How My Love For Books Instilled A Lasting Love of Reading And Made Me An Avid Reader

I was not aware of my love for books or when did I fell in love with reading; until I read that very first book in my life- that totally changed my love for reading! I got lost in its pages, and went delving deep into it. The message beneath those words were not just inspiring, but were so authentic that I could not put it down! And reading turned into a beautiful habit for me. I agree that I started appreciating this hobby later in my life; but from that day onwards, this wonderful experience of my companionship with books  became a significant and treasured part of my life; and my love for books turned me into an avid reader. 

Did you know that books can actually take away your sorrows and pain? They can take you to faraway places you hope to go someday, can give you those powerful wings to fly without leaving your home, can be your voice, can encourage you, can motivate you to dream more, and to do your dreams. Reading takes you places when you have to stay where you are!  

Books can be the best sources of information and inspiration." All you need to do is, include them in your lifestyle, and turn your interest in books into avid reading. Read, because reading gives you that inner peace, power, joy, freedom, and makes you feel happier with yourself and your life. 

I love devouring non- fictional books; that inspires me, and helps me to create positive days in my life, and makes me a careless wanderer. I have always loved scrolling through the blogs and pictures that shows books, favorite picks of the month, personal reading lists, libraries, personal reading spaces, best self-help books, etc. I save and bookmark such posts, and revisit them to feel inspired and to stay motivated quite often!  

Ever since I started reading books; I acknowledged this powerful lesson that, "a book is actually one of the best things in the world. A true friend and the most trusted companion for life." 

" Reading helps me save my sanity, and gives me the power to be myself!" 

I realize that it is very important to instill the love of reading in your kids from a very early age! If books are their friends, they can go far away places, and will never feel lonely again. Introducing these young minds to the wonders of words can build their self-confidence and will help them expand their imagination, will help in building their strong social-emotional skills, and will make them smarter and independent.

My love for books in the recent years have blossomed into a deep appreciation for the love of literature; that has the power to connect us with people, places, and our own self; a strong connection that can improve our lives and develop good relationships! Every time I start feeling low or unhappy; I try to bury myself in the books of my favorite authors- stay there until I feel myself again.

I love reading hardcover books. They make such an authentic "true" companion. No technology can replace the satisfaction we earn after reading hardcovers'. I love to escape in a good book. It usually helps me to take my mind off of what's happening in my life. I totally enjoy that carelessness of my mind- for that moment. Books do impact our lives! I love to lose myself in good books- that leaves behind fresh feelings and many calmed thoughts and emotions.

In past couple of years, I've had the privilege to introduce myself to some new authors; which in turn contributed to [now] my big list of favorite authors and favorite books! I've 72 amazing non-fiction, self-help, inspiring books in my library now! 

Reading is such a beautiful and an easy exercise for our body, mind and soul! So continue reading more and more!

Here are some of the takeaways and benefits I've obtained from being an avid reader. I hope you reap those benefits too! 

1.Reading means you don't have to be alone in this world, especially when it feels like the world forgot about, you being there around! 

Reading has helped me understand that I'm not alone when it comes to dealing with problems of life! When I would read any situation or about characters that showed them going through similar difficulties, I could identify with those characters/situations, and I would feel better to know that I'm not alone! 

Reading has helped me to understand so many aches, and about many silent unspoken realities that exist in the world! And I learned that I'm not alone in my circumstances, and this helped me to connect, heal, and recreate myself! I was able to rise up and stand tall against all the problems I've faced so far in life. 

2. Reading helps you to grow.

Through reading you can challenge your limits!  You can constantly push yourself to read more each day or in a week! Turn your 'reading exercise' into daily habits, and challenge yourself to do better than you did with your last book.  

Reading helps you to use your power of imagination. The habit of reading helps you to train your ability to focus, without getting distracted by anything that's happening around you! You train your mind to develop/create positive mental skills through reading. And that's how reading enriches your growth.

3. Reading introduces us to many more realities we didn't know even existed! Reading helps us time travel, and take us beyond our world to someone else's world-real and or imaginary.

Reading has opened such doors for me, where I've learned so much about the world we live in! I could peek inside those character's life, and sometimes sit with them to learn and understand about the realities they've faced in their life, while I realized I was completely ignorant about all those painful, bitter experiences! 

4. Reading makes you a better person. Reading takes us out of our lives into another world, where we learn about other's struggles, success stories, about their perseverance, determination, success, and failures too! And their stories work as roadmap to help us tweak and or change our thought process, and actions; and motivates us to improve our lives!  

I remember feeling ecstatic when I could relate to author's stories, struggles, and life lessons! And it felt like the book was written for me; and the author knew me so well that she referred me to the solutions, and encouraged me to be better than I was yesterday, through those words in the book!

A good book is more powerful than any treatment! They can encourage us to make life-changing decisions. Research shows that, avid readers have higher levels of self-esteem and are better at coping with challenges.

5. Reading builds life with our favorite memories and meaningful experiences.

Reading not just introduce us to the imperfections of life, but is a great way to build a life supported by our favorite memories, and many meaningful experiences! Remember the memories you're crafting by reading with your kids, or if you're reading with your partner, with your friends, or with other enthusiasts in a book club; all these experiences are creating wonderful memories for you and your children.  

If reading makes you calm, happy, and focused; it is obvious that you've experienced reading to be your self-care ritual, that elevates your mood. It is likely that reading is a rejuvenating activity for you; that fills you with lots of energy and positive feelings!

Not only does regular reading makes you smarter, and well-informed; it also helps us in challenging our perspectives, by opening us to new cultures,  subjects, and vocabulary! We learn so many new things, get new ideas, and see the world through a different lens. 

To be or not to be an avid reader is absolutely your choice, but if you really want to fall in love with books and you don't know where to start; then first pick your favorite subject genre of books, that excites you! Also, you can start with your most favorite author, or choose between fiction and non-fiction collections, or simply start by reading a magazine [that you like], or any comics you have always loved reading in your childhood, and you would like to reread now!  

I want to end this post by sharing some of my favorite quotes for the book lovers, as well as some of my most favorite books that I often reread! I hope this motivates you to fall in love with reading every single day, and you develop your qualities to become an avid reader! 

"Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know." ~Alberto Manguel

"That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet." ~Jhumpa Lahiri

"Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens as well." ~ Mark Haddon

I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book. ~ J.K.Rowling

"The library is the temple of learning and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history. " ~Carl T. Rowan