5 Reasons to Read The Diary of Anne Frank in 2021

Many of us have probably heard about The Diary of Anne Frank and her story. Most likely, you even had an assignment related to it in school.

But have you gotten yourself to read it? If not, you need to buy a copy of it right after this and read it; it will change your way of seeing things, and you can even find some solace during these challenging times. 

This book is the diary that Anne Frank kept with her and wrote her story and her family’s story while hiding for two years during the Nazi occupation of the Netherland.

It is filled with typical teenage issues (I mean, keep in mind that this was a diary). Still, it also displays maturity when she wrote about the war, humanity, and her own identity. Let’s get right into five reasons why you need to read Anne’s diary, especially in 2021. 

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1.) Anne teaches us to never give up

Anne had to live for two years straight hidden in an Annex with her family and another family. She wasn’t able to go outside, not even look outside the curtains for the sake of staying alive. The group of eight people lived in constant fear of being discovered.  

Still, Anne never gave up. She always kept a positive spirit, filled with hope. This does not mean that Anne didn’t felt or expressed loneliness, frustration, and confusion. She did, and in fact, a significant part of her diary is filled with these sentiments. 

Despite this, Anne wrote a lot about how happiness and beauty can be found even in the darkest moment. She never lost hope, and that is undoubtedly one of the reasons why she never gave up.

We can learn from her that no matter what we are going through, there will always be hope. As she beautifully wrote. “I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.” 

2.) It makes us appreciate the little things

If 2020 taught us something is that life is very vulnerable. It hangs on a tightrope. And what really matters at the end are the little things like being around our loved ones, hugging your friends, or just being able to take a walk outside breathing fresh air.

Those little things make us human, and we don’t realize how much we miss them until we can’t do them. 

Anne’s life changed completely, and she was left with nothing of the things her before life had, including her home, friends, and liberty. Still, Anne found a way of keeping life beautiful.

She insisted on the beauty that can be found within one’s soul and the power that lays inside ourselves. She found happiness and joy in the things around her, even in the darkest moments.

After reading her diary, I assure you that you will be more aware of how you are surrounded by wonderful unappreciated things.  

3.) We can learn about World War II and the Holocaust

Learning about the Holocaust allows us to understand the impact of History on our society. History is what enables us to understand ourselves and the World around us.

Is essential to know that the Holocaust was a systematic state-sponsored killing of six million Jewish men, women, children, and millions of others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II.

Besides this book, giving us an insight into the political and historical situation of the moment, this book makes you feel like you are there with Anne.

It breaks a boundary between reading History and reading about historical figures, making you feel personally connected to these people.

It allows us to feel a singular empathy towards Anne and those who had to suffer through this horrendous time. 

4.) The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most read books in the World

It shouldn’t be a surprise that The Diary of Anne Frank is in the top most-read books in the World, and it is also considered one of the books everyone must read before they die.

This book can be cataloged as unforgettable and deeply influential. 

If you are not sure yet if you were going to read it or not, I would consider it. As Stacy Conradt wrote for the Mental Floss: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/51367/10-things-know-about-anne-franks-diary-young-girl

The Diary of Anne Frank “sold more than 30 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages”. Now that is a significant number. 

5.) It shows what humans are capable of 

When I read The Diary of Anne Frank, I felt changed. I was left thinking so much. In a way, I thought I lost a friend when I finished. I also felt inspired by Anne’s courage and way of seeing life, but I also felt mad.

I was angry and frustrated with what these people had to go through. My head wasn’t able to understand how this atrocity occurred, and this was not even 100 years ago. 

I still can’t wrap my head around the idea that millions of innocent people were killed and tortured. Asides from this book being inspiring and eye-opening, it can be sad. It makes you think about how dangerous and damaging antisemitism or any other type of hate and discrimination can be.

This opens up space for us to think about who we allow being in power and how decisions can turn into a significant domino effect. 

Conclusion 

Anne’s diary is, without any doubt, a must read.. It gave me a different perspective of the people that had to suffer from the Holocaust.

I felt inspired me to be more present. I realized how blessed I am and how we can always find light in the darkest places when we have hope and imagination. 

Is normal for us to get uninspired, mad, and sad by everything that happens, and that is perfectly fine.

If Anne taught me one thing is that we are not supposed to diminish or ignore or problems. Is okay to be mad; it is okay to say that you are tired, but know that there is hope.

Find something you like and make the best out of it. So go on and buy The Diary of Anne Frank right now! You won’t regret it.