Loving the atmosphere. I know nothing about this book, and have never seen the film, but I’m loving the vibe so far. Have you read Rebecca?

When I was younger I loved to read. I would read 2/3 books a week - I was known as a bookworm. My favourite author is Jodi Picoult. Then I got older and life gets in the way, so reading wasn’t something I was able to do as much.

When I was a few months married and a few months pregnant I decided to read the Harry Potter series and settled on the sofa.

The comments from my husband were confusing. Comments I had never really heard before, especially about reading because I was always praised for reading books growing up - “Why are you reading that shit” and “Harry Potter is for children” and “Reading is for idiots. You’re so stupid.”

I never picked up a book again.

Fast forward almost 10 years and two children later. The kids and I have been free for almost 7 years. We have been through some things, trust me, but we are free. About 4 months ago I realised how much I was missing out on, but due to supervised contact with the children happening in my home twice a week I never felt comfortable reading. It made me feel sick, made me upset, and I wouldn’t even be able to pick up a book. But I wanted to.

And then I saw an advert for a Kobo E-reader about 6 months ago. I realised I might actually be able to do this. Could I read again? Using this device meant no one could see what I was reading and I could sit in my house and read ANYTHING I WANTED without prying eyes and comments (yes he still does it).

I took the leap and I bought one. So far I have only read 5 books. This is huge for me. I’ve enjoyed every second of it and I love how hidden reading can be on an e-reader. I’m getting faster at reading (because it was hard to focus to begin with), and I’m finally feeling like I got a piece of myself back.

I’ve had to work through the shame and guilt but there has been a silver lining. My daughter (7) now loves audiobooks - what do I do? Encourage it. I give her a dollar for every book she listens to. I don’t care if it runs me dry - I will give her all of my money if it means that she gets to do something she loves.
I also constantly remind her that she should NEVER let ANYONE tell her that reading is stupid or put her down for reading. And I say it in-front of her dad too.

I just wanted to share because I am proud of myself for getting back into it. I did a big thing :)

What are you reading? What are you excited about reading next? What have you finished this week? Let us know your thoughts on it and share in each other's joy about books!

I never read as a child. Never. I never picked up a book and anything that was assigned in school i barely looked at. The first book I was ever interested in was 'The Outsiders' and I didn't even finish it. (I watched the movie tho).

It wasn't until 2020 when i read the Harry Potter books for the first time and absolutely loved them - but then again; haven't finished the last 2. That was until recently. Possibly in the last 2 months.

I have fallen in love with reading and books, especially fantasy and historical fiction. I am barely on my phone nowadays and just look forward to reading my book at night. I sleep better, I feel more engaged with life, and my emotions are that of a normal person because I am not looking at social media all the time lol

I am putting this here because I don't really have anyone else to talk to about this but I am so happy to be in this community and I can't wait to read until my little heart's content.

Happy Reading everyone :)

I was never really interested in reading books at first. One day, a friend recommended a book to me, so I gave it a try. She ended up not finishing it, but I continued reading and then started the second part, third part, and eventually more books from the same author.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I had actually fallen in love with reading. Now I can easily get lost in a good book for hours.

Did anyone else start reading because of one random book or recommendation?

Hoping this is my next great read. So far, the prose is so readable and lovable. It reminds me of Brick on The Middle! And I'm a sucker for time traveling or multi-generational viewpoints.

Has anyone read this? Will this book crush my heart or be hopeful?

English is not my mother tongue but I like reading books in it. I’m currently reading “A Little Life” and though I can follow the outline and the main idea of the book, I keep dropping tiny details, which probably won’t matter too much but I’m still upset that I can’t fully understand and enjoy the book as much as native readers. Is there any good mindset for me??

What was your favourite top tier read in September? How many books did you read? What book are you most looking forward to reading in October?

By the time I finished this book, I still don't like Sybil's personalities 🤔

To me, it was a OK read.

There was some interesting plots that I liked but I don't think I will read it again

I want to read more but am also aware of how sedentary of a hobby it can be. I am often not even sitting but laying down while reading. Has anyone tried this before? Did it affect comprehension? If you haven’t tried it yourself, what are your thoughts? I’ve tried reading while waking on a treadmill before but it made me feel kind of motion sick with the bouncing.

I usually do not use a bookmark, I just dog ear my books. And someone around me were offended by that! According to them, using a bookmark is a more civilized way of dealing with books and they don't like having folds in their pages etc.

But personally I think the opposite way. It's a book, it's supposed to be read, and re-read, and shared and all that. It's not some decorations to just stay behind a glass cabinet and be pristine. I do have to say I don't like people who destroy books, like pulling off pages and drawing over them to be unreadable, I'm not justifying that. It's just, to me, reading is the main purpose, it has to happen that's all. And guys what are your thoughts on this, and if there's anyone who agrees with me, can you share me pics of your books as well?

This prologue.

"Some nights, if I'm sleeping on my own, I still dream about Whitehorn House...the house is always empty. The bedroom are bare and bright, only my footsteps echoing off the floorboards, circling up through the sun and the dust motes to the high ceilings...in the sitting room the piano is open, wood glowing chestnut and almost too bright to look at in the bars of sun, the breeze stirring the yellowed sheet music like a finger. The table is laid ready for us, five settings—the bone-china plates and the long-stemed wineglasses, fresh-cut honeysuckle trailing from a crystal bowl—but the silverware has gone dim with tarnish and the heavy damask napkins are frilled with dust. Daniel's cigarette case lies by his place at the head of the table, open and empty except for a burnt-down match. Somewhere in the house, faint as a fingernail-flick at the edge of my hearing, there are sounds: a scuffle, whispers. It almost stops my heart. The others aren't gone, I got it all wrong somehow. They're only hiding; they're still here, for ever and ever." —Tana French, The Likeness

I’m reading this one currently and loving it and really trying to delve into the underlying thoughts and messages that Pasolini is giving. Has anyone else read this and what were your thoughts? I haven’t seen the film.

Just finishing up A little life by Hanya Yanagihara - tell me something i'll understand once i start this book ~ no spoilers plss 🩶

Literally started this around last week and already am on chapter 5, I need to own a copy & am hoping the rumors about it becoming a movie are true. Omg. Any other books like this, Circe, & secret history? That kinda vibe speaks to me. I’ve also loved crave series by Tracy Wolff, but omg this book is worth the hype to me. I NEED IT BAD 😭😭

It’s finally time I read this. Anyone else reading some horrors for October?

What are the favorites you read so far this year? I just hit 36 books and these are the big stand outs for me!

Big Swiss - It lived up to the hype. Weird girl lit, queer.

15 Dogs - Never read anything like this before and I wish I could read it again for the first time. Philosophy, apologue.

The Urge: Our History of Addiction - Really well written historical/social analysis of addiction.

Piranesi - Also lived up to the hype. Oh my god. Similar to 15 dogs in the sense that it was so unique and special. Mystery

The Lathe of Heaven - My current favorite. It was a little bit slow in the beginning, but worth it and a complete masterwork of philosophy being embedded in sci-fi.

If you are looking for a new memoir to read, read Suffer a Witch. It’s the author’s memoir on surviving SA at the hands of her youth pastor and it’s written in verse. Throughout there are also the author’s letters to women who were wrongfully accused of witchcraft throughout history, or had their stories exploited, or used their voices to speak up. I have around 100-150 pages left to read, but I think it’s going to be 5 stars!