I was counted, one and a half years ago, among those students in my class who had an aversion to reading books. It was not only impossible for me to read books, but even just looking at books felt like a task equivalent to breaking a mountain. Many advised me to read, but all their efforts to make me understand the importance of reading went in vain. It never occurred to me to give even a little attention to what they were saying until the day I entered the classroom and, out of nowhere, the idea of picking up a romantic novel flashed in my mind while I was fidgeting with my fingers in class to avoid boredom. The thought intrigued me, so I darted toward the library with a curiosity, energy, and passion that I had, perhaps, never felt in my entire life.

The first novel I took from the shelf that day was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. From that day on, I embarked on a new journey, unknown, alone, and passionate, that continues to this day without any halt. The only friend I have made acquaintance with in these one and a half years is books.

I come from the circle of those interested mainly in reading novels. Reading colourful books filled with different stories and experiences of various characters has transformed my way of thinking and understanding life. What once began as a fun thought of reading romance novels (which, at that time, I didn’t even think would last long) has now become the only solace I can rely on in every situation, whether I feel broken or whole.

I want to share with you how I came to take an interest in reading books. Honestly, for many months, I couldn’t figure out why my interest in reading continued when so many others lost theirs over time. After pondering my life, from a few years ago to now, I finally came up with the answer today.

As it’s often argued in reports and supported by empirical evidence, Generation Z is emotionally fragile. Without any apparent reason, we can become dejected. If someone makes even a subtle comment, we can feel hurt instantly. I am one of those in Generation Z who sometimes suddenly fall into dismay, without any reason, or feel irritated by the smallest of matters.

As human beings, we instinctively seek others who share our thoughts or are going through similar difficulties. I, too, was on a quest to find someone who could understand me. But I became utterly confused when everyone around me betrayed my trust. I couldn’t find solace anywhere, and this left me feeling isolated and misunderstood.

Like many, I also found it hard to trust anyone. I once confided in a so-called best friend about some confidential matters, only to find that, not long after, those same secrets were shared with every classmate. This was a painful lesson, and it reinforced my sense of distrust.

Unlike many, I am not privileged with an environment at home where I can freely express myself. It’s not that I fear speaking up with my family, but rather, I’m faced with the dilemma of whether they will truly understand the essence of what I’m trying to say. The daily challenges I face as a student, things like going to school and living in a dormitory, are experiences they have never had, and it’s hard for them to grasp what I’m going through.

Furthermore, many of my friends come from well-educated families, yet they, too, feel reluctant to share personal matters with their parents. So, how could I ever tell a teacher about my personal issues? It seemed nearly impossible to even imagine.

Given all this, I was left wondering what else I could do. I was fearful of trusting anyone, and even if I did trust them, like my parents, I couldn’t speak freely due to reluctance. The only alternative I found was books. A Thousand Splendid Suns was the first book that spoke to me on a deep emotional level, where I found characters who shared similar thoughts and struggles, even if our circumstances were different.

From that moment, whenever emotions bubbled up inside me, whether joy, sorrow, or frustration, I would pour them into the pages of books. Books never judged me, never betrayed me. They welcomed my silence and always returned with characters and stories that mirrored my feelings. Most of the time, I found answers to my personal struggles within the pages of a novel. Now, books are the one thing I can trust completely. I no longer seek out friendships that might let me down. I’ve long stopped looking to others for solace, and instead, I’ve turned to books, which never betray me.

Books became my safe space, my trusted confidant, and the one constant I could rely on, especially during difficult times. That’s why I continue to read, no matter where I am, or what others may think of me.

The second reason for my continued love of reading is my fascination with learning about different cultures and civilisations from various times and places. I’ve always been interested in learning about how people lived, what they believed, and the experiences they went through. Novels provide a unique way to explore these worlds, to travel through time and space without leaving the comfort of my chair.

I am never tired of discovering the stories of different people and their unique experiences. Books offer me the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures and viewpoints, all while I remain in my own space. And this is precisely what continues to keep me engaged. I started my reading journey out of curiosity, thinking I would simply enjoy a romantic novel. But over time, I realised that books offer so much more: they provide insights into the lives of people like me, and they immerse me in different cultures and civilisations, all in one place.

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