Teenagers are in some ways the best readers because their imaginations haven't been narrowed down by boring things like jobs and the realities of money and capitalism.
Interpretation
Teenagers have a unique perspective that allows them to read creatively without the constraints of adult concerns.
In this quote, Matt Haig suggests that teenagers often possess a more vibrant and unrestricted imagination when it comes to reading. Unlike adults who may be bogged down by the mundane realities of life, such as work and financial pressures, teenagers can engage with literature more freely, enabling them to explore ideas and narratives with a fresh and inventive outlook.
In practice
In a classroom discussion on the value of literature, you might say, 'As Matt Haig observes, teenagers are often the best readers because they approach stories without the constraints of adult worries.'
Being a depressive should not imply danger any more than being a man or even a human should. Mental illness isn't a them/us issue; we are all on the scale somewhere. So we must be very careful to resist ignorance and combat the stigma that leads to dangerous silence.
It can be difficult for people to talk about it, because there still is that stigma around mental illness. But I would encourage people to do that, because they'll be surprised once they do 'come out' how many other people have had similar experiences.
Understand that thoughts are thoughts. If they are unreasonable, reason with them, even if you have no reason left. You are the observer of your mind, not its victim.
We need, ultimately, to be able to view mental health with the same clear-headedness we show when talking about physical health.
You are no less or more of a man or a woman or a human for having depression than you would be for having cancer or cardiovascular disease or a car accident.
You don't have to be a creative maverick to have a troubled mind. You just have to be human. There is no 'us' and 'them.' No one is one hundred per cent healthy, physically or mentally.
I was really aware, even while it was happening, that the discovery of arts education in my life sort of saved my life.
Every child's taste is different. Don't worry if they're not reading 'War and Peace' at age 12. First, build a good foundation and a positive attitude about reading by letting them pick the stories they enjoy. Make friends with a bookseller or librarian. They are a wealth of information on finding books that kids enjoy.
Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.
Although spoken English doesn't obey the rules of written language, a person who doesn't know the rules thoroughly is at a great disadvantage.
When my son, James, was doing homework for school, he would have five or six windows open on his computer, Instant Messenger was flashing continuously, his cell phone was constantly ringing, and he was downloading music and watching the TV over his shoulder. I donβt know if he was doing any homework, but he was running an empire as far as I could see, so I didnβt really care.
Mom was an academic, so the riches that she had to bestow were of the mind.
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