A Year of Turning Pages: My Journey Back to Reading

This year, I rediscovered a long-lost love: reading. As a child, I was a voracious bookworm, devouring stories at every turn. But somewhere between university and grad school, the joy of reading for pleasure quietly slipped away, replaced by academic tomes and deadlines. For years, I barely picked up a book unless I had to.

At the start of 2024, I decided to change that. My modest goal was to read just 10 books—something manageable to ease back into the habit. To my astonishment, I ended the year with 30 books under my belt. Some were long-time wishes: books I’d been curious about as a preteen or teenager but never made time for. Others were buzzy reads I noticed popping up in the reading community or delightful discoveries I stumbled upon.

Here’s a little snapshot of my year in books:
– Shortest Book: 182 pages
– Longest Book: 756 pages
– Average Book Length: 364 pages
– Average Rating: 2.7 stars

It’s fair to say I encountered a mix of highs and lows this year—some books captured my heart, while others left me wanting more. But I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Reconnecting with stories reminded me of the magic and escapism I fell in love with as a child, and I’m excited to carry this momentum into next year.

Here’s to another year of turning pages, meeting new characters, and exploring countless worlds. If you have any recommendations, send them my way—I’m ready for more adventures!