Library Interview with Joshua Chaudoraille

Library Interview with Joshua Chaudoreille The Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library board and staff are interested in exploring the special place books, reading, storytelling and libraries hold in the hearts of our community members. The power of the written and spoken word, the enchantment of libraries and childhood memories of time spent with books, creates a profound tapestry of emotions and experiences. This questionnaire prompts introspection and reflection, offering a unique lens through which to examine the bond between readers and their connection to books, storytelling and libraries. Watch this space for interviews with an array of interesting community members. Here are the thoughts on reading and the importance of libraries from Joshua Chaudoreille, age 14, who is a recent Grade 8 graduate of Royal Oak Community School in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Q. What are you reading right now? Right now I’m reading a very interesting series of fantasy books called The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott. Imagine a fantasy book with all religions and cultures, with Egyptian and Roman gods and mythologies, with twins becoming heroes. There are six in the series and I’m on number five. I mostly read in English but my first language is French. Q. You are a big reader. What is your favourite book that you might want to read again? It’s a tie between three favourites of mine. The Percy Jackson series is so good because when I was young I really wished life was really like in the book, so I read it many times. The Warriors series is a view from a different animal, which was very interesting. Aristotle and Dante is kind of like an autobiography because it is so realistic. It is a book about a young gay couple and what happens to them. Q. Did anyone read to you when you were young? Yes, my family read to me at bedtime or during the day when I wanted a story. Q. What do you like about the library? I like discovering new series by browsing on the shelves or if I hear about interesting books from friends. I like that I can get books for free. I like physical books because I have lots of technology at home. Q. Why do you like going to the library? It has some quiet spaces and I can go there if I want to work or to be by myself. I liked that when I lived in France. I could meet up with my friends at our local library and play some games or tell jokes. In school libraries it was fun too, and I went to school every day. The librarians always suggested new books for me. I read nearly 800 books in one year, but some are faster to read, such as a lot of Manga. I like comic books too. I enjoy reading them because there is a lot of comedy or comic relief in them. Q. What has been most influential in turning you into a reader? I think fantasy books did it because they transport me to another world and I like meeting the characters and learning about the things that we don’t have now. I like to immerse myself in books, and it gives me a more optimistic outlook. Most are happy stories that turn out well. Q. How would you improve a library for kids your age? I would like more books, physical books for multiple reasons. I like the old book smell and I like the new book smell too. I like holding books, and they are easier on my eyes than e-books. Q. What do you gain as a young reader? I think I gain more understanding about the world, and it makes me more cultured. By cultured I mean keeping up on what’s happening in other countries or in historical times. Q. Does reading contribute to your health and well-being in any way? Definitely, like when I’m going to bed and reading helps calm my nerves to go to sleep. And when I’m really tired, I usually read new books all day because it makes my brain rest and then it pops and makes me want to know more and more. Reading gives me a quiet day.