Falcons Flip The Pages

Some read for the sheer enjoyment of the act, others for the school assignment. So what are students at CB currently reading?

Reading has taken a varied response among students. This may be because Christian Brothers High School has a requirement for all students to take a certain amount of English classes in order to graduate.

When asked about the amount of reading they currently do, three students and one teacher gave some mixed responses.

“I only read two hours a day for homework.” Jamie-Lee Parliament (’15) says.

“I read 4 or 5 books a week. Close to one book a day.” Kara Romani (’15) indicates about her love of books.

“I probably read about 3 or 4 hours a week,” Mr. Tony Caselli explains about his average reading time. “A lot of reading is for prep for school.”

Some students currently have reading assignments from each of their individual teachers.

“I am currently reading A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams,” explains Laurren Vasquez ‘(15), who is in Ms. Cassetta’s Honors American literature class.

Jamie-Lee, a student of Ms. Chiapa’s is currently reading the short story “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin.

Mr. Caselli has his students, both juniors and seniors, busy with assigned reading as well.

“My seniors are currently finishing up Hamlet. The juniors are reading American Short Stories.”

Mr. Caselli is reading a non-school related book of his own.

“I was just gifted a book called This is How You say Goodbye by Victoria Loustalot,” he said.

The story is memoir written by a woman who is saying goodbye — and finding closure — to her father who died when she was very young.

There is some commonality in genre that the students share. Fantasy/Magic is the highly favored pick of the three students.

Kara, however, is more open minded to the types of books she picks up.

“I’ll read just about anything” the avid reader admits.

“My favorite genre is magical realism.” Mr. Caselli reveals, but goes on to elaborate more about this unusual style. “Magical realism takes everyday situations and people and adds a hint of something magic or out of the ordinary or otherworldly.” He goes on to say it is not as popular of a genre in America.

Despite all the different opinions on reading and which types of books are best to read, the general consensus from both teachers and students is the same: reading helps the student’s writing skills.

“It is one of the only two sure fire ways to become a better writer,” Mr. Caselli says. “The other of course, is writing.”

Laurren thinks that it expands creativity, Jamie says that it will help improve your literacy, and Kara definitely recommends reading, of course.