Every April 23, World Book Day is celebrated as a reminder of the importance of literacy. For Dr. Hadi Suprapto Arifin, M.Si, a lecturer in Communication Science at Universitas Padjadjaran, books are more than just reading materials, they are windows of thought that shape both social awareness and intellectual sensitivity.
“Books are limitless spaces of dialogue between writers and readers,” he said.
Three books that have left a lasting impression on him include Mahabharata, Bung Karno: Penyambung Lidah Rakyat Indonesia, and Memudarnya Masyarakat Tradisional by Daniel Lerner, works that have deepened his understanding and helped shape his life commitments.
Meanwhile, Defrio Saka Wahid, a 2022 Communication Science student, views books as tools for intergenerational communication.
“Books are a human right, the right to read, write, and understand. Through books, we can communicate with both the past and the future,” he said.
For him, books such as Negeri 5 Menara, educational Islamic comics, and communication books by Prof. Deddy Mulyana have fueled his love of learning and helped shape his personal character.
Encouraging a love of reading can start with small steps, reading slowly, consistently, and choosing relevant materials. Digital platforms can also act as bridges to bring literacy closer to today’s younger generation.
Let’s celebrate World Book Day by opening just one book today, because from a single page, a thousand inspirations can be born. [Ed]