Have you ever considered reading a self-help, motivational, or just an uplifting book wondering if they really help? Wonder no longer, see what these North Harford students and staff think.   

     Media specialist Mr. Bob Ott has explained he has never read a self-help book but has been inspired by a person in a book.  

     Ott states the book that inspired him the most was entitled “Unbroken” written by Laura Hillenbrand. He explains the book is a biography of World War two veteran Louis Zamperini. Zamperini was a former Olympic track star that survived a plane crash in the PacificTheater.  

      Zamperini was a gold medalist at the Olympics. “He was a short guy, kind of a tiny little fella,” Ott explains. Ott says Zamperini was an air force pilot who got shot down during the war.  

     Ott explains Zamperini survived a long sea journey on only a raft. He also suffered years of cruel treatment when he was a Japanese prisoner.  

     He adds when  Zamperini finally returned home, he struggled with “war demons” as well as alcohol abuse. Zamperini finally found a light in someone, Billy Graham, who showed Zamperini that religion could save him.  

      Ott explains the book is about humans needing to survive, serving others, and how humans put pain onto other people through cruel acts.  

      The book shows how Zamperini’s childhood prepared him for the hardships he faces in his later life. It also shows how he develops into an Olympic runner. This also shows how determined Zamperini was even as a young child.  

      Ott explains he was inspired by Zamperini in this book because of how courageous he was. He looks up to Zamperini and hopes he can model the bravery Zamperini carried with him.  

     Senior Ryley O’Hare explains she has found motivational books that seem to make her day brighter and put her in a better mood when she makes time for herself to read every day. 

     “Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of my favorites,” O’Hare states. She explains that she saw the book on Tik Tok and so she decided to read it. 

     O’Hare says the book is focused on creating good habits to improve your everyday life. She explains it has helped her create healthy habits in her own life as well as her friends’ lives. 

     “This book also helps people break their bad habits for good,” O’Hare says. She encourages anyone to read it who needs a little sunshine. 

     English teacher Mrs. Christine Allred shares that she believes motivational books can help readers keep a positive outlook on life. She explains the books often provide advice that is simplistic, but reading it can encourage others to make healthy changes. 

     “Reading these types of books can help people gain confidence and help you achieve things in your life you have been working towards,” Allred says. 

     Allred explains her senior English classes are reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. “I like to read this with seniors near graduation to try to get them really thinking about where they are coming from, what experiences make them who they are, and where they are headed, and what they might need to change or do to achieve their goals and create the legacy they desire,” the teacher claims. 

     Allred believes everyone needs a road map and so many things in life contribute to that roadmap.  “Motivational books are just one more tool to help develop our roadmap,” she says.