My Journey Back to Books; I was not the child to go out of my way to find a book to read. Nor did I have the desire to read. I was/am a slow reader or I think of myself as one. I would never finish a book, I would either get too frustrated, feel like I’m going too slow, or I got bored of the book and put it away. The perfect quote for how I felt when reading I got from Bob’s Burgers.
“I’m a slow reader and then I get to a comma and I’m like ‘oh I guess they want me to pause,’ but for how long and how do I know when to stop pausing. I’m never going to finish this book“
Tina Belcher. Bob’s Burgers Season 5, episode 14
I’m not sure what inspired me to start reading but I started with Harry Potter at the age of 18… Now hear me out, Harry Potter is now my comfort read, my home away from home, and a magical story I fell in love with. Harry Potter is no doubt my most read book in my home library. I always read it to get myself out of my depressive state, or to re-find joy in the smallest of things. Most people hate when someone says “yeah, but the book was better” that is 100% the case in Harry Potter and probably a lot of other books turn into movies. Not only are the details better, you get a better understanding of the characters, the story and just how much was left out of the movie.
I believe I started with Harry Potter because I had the visuals from the movies. It was easy to picture the characters and places they lived or traveled to. So I would recommend a book turned into a movie if you want to start to get into reading. And maybe you’ll be the one to tell friends “yeah, the book is way better than the movie.”
One way I’ve stayed intrigued in my reading is to read books about things I enjoy. I’m fascinated by history, especially World War II and the ever lasting effects on today’s world. If you are also a history “buff” like me I would Recommend The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. If you would like to go blind into the book this is your Heads-Up to skip the next paragraph and read on.
The story follows Lale Sokolov, a Slovokian Jew during April 1942. He is forcibly taken to the concentration camps in Aushwitz-Birkenau. His captures discover that Lale can speak several different languages and is put to work at the Tätowierer (German word for Tattooist), and is given the horrible task of permanently marking his fellow prisoners. During his time (more than two and half years) in the concentration camps, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism but also acts of bravery and compassion. Putting his own life at risk, he uses the privileges of his job to exchange jewelry and money from un-alive Jewish people for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive. One day in July 1942 a young trembling woman was waiting in line to have her number tattooed on her arm. Infatuated with her, he vows to somehow survive the concentration camps and marry her.
For me, that transformative thread was woven into the pages of a book—a book that ignited a dormant flame within me and set me on a path of rediscovery and healing.
It was a cryptic TikTok review that led me to purchase the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. As I delved into the captivating world created by Sarah J. Maas, I found myself drawn into a tale that unfolded with exquisite prose and a depth that I had longed for.
Through the journey of Feyre, the book’s protagonist, I rediscovered my own creativity. Lost amidst the mundane rhythms of adulthood, I had forgotten the magic that the ordinary world could hold. But as I witnessed Feyre’s connection to nature, I was reminded of the beauty that surrounds us.
Inspired by the book, I picked up a paintbrush once more. My talent for capturing the ethereal beauty of scenery rekindled within me. It was through this artistic expression that I began to heal my inner child and the constant battle with mental health that had haunted me for so long.
Painting became the catalyst for breaking out of my shell. I found a newfound confidence in myself and began to embrace challenges with a spirit of adventure. Just as Feyre faced her fears and emerged as a warrior, I too began to run with the punches, embracing the unexpected turns of life.
The book had not only ignited my creativity but had also transformed my approach to reading. I now approach every book with an open mind, eager to discover the transformative power it may hold. I am no longer afraid to dive into the unknown, knowing that within the pages of a book lies the potential for another profound change.
For those looking to embark on their own reading journey, I highly recommend starting with a book that has been adapted into a movie. The familiarity of the characters and settings can provide a bridge into the world of reading, making it more accessible for those who may have previously found it daunting.
As you immerse yourself in the written word, you may be surprised by the hidden depths and unexplored territories that await. Reading has the power to expand our imaginations, challenge our perspectives, and ignite a lifelong love of storytelling.
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