Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today I’ll be delving into the books that got me back into reading.
I feel like many people in my age group, I was a reading fiend growing up and then I stopped reading for 10 plus years. It wasn’t until 2022 that I got back into it, and like many other women, it was the romance/romantasy genre that revived my love for reading. Now, I am once again a reading fiend having read and listened to about 100 books last year. Many books I have read in the last few years were books adapted into shows and movies. If I watched the show or movie and enjoyed it, then I would read the book. I know, I know, why would I do that if I already know the ending?
✨Anxiety✨
No, in all seriousness, it’s because most times movie/show adaptations take liberties (as they should) and the book is usually different enough that I don’t mind. Or, for instance, with the Outlander series, I LOVED the first season, so after watching the first season, I paused and started reading the books. Now, don’t get me wrong, the books are LONG. They are quite the feat to get through and personally, I need to take breaks in between sections, read other books, and then go back to finishing it. But this isn’t the series that got me.
The series that got me was Bridgerton. These books are fun, light, and easy to read. They’re pretty short, so I felt like I was accomplishing something, and while in the throes of the newborn trenches, I needed to feel like I accomplished something–ANYTHING really.
The next series that revived my love for reading was the ACOTAR series by SJM. I know, a little cliche. But, it’s true. I read and listened to the books and I loved them.
Following this same trend, the next book I read was Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, quickly followed by Throne of Glass by SJM. In between these romantasy series, I sprinkled in contemporary romance, thrillers, women’s fiction, and historical fiction.
T used to tease me that all I read was smut, and at first, it bothered me, but after a bit I realized, who cares? I know that isn’t true. I know I’m reading epic love stories and psychological thrillers. I know I’m expanding my mind and learning new words and phrases. I know that I’m enjoying myself.
I learned that I love audiobooks. Some people choose to bash audiobooks and say “that isn’t actually reading,” but who are they to dictate how I absorb information? They don’t have the same life as me. Many people who make these types of comments don’t have young kids, and aren’t in the same season of life. Who cares if I listen to audiobooks while I go for walks or runs or while doing chores?
All of this to say, you have to absorb information in the way that works for you.
Now that life is slightly less chaotic, I take Monday and Thursday evenings to read–and usually read throughout the week when I have time–but I listen to books everyday.
The reason I started reading again was because I knew that reading that particular book was low stakes. I knew that the books were short and were easy reads. If you’re looking to get back into reading, perhaps find a show or movie you enjoy that is based on a book. Perhaps you’ll find, like me, that the book is, more often than not, better than the show/movie. Perhaps you’ll find, that starting with feel-good, low-stakes books is the way to go and you’ll find your favorite genres.
As a side note, I also re-read some books I enjoyed as a teenager, but I can attest that my tastes have changed lol.
Thanks for reading 😉 and good luck on your book journey!