When I think of reading as a hobby, I think of it as a solo activity. Something that lets you step away from your surroundings and get lost in another world. It’s the perfect hobby for an introvert like me.
But in reality, reading is one of the only hobbies that consistently gets me out of my own little world.
As a reader who’s always looking for new books and authors to explore, I’m constantly asking for recommendations. That’s how I found myself in monthly book clubs, online book communities and talking to complete strangers who happen to be holding a book. Whenever I’m out and spot someone reading, I almost always ask what they’re reading and if they’re enjoying it.
My love of reading has turned into a love of talking about books with anyone and everyone.
Today at the pool, I struck up a conversation with a stranger who had just finished her book. I’d read several books by Colleen Hoover, so we ended up chatting about the ones we’d both read and what she planned to read next. By the end of the conversation, she handed me the book she’d just finished so I could add it to my TBR.
So here I sit; reading and building community, one book at a time.