How many of you were at NLB’s Big Book Giveaway last month where 60,000 pre-loved books were free for anyone to take home?

If there is something that you can recommit yourself with passion and gusto, it is to reading and learning.

Reading can be a refuge, quiet lifeline a companion in solitude and certainly a source of transformation. Many well-known figures whose commitment to reading and learning has deeply shaped their lives include:

Reading has such a deep impact on many. There is even a form of therapy called Bibliotherapy that uses books, poetry and stories to help individuals navigate emotional challenges, gain insight and foster resilience. It can be guided by a therapist or self-directed.  

The current book I am reading ‘Reading the seasons: books holding life & friendship together’ by Germaine Leece and Sonya Tsakalakis charts the evolution of their friendship through candid letters between the two who are bibliotherapists. It is fascinating reading about the books and poetry that they recommended to their respective clients.

Like them, I love reading from a young age, Enid Blyton was one of my favourite authors. Her books ignited my imagination for possibilities and inspired my dream of being a published author someday.

When I was in Secondary 1, I had low test scores (huge surprise for me!) for my English subject. My English/ History teacher encouraged me to read more extensively. That is possibly when I shifted from reading purely for enjoyment to reading for learning.

Am grateful for this shift. When things fell apart in my thirties, reading for learning literally saved me. It allowed me to obtain new skillsets to pivot new pathways. Reading became a lifeline when I get discouraged. For example, when I became disillusioned about love, I intentionally borrowed romance books from the library to remain a love optimist. Reading The Alchemist also gave me courage to create a new beginning for myself in spite of the obstacles.

Even now, I read extensively and often, read a few different books at the same time.

There is one difference though between my younger reading self and now.

After learning about manifestations, metaphysics and the power of our minds, I am a lot more discerning about what I read. About what I feed my mind. For example, I used to enjoy reading crime stories and thrillers but have now stopped reading them.

For those of you who are interested, here are some books which were valuable in my transformative journey:

I always tried to be correct, not politically correct.
And I read to understand what works.

– Lee Kuan Yew