Michelle Risko - Reading Biography by Michelle Risko

Early Childhood Reading

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:25:10 UTC

My passion for reading emerged when my parents precisely chose books that they thought I would enjoy. As they read to me, and as I began to read myself, I learned vocabulary that I would use in everyday life. My favorite book that I would read if not every night was "Goodnight Moon", authored by Margaret Wise Brown. This book was my favorite book. Even though I knew what every page entailed, I was still drawn to reread it each night.

My mentor

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:26:52 UTC

My mentor would have to be both of my parents. Each night before I would go to bed, they would alternate turns on reading to me. They built the habit of reading everyday, no matter how long it was. When I was able to read on my own, they still encouraged me to read as much as I was able to. They made sure I was supplied with a variety of books which overall helped me find the certain genres I enjoy today.

Earliest Reading Memory

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:40:31 UTC

My earliest reading memory would have to be having my parents read me "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss. I remember loving the book, always requesting to have it be the night's book choice. I remember continuing to read other Dr. Seuss books after this.

Quote

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:42:23 UTC

"Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere"

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:43:31 UTC

Around Christmas time in preschool, I was gifted "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" from one of the parents. Those two books became my favorite books at the time, even reading the Christmas one all year around.

mrisko25 — 2024-05-29 16:48:24 UTC

When reading, I would always have a stuffed animal next to me at all times. My sister gave me a moose stuffed animal when I was born. I would have it everywhere I went, at all times. Moosey was beside me as I transferred from reading children's books to chapter books.

Shift

mrisko25 — 2024-05-30 13:49:01 UTC

My shift in my reading experience occurred when I started to read the Harry Potter series. Those were the first big chapter books I read, and that's what made my love for reading skyrocket. I have read and reread all seven books multiple times. My aunt had gifted these books to my sister, but she was never truly interested in them. As I grew to the age that I was able to read chapter books, I decided to read this series. I grew to love the genre of fantasy and then proceeded to branch out to other books in the same genre. I also explored many other genres and found which ones I lean more towards. Today, I read all sorts of genres, but I do have my favorites. I enjoy romance, mystery, poetry, fantasy, and thrillers.

Everything I Never Told You

mrisko25 — 2024-05-30 13:58:20 UTC

"Everything I Never Told You" authored by Celeste Ng, is a book that I chose for the Big Fat AP Lit project we did. This book really pulled me in by the title as I was searching for a particular book to read. This book impacted me so much due to the fact that I can relate to the main character Lydia. As she was overlooked and was pushed to her limits, I can relate to that on another level. One thing after another kept piling on in her life, and it shows the effects of what pushing someone over the edge can do. Adding onto that, not only did it spread awareness to these types of problems, it was also a story you could not predict what could happen next. Page after page I was shocked at what happened within the family's life. I have reread the book and plan to read it again soon.

Quote

mrisko25 — 2024-05-30 14:01:39 UTC

"The things that go unsaid are often things that eat you."

The Way I Used To Be

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:00:24 UTC

"The Way I Used To Be" authored by Amber Smith is a book I hold dearly to me. This book was a book that had gotten me out of my reading slump due to how good it was. The book was so impact, spreading awareness for speaking out about sexual assault. The book navigated through the main character, Eden, and her life ever since she was sexually assaulted by her brother's best friend. The strength she has to still persevere through life even after everything she's been through is truly astonishing. Her story being told and also providing a representation of how incidents like this can truly affect someone. I have never really cried from reading a book, but this one was so powerful that it did make me shed a few tears.

Quote

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:04:24 UTC

"All you have to do is act like you're okay, and people start treating you that way."

My Dark Vanessa

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:23:17 UTC

"My Dark Vanessa" illustrated by Kate Elizabeth Russell was one of those kinds of books that hits you like a punch while reading it. The psychological dynamic of the relationship between an innocent and gullible teenage girl and her deceptive teacher. This book filled me with feelings of uneasiness throughout reading it. Despite the uneasiness, I was captivated by the psychological aspect of the book. Seeing the emotional abuse and manipulation Vanessa undergoes. Adding onto that, the fact that Vanessa didn't consider herself a victim at the time and eventually blames herself for luring him in and proceeding further with his desires. The book captures the movement of cultural sanctions and the transformation of society itself too.

