Reading in L2

Reading is a unique and personal experience, yet it also reflects the environment in which we find ourselves. The images depict different types of readers: people in a library, a man reading a newspaper in the street, children reading at school, an older woman sharing a book about plants with a child, and individuals reading digitally on a tablet. Each of them engages with reading differently, and their book choices may have been personal or guided by someone else. I particularly relate to the image of the library and the children reading at school. Just like those who enjoy a book in a quiet space, I have always valued reading as both a personal and academic pursuit. Additionally, the image of children in a classroom reminds me of my own language-learning journey, where I relied on graded readers in English to develop my skills. Now, whenever possible, I read books in their original language—if a book is written in English, I read it in English; otherwise, I read it in Spanish. The format of reading also influences my experience. Although I frequently read online for work, I prefer physical books when reading for pleasure. There is something about the feel of turning pages that a screen cannot replace. However, time is a crucial factor. While reading for work is a constant part of my routine, leisure reading is often reserved for vacations when I can truly immerse myself in a story without distractions. Over the years, my reading habits have evolved, but the enjoyment of reading remains unchanged. Whether on paper or digitally, in Spanish or English, every book opens a door to new ideas, stories, and perspectives. How have your reading habits changed over time?