A quiet corner of inquiry and memory, where voices from the past continue to shape new questions. Photographed at Pfau Library, CSUSB by Ahtziri Gonzalez.
Reading is always so quickly judged by everyone, including myself. It wasn’t until I was recommended books that sparked my interest that I realized books offered an escape from my stressful life.
Many people can’t seem to find time for reading. I was one of them. Between school, work, and scrolling on my phone, reading a book never fit into my schedule. Though once I fell in love with reading, I began to read a book every single day, even though it was so unrealistic for my busy schedule. So, I decided to keep it simple, one book per month. Reading no longer felt overwhelming, but achievable.
As a reader, I’ve been able to escape from reality by discovering new worlds in these books. “The Prison Healer” by Lynette Noni pulls readers into a world of magical powers and tense conflict where love and loyalty are constantly being tested. In those moments, my own worries faded as I became fully focused on the characters’ struggles instead.
Reading has also improved my mental well-being by giving me a break from our fast- paced world. “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston blends magical realism with romance, where a man from the past falls in love with a woman from the future. This book brings comfort and joy in times of stress.
Over time, I’ve also noticed that reading has made me more empathetic. “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabba Tahir follows the story of a young slave girl who’s desperately fighting for freedom in a tyrannical empire. By experiencing different lives through stories, readers become compassionate as they understand that not everyone faces the same reality.
Reading a book per month also builds discipline. A long novel like “The Jasad Heir” by Sara Hashem may seem intimidating, with 600 pages following a fugitive queen hiding from her enemies’ kingdom. But breaking it into small, daily reading sessions within a month makes it manageable.
Beyond that, reading encourages personal growth by expanding the reader’s vocabulary, memory, and enhancing their critical thinking skills. “The Heroes of Olympus” by Rick Riordan is a five-book series that follows seven demigods in their journey to stop the war with an Earth Goddess. This series fosters personal growth for readers by challenging them to follow complex storylines with multiple perspectives. And while many people can’t seem to find reading entertaining, it’s most likely because they haven’t found the right book. If time is the problem, then reading a book per month is realistic. It’s not adding more stress; it reduces it.
The key is to keep it manageable so it becomes enjoyable. Once that’s established, one will begin to notice the differences it makes in one’s life. And once you notice that change, it’s hard to go back.