By Tiffany Williams –
As an avid reader, I find solace in the words of a good book. Reading has been an integral part of my life since childhood, and I have always cherished the experience of walking into a library or bookstore and selecting a new book to read. Recently, I finished reading ‘North of Boston’ by Elisabeth Elo, and it was a truly captivating book that I highly recommend.
I have such a strong affection for physical books that my personal collection comprises around 6,000 books, and I have no intention of ever switching to a Kindle or other e-reader. There’s something special about holding a physical book in your hands and flipping through its pages that just can’t be replicated with a digital device.
One of my favorite ways to spend an off day is wandering through the stacks at a local college library in Worcester, selecting an old, dusty book at random, and finding a peaceful spot to read it. The musty scent of old books mixed with the silence of a quiet library is an experience that I relish.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting 223 public libraries from Bridgeport, CT to Bangor, ME. Whenever I visit a new city or town, I always make a point to seek out local libraries and bookstores to explore. I love discovering new books and authors that I might not have come across otherwise.
Being an advocate for reading, I am thrilled to see initiatives like the Hartford Yard Goats Reading Challenge presented by Eversource, which encourages students to read five books outside of their normal curriculum during the school year. It’s an excellent way to inspire children to develop a love for reading, which I believe is crucial for their future success. This program is a fun way for students to set reading goals and get rewarded for their efforts with tickets to a Yard Goats game.
I admire the efforts of the Hartford Yard Goats and Eversource in promoting literacy among children. I believe that it is vital to put down video games and other distractions and pick up a book instead. Additionally, I firmly believe that actual books should be preferred over Kindles or other e-readers, as the experience of reading a physical book is simply unparalleled.
A parent or guardian must register students on the Yard Goats website (yardgoatsbaseball.com) from now until May 6, and students will have until July 15 to complete their books. One lucky student will be selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.