How I Got Back into Reading

Hello, old hobby of mine. I used to love reading, going to the library was a favourite pass time or going into Indigo books and smelling the pages with the distant hint of coffee from the closest Starbucks. Then came my English degree after walking that stage and getting that diploma in my hands I thought this was it. I would walk into the library no longer filled with excitement on what to read next but I was filled with dread. I could barely bring myself to read the back cover of a book to see if I should read it. I stopped going. I would walk into Indigo and walk into the home section where only blankets and pillows were found with scented candles that left a hint of where they were. I couldn’t stand the idea of reading another book.

Alice Munro…I just don’t want to read another “fine literature book”. It’s boring, it’s insanely boring reading those classical books in class was boring. I’d have to re-read chapter after chapter because my brain was being put to sleep. It was an awful feeling.

Then, I came across a book with this little yellow and white sticker it read: “Reese’s Book club” the book was titled “Where the Crawdads sing” this was a book I knew was a literary find. How bad can it be? How boring is it really? I read the first chapter and suddenly the urge to finish the book was there again. What happens next? And before I knew it I had read my first book in years. Yes, you’ve read that right. Years. My passion for reading was dissuaded and complelty dimminished until that book. I then went back to the library and took out another book, this was by Ruth Ware titled “The Lying Game” once again that little yellow sticker was there telling me yet again it was chosen. So moving forwards I kept choosing books that were on the list of Reese’s Book Club and time and time again I was not disappointed. It led me to discover new authors such as Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley and Laura Dave. I got into reading mysteries and books I can’t put down.

I started to rediscover fantasy novels and yes, I mean the Fourth Wing series that teens are obsessed with right now and I love the series so much so that I got the physical copies of books because I will re-read it again and again like Harry Potter. Who cares if it’s a teen novel? I enjoy reading it and immersing myself into worlds that are so different from my own including the ones that live in my imagination, I love reading the ideas that authors had and it inspired my own writing too. Fantasy novels are always so interesting as everyone has a different idea of what fantasy is and should be. I also like to pick up a good rom com novel that makes me laugh outloud even if I am that weirdo in public.

That’s what reading should be it should be about reading what you want not what people expect me to read. My dad the other day wanted to hand me an Alice Munro book, but I couldn’t even touch it, so maybe my English degree did ruin “classical and fine” literature for me I really enjoy reading a good book that I can’t put down. I have Reese’s Bookclub to thank as now I still trust that yelllow sticker at the library or at the bookstore. It has yet to disappoint, so maybe you reader if you need to get your hands on a book I recommend you to look at Reese’s Bookclub list and maybe you’ll find something you enjoy.

Thanks reader!