Chapter 1: The Lost Art of Enjoyable Reading

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us have experienced a dip in our love for reading. The days when we could lose ourselves in a captivating story seem far behind us.

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

Last night marked a significant moment for me—it was the first time in eight long years that I truly immersed myself in a book. On a spontaneous trip to Walmart, I stumbled upon “Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell. Once I settled on my couch at home, I began to read.

Halfway through the book, it struck me: I hadn’t read for pleasure in nearly a decade. While I had consumed a book each week during that time, they were all for academic purposes—studying for tests, writing essays, or gathering data for discussions.

This academic approach robbed me of the sheer joy of being enveloped by a narrative. I missed the experience of being so captivated by the story and the author's prose that the outside world faded away, and time seemed to pause.

Although I read several books I enjoyed, the experience was never the same; I was taking notes rather than allowing the words to resonate within me. At times, I feared I might never regain that ability.

After countless academic readings, the thought of picking up another book felt exhausting. I found myself resorting to mindless reality TV to escape. The last thing I wanted to do after a long day of classes was to read more. I purchased a single book during that period but barely made it through 20 pages before realizing I was too drained to immerse myself in the author’s world.

Moreover, I felt I had lost my ability to read for enjoyment. Even when I tried, I found myself analyzing the text, searching for key points suitable for discussion. But that’s not what I craved from literature; I longed to be absorbed in them, free from analytical constraints.

But then, last night, as I picked up that book, something magical happened.

Now, almost a year after leaving school, I have embraced my identity as a writer and researcher. My daily reading for work is far less intense than my academic obligations, allowing me to gradually rediscover lost passions. I’ve returned to exercising, spent more quality time with family, and, most importantly, I’ve started reading again!

Initially, it felt unfamiliar to dive back into a book. However, before I knew it, five hours had vanished, and I found myself vividly imagining the characters and losing myself in a different realm.

The emotional weight of that experience nearly brought me to tears.

I had convinced myself I was incapable of enjoying reading again, and the relief I felt to discover otherwise was overwhelming.

I want to share this experience with anyone who feels they’ve lost their love for books during their academic journey. Rest assured, it can be reignited. Your passion for reading hasn’t vanished into thin air; it’s still there, waiting to be rediscovered. You will again find yourself so engrossed in a book that returning to reality feels jarring. The characters will leap off the page, and the words will resonate in your mind.

I’m unsure if this feeling is universal or if I’m just an anomaly. However, if it is a common experience, I want to reassure you that your love for reading can and will return. It’s not a permanent loss.

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If you found my story relatable and would like to support my reading journey, feel free to buy me a coffee, so I can delve into more books and create more content. :)

Chapter 2: Embracing Reading Again

The first video, "Am I Falling Out of Love with Reading?" explores common struggles with maintaining a passion for books and offers insights on rekindling that love.

The second video, "Lost Interest In The Book? Here's What To Do | How To Read Boring Books?" provides practical tips for those struggling to engage with their reading material.