By J1 Reporter Liv Brown 

A reader lives a thousand lives before they die,” George R.R. Martin, the celebrated author of Game of Thrones, once said.

Books have long served as windows into new worlds. Whether they explore fantasy, suspense, romance or comedy, every story has a purpose—to entertain, inspire or offer an escape. Some people can read for hours without stopping, while others start a book only to put it down, promising to return later.

While countless books are published every year, the process of bringing them to readers is no small feat. Despite advancements in technology that make publishing smoother, young authors often face significant hurdles. Still, their passion for storytelling keeps them going.

“Books have been challenged since books have been written. Anything that scares somebody is gonna get challenged,” said Mrs. Molly Raabe, Marian librarian and resource specialist.

Books are frequently challenged for various reasons, ranging from controversial themes to genre preferences. Raabe herself doesn’t have a favorite genre; her choice depends on her mood.

“It really depends on the day,” she said. “I might be orange, I might be hot pink, I might be orange and hot pink together. And books are like the same way.” Her eclectic tastes reflect the diverse world of literature she loves to explore.

With so much literature available, some wonder whether reading might one day lose its audience.

“No, I think what cuts into your story time is if you have social media,” Raabe said. For the Lenten season, she recently deleted her social media accounts to focus more on reading and found it significantly improved her ability to concentrate on books.

“I just felt like I could read again,” she said.

For those searching for their next great read, Raabe is always eager to offer recommendations. Whether you’re looking for fantasy, non-fiction or a gripping young adult novel, she has suggestions to suit every taste.

Some of her current favorites include “The Inheritance Games” series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, “The Unwedding” by Ally Condie and “I Will Always Write Back” by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch and Martin Ganda.

If you’re in need of assistance finding the perfect book, Raabe and paraprofessional Mrs. Karen Coolidge are always happy to help. After all, as Martin said, reading lets us live a thousand lives—and the stories are waiting.