My Reading Era: A Return to Fiction

After years of being immersed in self-development and business books, I found myself yearning for something different. As a child, I was an avid reader, devouring stories that transported me to other worlds and sparked my imagination. The Babysitters Club and Judy Blume were a couple of my favourites. I even dreamt of becoming the next great child author, much like S.E. Hinton, who started writing The Outsiders at just 16 years old and had it published by the time she was 18. But as it often happens, adulthood brought other priorities, and reading fiction became a luxury I rarely indulged in, or if I did, it came and went in phases.

Reconnecting with Fiction

Recently, I’ve reacquainted myself with the joy of reading. It's not just for the love of stories; it’s part of a bigger picture I’m devoting some of my time. In short, if you want to write better, you need to read more.

I’ve thrown myself into a mix of popular and lesser-known books, exploring genres and stories that reignite my passion for reading.

A Night Out with It Ends with Us

Last week, that passion took me and three of my friends to the premiere screening of It Ends with Us. I was the only one out of the four who had read the book and knew the story, but that didn’t make the night any less fun. We’re all mums, constantly juggling competing responsibilities, so finally making our way out of the group chat and into a pre-movie dinner felt like a victory in itself. It was so refreshing to have adult-only time—especially for me, smack bang in the middle of a house move. Having something to look forward to was more important than ever.

The Movie Experience

As for the movie, I found it to be quite well done. Unlike many book-to-movie adaptations, this one stood out as a good standalone film, even for those unfamiliar with the story. While it dealt with sensitive and triggering topics like domestic violence, it was ultimately an empowering narrative. Despite not having read the book, my friends agreed that it was well worth the watch.

In spite of the off-screen chatter about potential conflicts with the cast, I’d highly recommend the movie. And as a writer myself, it’s always exciting to celebrate another writer’s success in having their book adapted into a film.

Colleen Hoover: A Writing Inspiration

Colleen Hoover’s story is quite the inspiration. She began writing her debut novel, Slammed, on a borrowed laptop while working long hours as a social worker. With no initial intention of getting it published, she self-published the book on Amazon, and it quickly became a viral success. Her work resonated with readers, and the buzz built through social media and blog reviews. Hoover’s success didn’t come from traditional marketing but from her genuine connection with her audience. It’s stories like these—both the ones within the pages and the ones behind them—that remind me why I fell in love with reading in the first place.

Embracing My Reading Era

And so, I’m happy to say I’m back in my reading era. Fiction has once again become a part of my life, and it’s bringing me joy, inspiration, and a much-needed break from the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

How about you? What are you reading at the moment? Have you always read fiction, or is it not for you? Do you have a particular genre or type of book that you love? Are you part of a book club? I’d love to hear about your reading experiences—drop a comment or send me a message!