How I found my way back to reading

I've always been an avid reader. Words have always flowed through me - and out of me - ever since I could remember. Whilst my dad found passion in maths and science, like my mum, I found relief in words.

I've jumped from career idea to career idea - as you do when you're young and undecided - and all of them have stayed in the realm of writing. Initially wanting to be a lawyer; 'oh you read so much and you like to argue, you'll be great!', and then deciding on psychotherapy because my fulfilment in life comes from whether or not I've helped people - that didn't work out because I realised I didn't have enough passion to pursue post-grad education. I took a gap year and settled on journalism. I have never strayed from something that involves talking, reading and writing.

Until I was about 15/16, you wouldn't be able to catch me without a book in my hand. But social media quickly took over, and I lost my passion for reading. I read a couple of books here and there, but it was so easy to be consumed by streaming platforms that those books never really made much impact (plus I had other financial priorities and I hate eBooks and stopped using the library for anything other than studying).

In March of this year - specifically the 20th - I went to get my hair done, and I decided to bring my book with me because the weather was so beautiful and I just didn't want to be stuck in my phone. I read throughout my whole journey, the whole appointment and finished the book on the train back (I had already started the book a few months before), and it just left me thirsty for more.

That being said the book wasn't that good, it really only got good the last 150-ish pages. 5.5/10.

Anyways, we all know how BookTok has created a boom in the literary industry, and (re)introduced millions to reading. I am one of said millions. My friend recommended 'It ends with us' by Colleen Hoover, AKA the queen of BookTok; and the rest is honestly history.

Since then I've read 39 books and counting - which is pretty decent considering I only read physical copies, and I've been in several ruts due to awful books and you know - life, and started a BookTok page @kesiahreadit.

I've read some amazing books, and some not so great, but I have once again found the peace that reading used to give me, and I feel like I'm slowly finding myself again through reading.