Camila's Blog

“The book community” a community I think is safe, one where through words you can deeply and strongly communicate and connect with others. Words (in my opinion) are very strong and can deeply impact someone.

Now, I was never one to willingly want to read, in fact I hated it. It felt more like a chore (especially when having to read for school assignments) rather than a pleasure of mine. I often found myself not being able to focus on the words on the page. However, it really was just a matter of finding what I truly enjoyed reading about. Once I read genres that resonated with my interests (more specifically romance novels) I discovered that reading could transport me to different worlds and introduce me to all kinds of characters. With the right book in hand I could easily spend hours lost in a story captivated by the author’s words.

Where do these communities live? These communities live both online and in person. There is book clubs where people can connect with one another and share their interests in the same books or sometimes the same genre too. Many find it enjoyable to discuss plot twists, character development, and thematic elements, for a deeper understanding and appreciation of literature. These clubs often host events such as author readings and social gatherings to enhance the experience of reading. Online platforms also provide vast opportunities for engagement, from social media groups to websites, in which individuals can participate in, exchange recommendations, and create a strong sense of community across different locations despite many differences.

What do I like about this community? That is a pretty easy answer if you ask me. This community (for the most part) is judgement free, one that creates a welcoming atmosphere where individuals can express their thoughts without fear of criticism. All opinions about novels are welcomed, as well as the diversity of perspectives. Everyone sees and interprets things differently, which not only welcomes in healthy (not aggressive at all) debates but also encourages us to think deeply about the literature we all read. It is definitely always interesting (at least to me) to see how everyone can derive something different from a topic or book we all read, this variety reveals the depth and complexity of storytelling. Everyone contributes their unique background and experiences, making it a vibrant environment. So, we not only share a passion for reading but also build meaningful connections with one another, learning from each other’s insights and interpretations.

More than anything, I would love to learn more about the different interpretations we all have of literature, as it is an extremely interesting exploration into the way humans think and process literature. I think especially in this class, with all our in class discussions and diverse perspectives I will be able to examine and learn how each of us approaches, learns, and understands topics, authors, readings, etc., in unique and personal ways. It will also be interesting to see how different cultural backgrounds and beliefs can significantly contribute to how we interpret and understand writings differently. I believe that those factors can definitely impact how we process information about certain topics, especially if they are more sensitive ones, as (I think) our individual histories and societal contexts can shape our perceptions. This dynamic between culture and literature not only expands our understanding of others but also encourages empathy among us as we share insights from our varying perspectives.