who is also transgender.
Tell me a bit about what you have been doing since last semester during your winter break. How have you been spending your time?
I have been starting a quilt and also trying to get my life back in order after I burnt out last semester.
What subjects or topics do you like learning about?
That can change from week to week but a consistent one has been transformers and different arts/craft ideas.
If you could read a book about one thing, what would that be?
I honestly do not know since my interests change so frequently.