Nagle Library

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing the College’s Sports Co-ordinator, Miss Dahlberg. Once again I was amazed at how reading serves a different purpose for all, yet we all acquire similar benefits from reading regularly. Conversing with Miss Dahlberg was especially fascinating because of her extreme fondness to Harry Potter, this time it made me think about how one’s interests and passions can reveal so much about their personalities and values.

First of all, Miss explained to us that she enjoys reading genres which revolve around war, historical fiction or fantasy. Growing suspicious (and slightly concerned) I had to ask why Miss enjoys reading about war, and her answer was simple yet one I admire. She likes reading about how the human race has been overcoming adversities and thriving over the centuries. While we were on the topic of genres, I had to ask which genres she did not prefer reading and surprisingly for once, the answer wasn’t sci-fi! Miss said she doesn’t enjoy reading “sappy, romance novels” because it is not her “cup of tea.”

Miss is particularly fond of reading Harry Potter as she is drawn to the fantastical aspect of the series and the fact that sometimes she can just take a step out of reality and immerse herself into another world. Watching characters go through hardships and then developing as people is an intriguing aspect of reading Harry Potter for her. After this inspirational insight, I wanted to know which character Miss pictured herself as, and she replied “Ron”. She views herself the “underestimated yet faithful sidekick with many redeeming qualities”. How’s that for an insight into Miss’s own personality?

Miss went on to explain to us why reading was such a fascinating concept and here’s why... As we read words on a page, our minds are actively engaged in re-creating those scenes. This in turn, as Miss Dahlberg suggested helps foster creativity within our minds. But even before that, it helps us develop an understanding of the English language which is quite essential considering that we’ll be using it for the rest of our lives.

Miss recalls that as a kid she would read non-stop especially during the later years of high school. Like many of us readers, she would read late at night when she was meant to be fast asleep and if ever she heard her mother coming down the hallway she would turn the lamp off and pretend to be asleep only to then progress with her reading. Miss claims that she was, at a point so obsessed with reading that she would read until 5 a.m in the morning! This is how Miss Dahlberg got through high school. From this, I learn that running on only a few hours of sleep is perfectly fine for some people and they’ll get through school successfully just like Miss did! However, the recommended time for sleep is 8 hours and we strongly advise that you stick to it.

I’d like to thank Miss Dahlberg for taking time out for us and congratulate her for being December's Staff Reader of the Month!

-A Chahal, Year 10