The Power of Reading: How HON 496 Reignited My Love for Books

For a long time, I associated reading with stress. This was because I only read for school and exams. Consequently, I couldn’t remember the last time I read purely for pleasure. However, in HON 496, everything changed. In this class, I learned about the many benefits of reading for well-being. I was then encouraged to begin reading for pleasure again.

The first book I read for pleasure this semester was Twilight because I loved the movies. My mom was a huge bookworm back then, so I could easily pick out Twilight from her collection. While reading Twilight, I realized why so many people prefer books over movies. Twilight had so many details that were left out of the movie. Twilight allowed me to escape from my reality of stress and into a rainy, supernatural world.

Another book that had a positive impact on me during the semester was Bretman Rock’s newly released memoir. Bretman Rock is a Filipino beauty/social media influencer that I grew up watching throughout my childhood. Reading his memoir helped me feel a sense of connection since we share the same cultural background and upbringing. Additionally, as someone who tends to keep their struggles private, Bretman Rock reassured me that I was not alone since we shared similar experiences. I saw part of myself represented in his memoir, which other readers may relate to with fictional characters or other authors. Therefore, reading for pleasure can also help individuals combat feelings of loneliness.

Overall, I am grateful that HON 496 reignited my love for reading. I usually read in the early mornings before work or at night after completing homework. These scheduled times for reading helped me minimize other distractions. As a result, I felt more relaxed and have integrated reading for pleasure as part of my self-care routine. I now understand the power of reading and hope that through our book drive efforts in HON 496, we can spread the joy of books to those who need it most.