Moss Posed for the satire edition last year. Time for the real deal spiel about reading. Photo courtesy of senior Olivia Cusick.

  English Teacher Brian Moss has made an impression on San Luis Obispo High School in the three years he’s been here. Always a fun personality to be around, Moss also loves music and was even in multiple bands. Expressions checked in to delve into his personality as a reader.

Expressions: What is the book that got you reading more?

SLOHS English teacher Brian Moss : That is a great question. So, you know, as a child, my parents exposed me to a lot of books they read to me every night. I had my own little library. I enjoyed reading from a very young age. But in terms of going all in on it, and then wanting to pursue language in college, it had to have been something in high school. And I remember being really captivated by “Death of a Salesman”, which mainly due to its theme, which I’ve tried teaching and since pulled back on. Then I had a teacher expose me to “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac in high school. Those two books gripped me. I would also say that a lot of punk rock and hip hop lyrics drew me in to literature as well and inspired me to read and write.

Expressions: What genre would you say is your favorite to read?

  Moss: I would say fiction and memoir, and when I say fiction, I’m not really into that fantasy stuff, or science fiction, or really fictional novels. And I enjoy science fiction and fantasy to a degree, now fantasy on film, I’ve never just gotten into reading those genres of fantasy.

Expressions: Has there ever been a book you didn’t like?

  Moss: Yeah, plenty. But one’s I put down are very rare that even if I’m not enjoying a book, I’ll usually push myself to finish it. It’s rare that I’ll put down a book, is what I’m saying. And I put down “Infinite Jest” which, in the literary world, is revered as a piece of genius work of literature. It’s not that I don’t see the value in it and David Foster Wallace’s abilities as a writer as talent, it’s just that I found it to be pretentious and the length is just absurd. But I do like some long books. There’s a Murakami book that is super long that I got through and really enjoyed.

Expressions: Have any books impacted your life in any way recently?

Moss: One of them is, “What you’ve heard is true,” which is gripping, moving and tragic. It’s a memoir about the Salvadoran Civil War. Always loved Joy Harjo and getting into her poetry. I’m reading a memoir right now that I’m really enjoying called “Stay True.” It’s about Berkeley in the 90s zine culture, friendship and loss. That and then Mr. Nairne recommended this book too that’s in my upcoming pile; “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks.

Expressions: Have you ever convinced a student to read something that they ended up enjoying?

Moss: In terms of start reading, in class, hopefully, but I’m assuming you’re asking outside of class. I’ve recommended books to students that they’ve thoroughly enjoyed in terms of reading as a whole. I don’t know, I just kind of hope and assume that people do some level of reading outside class. I know that a lot of people don’t for various reasons. A student would have to come to me for recommendations outside of generally encouraging reading, I’m not going to sing a lot of students say hey, you need to read unless I know a student’s interests. And I have some of that I think they’re really going to enjoy but I think to have that kind of relationship but I would also have to know that they’re reading yeah a bit and No.

Reading is a fun and good way to exercise the brain while learning new stories and adventures. Don’t think movies are the only way to escape and learn, books do it too!