Reading – My Perpetual Happy Place

Reading books has always been my happy place. The more books, the merrier! During quarantine, my old flame and I have been reunited and it feels so good. I actually forgot how much I love to sit down and physically read a book. Previously, I had been pretty much exclusively listening to books on Audible while getting ready for work, commuting, or doing my nails.

Now don’t get me wrong, Audible is amazing! It was the only way I was able to read all the books I read last year. It’s wildly convenient, especially since it can be difficult to “find the time” to sit down and read without feeling guilty for not doing the million other things you feel you could be doing. Since when did reading become unproductive?

Anyway, in an effort to get back to a happier place and calm my mind, I decided to “find the time” to get back into reading. I started with “I’m Still Here – Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness” by Austin Channing Brown. WOW my world (and my heart) absolutely exploded. I cannot believe how much I missed reading physical books.

Then, after deciding I was going to alternate fiction with the heavy hitters (hello? mental health, is that you?) I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Be still my beating heart. It was so nice to leave 2020 and be transported back to Hogwarts. It’s still as wonderful, fun, and magical as the first time I read it. And I’m so grateful for that. Find your happy place and go there.