Presenter Jess Schöne enjoys reading crime novels

For Jessica Schöne, reading offers a brief escape from everyday life. The presenter says she enjoys crime novels, romantic stories “with lots of heart” and, from time to time, biographies. She prefers stories that grip her, affect her and remain in her thoughts.

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Reading means immersing myself in other worlds and briefly escaping everyday life.

“Reading means immersing myself in other worlds and briefly escaping everyday life,” Schöne said in Mainz. She described the experience as a moment when breathing becomes calmer, the everyday carousel of thoughts pauses and time seems to stand still.

A good story can make her laugh, surprise her or encourage reflection. Schöne also values the way reading leaves room for the imagination. “And the best thing is: When reading, the story is created in your own head. That is why you always like the books better than the film adaptations.”

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I like stories that grip me, affect me and, ideally, stay in my head.

Her own model for reading aloud was her father. He changed his voice while reading and invented many stories, Schöne recalled. She wanted to read aloud as well as he did, so she began before starting school and later took part in every reading competition.

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And the best thing is: When reading, the story is created in your own head. That is why you always like the books better than the film adaptations.

Schöne now supports reading aloud with other public figures and Stiftung Lesen. The campaign “I Read Aloud, Do You?” also includes comedian Bülent Ceylan, musician Peter Maffay and food video producer and entrepreneur Saliha Ozcan, known as Sally. Its message is that anyone can serve as a role model for reading aloud.

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I always wanted to be able to read aloud as well as my dad.