“Literacy is a gift. My grandma was the only one of her siblings who learned how to read. She would explore worlds and get lost in books, but her siblings never had the choice. They were a family of sharecroppers and my grandma being the youngest was sent to school while her siblings stayed back to work. Reading was really important to her, and she really encouraged it. Growing up, we would all take turns reading the same book in the house. I would read and pass the book to my brother. Then we would all talk about it. And everyone had their favorite books, you know. Some of my mine were the American Girl Series with Addie, a gift from my grandparents. It was a way to bond with family. And I think that bond carries, you know? I love talking about books with people. Like what are you reading and why do you like it? Reading is community. And being able to absorb knowledge on your own time is power. Regardless what you read, it is power.”
People Read Books: Real people, real stories and portraits on the quiet art of reading by Katie Garcia. Aurora and friend at Silent Book Club. Photography by Tyree Trice. Mural by Maddyebbert.art.
