Teen Reads Interview- Meescha

Welcome to Teen Reads, a podcast that asks: What book should all teens read this year? Season one, Prose and Cons, is where teens go to bat for the books they love and love to hate. Brought to you by the North Vancouver City Library, this podcast features interviews with North Shore teens about the book they think all teens should read in 2025. Read along with our teens and vote to see which book comes out on top!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Meescha Argatoff, Grade 11, Carson Graham Secondary: 

Q: How do you fit reading into your schedule?

A: I always try to make a habit of reading for 30 minutes before bed. Also, keeping a book with me everywhere has been super helpful, even if I don't always read it, as I can try to read between my classes or during study breaks.

Q: What's your ideal reading environment?

A: Definitely a quiet and comfortable space in my room or at school. During the summer, I also love to read outside under a tree or at the beach.

Q: What is your favourite genre and why? 

A: Lately, I've been really enjoying literary fiction and contemporary literary fiction novels. I love how authors are able to portray these amazingly realistic and complex characters while spreading an important message or theme.

Q: How do you get out of a reading slump? 

A: Honestly, I don't! I love reading, but I don't want to force myself to read if I don't feel like it. I've found that building habits like reading every night has allowed me to be consistent with my reading without getting bored :)

Q: Where do you go for reliable/trusted book recommendations?

A: Goodreads or Fable mostly! I also love browsing YouTube or the NVCL website for teen-specific recommendations.

Q: If you could meet any author, who would it be and why?

A: I think that I would love to meet Margaret Atwood! Her writing is some of my favourite, particularly in The Handmaid's Tale, and I would love to learn more about her views on society and the intentions of her books.

Q: What is your current read?

A: I am currently re-reading The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien!

Q: What books on your TBR (To be read list) are you most excited to read?

A: For my upcoming TBR, I am hoping to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, along with re-reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens over the summer. Of course, I am also super excited to re-read my choice for Teen Reads along with the other choices!

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you have multiple books on the go? 

A: It depends

Q: What is your favourite book adaptation to film or TV? Why? 

A: My favourite book to film adaptations are definitely The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, specifically the first Lord of the Rings movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. These movies were amazingly cast and designed, and are very nostalgic for me as I first watched them when I was much younger.

Q: How did you choose your Teen Reads 2025 book? Why should other teens read the book?

A: I chose my Teen Reads 2025 book, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, as I have previously read it a few times and it has become one of my favourite YA fiction novels. I think that the writing style of the novel is incredibly beautiful and is an amazing portrayal of the experience of those living in Germany during the Second World War through a unique point of view. I think that all teens should read this book as it introduces a variety of new perspectives and raises awareness and understanding of these significant historical events.

Q: Share a quote from your Teen Reads 2025 choice

A: "I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race -- that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant."

Book synopsis: The profoundly moving story of a girl who transforms the lives of those around her during World War II, Germany. Although Liesel is illiterate when she is adopted by a German couple, her adoptive father encourages her to learn to read. Ultimately, the power of words helps Liesel and Max, a Jew hiding in the family's home, escape from the events unfolding around them.