The Bloggers in the Attic

The Bloggers in the Attic is a discussion train started by Camila @ The Reader in the Attic, it is a bi-monthly discussion chain featuring other bloggers, who come together to discuss a particular topic.

This is the first of many chain discussions we’ll be having hopefully! Below are participants of this discussion dates and the dates of when we are expected to have our discussion posts up, please if you have time, indulge yourself in reading the posts of the people who came before me.

February 2019:  Required Reading in Schools

1^st – Camilla @  The Reader in the Attic   ➤  4^th –  Kal @Reader Voracious   ➤  6^th –  Lara @ Naija Book Bae   ➤  8^th – Isabelle @Bookwyrm Bites   ➤  10^th – Sam @Fictionally Sam   ➤  12^th – Dany @Dany’s Book Blog   ➤  14^th –  Ben @ Bibliophilic Reads   ➤  16^th – Kerys @ The Everlasting Library   ➤  18^th – Clo @Book Dragons   ➤  20^th – Lauren @Northern Plunder   ➤  22^nd – Nora @Papertea and Bookflower   ➤  24^th – Lili @Lili Star Reads

I graduated from University in 2017, and even still the last time I really had to be worried about Required Reading in school was in late 2013 – early 2014. When I was preparing to write my A-Levels Literature exams. The only required reading I am doing now is for the books/manuscripts I have to read for work, no matter how tedious I find most of them.

But back when I was still in school and I had no choice but to read the required books, what did I think about all the books that were added to my school curriculum? I’ve always loved reading, so I was always curious about each book that was given to us to read either in English or Literature class. Thanks to this structure I’ve read a few classics I would never have picked up if it was left to me and enjoyed quite a few.

Yes, there were many books I hated and didn’t even stress myself reading, thank God for the option of selection. For example Ethan Frome, that book is the most depressing book I have ever attempted to read, then there’s Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie, I was so happy to read and devour the book. So it’s a win/lose situation really, but I loved it regardless because of my love for books.

The only aspect of required reading I didn’t like was the over analysing of the texts, and how my literature teachers were always marking me down, just because I chose to view and interpret the texts how I saw it. I don’t think they understood that no one reads the same the book the same way, because after writing my exams, I always scored A or B’s. take that teachers.

What are your opinions on required reading in schools? I’ve shared mine, now you share us!