Produce with Amy

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” —Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

This quote has been echoing in my mind lately. My 11th grade English students are currently reading Fahrenheit 451, and it’s sparked more than just classroom discussion. It’s stirred something in me personally. Bradbury’s dystopian world, where books are outlawed and critical thought is suppressed, feels eerily relevant. But what struck me most wasn’t the fire. It was the silence. The absence of curiosity. The loss of joy in reading.

And here’s my confession, I haven’t read for pleasure in a long time. Not because I don’t love books. I do. I’ve built my life around words. But somewhere between lesson planning, grading, grocery shopping, working part time for a local airline, raising an active teenager, and trying to keep up with the pace of life, I stopped carving out space for stories. I work seven days a week. I’m always “on.” But let’s be honest, that’s not a good enough excuse. I am an English teacher. I am a writer. I have a mind full of curiosity.

Reading used to be my sanctuary. My spark. My way of connecting with the world and myself. And I miss it.

So I’m asking: Are you in the same boat? Do you miss reading for fun? Do you want to reignite that spark together?

💡 Introducing the Produce with Amy Virtual Book Club

I’m dreaming up a space for busy people who want to read again. A virtual book club that’s low-pressure, high-reward. We’ll pick a book together – something that inspires, challenges, or simply delights us. We’ll set a realistic timeline (because life is full), and we’ll share thoughts as we go. No quizzes. No guilt. Just community, conversation, and the joy of turning pages.

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a student, or someone who hasn’t touched a novel in years – this is for you. If accountability and connection speak to you, drop a comment or DM me. I’ll create a group, and we’ll get started.

Let’s rebuild our personal reading culture. Let’s reclaim our time, our imagination, and our right to slow down and savor a story.

Because books spark ideas. Ideas spark change. And change begins with us.

Go to my Produce with Amy Facebook page and give it a like and send me a message.

Please join me. 💚 (Feel free to share this post with anyone who might need a little literary nudge.)