Three Years, Countless Pages, and a Whole Lot of Perspective

Three years ago, I was stuck in a reading rut and bored with my own taste. I’d already read a couple of Oprah’s book club picks, so on a whim, I decided to read the rest. I didn’t know what I’d find, but I had a feeling those books had something to teach me.

To understand how out of character that choice was, here’s a confession: I’m a nonfiction junkie. Give me a textbook, a self-help book, or anything that teaches me a new skill or way of thinking. Novels, though? They test my patience. Why are they always so long? Too often, they feel repetitive or written by authors a little too enamored with their own words. And because I feel compelled to finish everything I start — even when I’m not enjoying it — I usually steer clear of book lists and series altogether. Taking on this challenge pushed me straight into the kind of reading I tend to avoid.

And my experience? Let’s just say it was… interesting.

But before I go there, some gratitude. I’ve never published a book myself, never taken an idea from spark to printed page. So whether I loved your story or not, to every author I read… thank you. Creating something from the heart and sending it into the world is no small feat.

That said, a “good book” is wildly subjective. Some of Oprah’s picks I genuinely enjoyed while others I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy. I was also disappointed to see a few authors appear more than once. With so many incredible voices out there, I couldn’t help but crave more variety. I started the list for fresh perspectives, new stories, and exposure to writers still waiting to be discovered.. But that’s the magic (and the mess) of recommendations. No one’s wrong. We’re all just tuned to different frequencies.

Over the past three years, I read these books in between the nonfiction I naturally love. There were moments I needed to step away from Oprah’s list. Even in fiction, scenes of cruelty and suffering gutted me. I’d have to set a book aside for days before I could continue. But in an odd way, that discomfort revealed an important truth: stories have power. They move us, disturb us, expand us, and remind us that empathy isn’t limited to humans — it’s meant for all living beings.

And those beings are out in the world. The same world I was starting to grow bitter toward, because my favorite pastime was beginning to feel like an obligation. Reading had stopped filling me up. It was starting to drain me.

After a while, I decided that I didn’t need to keep going just to prove I could. I stopped at 115 books, even though Oprah keeps adding more. I learned what I needed to learn. I stretched myself, expanded my worldview, and proved I could stay the course for three years. Now I get to stop — with gratitude, not guilt.

In hindsight, it feels obvious, but some truths take time to sink in…

It’s okay to like what you like.

It’s also okay to change your mind. Read what calls to you, ignore what doesn’t, and stay open to voices that challenge your own. You don’t have to love every story, but you owe it to yourself to listen.

Because here’s the quiet rebellion no one talks about: you don’t owe a book (or anyone’s approval) your loyalty. When reading becomes duty instead of delight, you have permission to walk away. And maybe that’s the real lesson hiding between the lines… this isn’t just about books. It’s about life. About noticing where the pressure to perform comes from and questioning it. Who told you quitting means failure? Who benefits from your misery and exhaustion? What if the bravest thing you can do is simply choose differently?

So here’s to curiosity, courage, and the joy of reading — whatever that means to you! May you always find stories that move you, and the freedom to close the ones that don’t. 🥂