And another book

I used to go on a reading spree at the first sign of Spring, but to be honest I’ve been on a reading spree since Spring 2020. Constantly. Now my Spring boost is… boosted by the fact that I still have to read a lot for my dissertation. Which is awesome!

Today on the bus to and from uni I’ve been reading S. E. Hinton, ‘The Outsiders’ - the first YA novel (written specially for a young adult market). It’s… a ride! It’s rough and tough but, now from a youth worker’s perspective, it gives me an insight into what gang culture is. And it confirms something - these teenagers aren’t inherently bad, evil, mischievous or whatever. There are so many layers to their behaviours. It’s such a complex discussion to have.

And this is one of the reasons I love literature: it reflects real life. You can safely plunge into someone else’s world and live their life for a while. This book takes you on a journey. And it’s not an easy one.