Reading Not for the Grade

      Middle school and High school English classes revolve around required reading.  Having "x" amount of pages read by "this" date,  it makes it very difficult to read for enjoyment. When I read at my leisure I feel like I have to pay close attention as if I were to be handed a pop quiz at any moment. Also, most of the time the book that is required is boring, they never appeal to me, (besides the classics, those are somewhat enjoyable) making it hard to pay attention.

     Finally, a teacher gets it, Ms. Gagnon, my inspiring iQuest teacher. During one of our in class life lessons she mentions that we, students, should be well read. She doesn't throw a book at us and tells us to have chapters one through seven read by next class. She actually let us individually choose a book that appealed to us which makes reading way better.

     Since I am a Grey's Anatomy fanatic, I figured I should choose a book about trauma and medical things, which is exactly what I did. I went down to Barnes & Nobel went straight to the one case of medical books they had and went to town reading the backs. I found one book, Lights & Sirens by Kevin Grange, that appealed to me. The book is about the life and education of a Paramedic (exactly what I was looking for). I have only read the first few sections but it is fascinating. I know being an EMT is tough but hearing the beginning on all the stuff one has to train for is intense. The goal of this book is to really convey the journey of a Paramedic. So far I am very impressed with the book. It is written in very descriptive detail and thoroughly covers every experience. The personal evaluations and perspective really drives home how realistic the situation is. I hope to read about 3 chapters or sections a week.  I want to take my time and enjoy the book instead of rushing though it and missing the whole purpose of it. It maybe hard not to read it in one sitting because it is so interesting.