Reading Didn’t Become My Habit. It Became My Home

Whenever people discover that I read a lot, they often ask me the same question:

“How do you read so much?”

Sometimes it comes with curiosity, sometimes with surprise, and sometimes with genuine admiration from people who want to read but struggle to finish a book.

I have heard many versions of this question over the years. People ask if I have read famous authors, whether I have read the Bhagavad Gita, whether I ever feel sleepy while reading, or jokingly ask why I couldn't study my textbooks with the same dedication.

Most of the time, I simply smile.

Because explaining why I read feels almost impossible. It feels like explaining why we seek comfort, why we enjoy music, or why certain places feel like home.

Reading has never been just a hobby for me.

It has always been a part of my identity.

My Reading Journey Was Never Planned

One question, however, always makes me pause:

“How did you start reading?”

And honestly, I don't have a perfect answer.

Because I don't remember when I started reading.

There was never a particular day when I decided to build a reading habit. It was never a challenge, a resolution, or a task that I forced myself to complete.

Reading simply existed in my life for as long as I can remember.

Over the years, my reading preferences changed. The genres I loved evolved, and my understanding of stories grew deeper. But my connection with books remained constant.

Reading did not become a habit because I worked towards it.

Reading became a habit because it brought me joy.

How My Family Inspired My Love for Books

When I think about my love for reading, the first people who come to my mind are my Nani and my Mom.

Some of my earliest memories are of watching them read—whether it was a book, a magazine, or even a small newspaper clipping.

Books and reading were always present around me.

Even today, my Nani continues to read. Her choice of books has changed over time, and she now spends more time reading spiritual texts, but the love for reading remains unchanged.

A true reader never really stops reading.

Sometimes I like to believe that my love for books is something I inherited. It is a quiet gift passed down through generations.

The First Books That Made Me Fall in Love With Reading

I still remember the excitement of every new school year.

While many students waited for new books because they were required for studies, I looked forward to one thing—the literature books.

I would open my English and Hindi literature books first, eager to discover the stories hidden inside them.

Those books were not just textbooks for me.

They were new worlds waiting to be explored.

Looking back, I realise reading was never something I had to develop.

It was something that made me happy.

It felt natural.

Almost as if reading found me before I found reading.

How to Start Reading If You Are Struggling With Books

Many people tell me they want to become readers but cannot finish books.

My advice is simple:

Start with a book that matches your interests.

If you love history, begin with historical books.

If you enjoy mysteries, pick up a thriller.

If superheroes fascinate you, explore fantasy or superhero stories.

If you love human emotions, relationships, or personal growth, choose books around those themes.

The problem is usually not that reading is not for you.

The problem is that you have not found the right book yet.

The right story can turn reading from a task into an experience.

Why Reading Is More Than a Hobby

For me, books have always been more than words printed on pages.

They have been an escape from reality, a source of comfort, and a doorway into countless worlds.

Books introduce us to people we may never meet, places we may never visit, and emotions we may never experience otherwise.

Reading is not just about completing a certain number of books every year.

It is about the connection you build with stories.

A Personal Thought on Audiobooks

I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but personally, I do not consider listening to audiobooks the same as reading.

For me, reading is the experience of holding a book, turning pages, pausing at beautiful sentences, and getting lost in the written word.

However, everyone connects with stories differently, and the most important thing is that books continue to reach people in whatever form works for them.

Find Your Book, Find Your World

If you have always wanted to start reading, do not begin by forcing yourself to finish a book.

Begin by finding a story that excites you.

Sometimes one book is enough to open the door to an entire world of reading.

If you need help finding your first book or your next favourite read, I would be happy to recommend books based on your interests.

Because sometimes, the right book does not just entertain us.

Sometimes, it finds a home within us.

Happy Reading ❤️