Quote

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:25:36 UTC

"Because even if I sometimes use the word abuse to describe certain things that were done to me, in someone else's mouth the word turns ugly and absolute. It swallows up everything that happened."

My Favorite Thing About Reading

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:31:00 UTC

My favorite thing about reading is that my mind is able to go to a "different dimension". The books I read get my mind off of whatever I am experiencing at that point of time. I am able to take the words that I read and picture it in my mind like a movie. I love finding books that really stick to me that way when I remember the story line in my head, I am able to "re-watch" like a movie all over again.

My Biggest Challenge When Reading

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:33:40 UTC

My biggest challenge when reading is getting out of a book slump. After reading a book that I wasn't very fond of makes me go into a slump where i'm not motivated to read. It also is kind of hard to find a good book in order to get me out of the slump. Some books I will read but I won't love them. But overall I usually get out of my slump pretty quickly.

My Reading Goals

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:38:05 UTC

As I started reading at a young age, I plan to continue to read since it is something that I love to do. I read books pretty fast, but when it is a very well put together book, I breeze through it. Over the summer, I plan to read a lot of books and also journal about them. I have a reading journal that I have been using and my goal is to fill it up as much as I can.

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:41:46 UTC

This poem is mainly for my friends and family. I love them dearly as they have been with me through the thick and thin. I owe everything to them since they have done so much for me. I appreciate every bit of support and love that they provide for me, they deserve the world and so much more.

Article: How Reading Helps The Brain

mrisko25 — 2024-06-02 15:43:24 UTC

Cole’s comment

2024-06-02 15:57:48 UTC

I would say reading all the Harry Potter books is very impressive. Especially over and over again with no problem at such a young age that is very impressive and shows how good of a reader you are. I know I couldn’t even finish one.

Bella Puopolo

2024-06-02 16:08:00 UTC

Michelle has been and will always be my best friend. One thing we share in common is our love for reading, and with that, comes the many recommendations we give to each other. I told Michelle about the book, “My Dark Vanessa,” and can say that it is a very powerful book to read. Michelle is the type of person to choose books that stand out to her no matter the popularity. Not only is it a blessing to see Michelle grow as a reader, but as a person as well. I love how Michelle challenges herself when reading, and rereads a book to get more insight on things that she missed. Books can shape a person yes, but as Michelle has explained, the anticipation a person gets from reading truly is what makes the experience exciting.

Sarah’s comment

2024-06-03 00:27:13 UTC

Michelle is one of the brightest and refreshing people i know throughout my whole lifetime. Me and her meet when we were about 6 years old, and since then I can say that she is a very intelligent young lady. I believe this comes from her love of reading and her interest in developing her studies. I remember when she had her shift of reading the Harry Potter series, she was a fanatic and could not stop talking about it. She spoke of all the different characters, the dialect, and the interactions between them and summarized the whole series to me and I knew it without even reading! I also remember when she began reading Colleen Hoover, and she introduced me to some of her work. She told me about “It Ends With Us” which is a book that blew up, but also one that caught the attention from many including me from Michelle. Overall, Michelle is easily said to be one of the smartest and most enthusiastic readers I have ever meet.

Emily’s comment

2024-06-03 01:17:37 UTC

I agree with Michelle when she says that reading puts her in a different dimension. I feel like reading puts you in a world that lets you ignore reality for a bit. So when stressed reading is a nice distraction from all the chaos that reality can bring into one’s life. In reading I can relate where Michelle’s says that she feels a connection to the book especially when she relates to it which makes it hard for me personally when finishing the book. This is because I grow so close to the characters that parting with them at the end of the book is really hard. This is also why I relate when Michelle says that she gets into a reading slump. As long as I have known Michelle she has been a reader as well as great at being able to not only relate to the characters in her book but relay these plots to everyone she meets in a way that makes the person want to buy it as soon as she tells them about it.

Vianna's comment

vkopylov25 — 2024-06-03 13:17:24 UTC

I can relate to getting out of the reading slump. Always during the school year I get into a slump but once summer comes around I love to read again. Dr.Seuss is an amazing author love him, and his green eggs and ham.

Jeanette's comment

jyeung25 — 2024-06-03 13:49:22 UTC

It's interesting to see what and how others read, and I was happy to see that you read the Harry Potter series as well. I relate a lot to reading slumps, so I hope that you can maybe find a whole genre of books that you would be interested in.