If you’ve ever felt the thrill of getting lost in a good book, you might relate to my story. My reading journey began in the most unexpected place—car boot sales in the UK. Back then, my family lived in the UK for about 4-5 years, and every weekend, we had a tradition. We’d wake up early, pile into the car, and head to the nearest car boot sale. For just a pound, we’d walk away with a box full of books. Yes, you heard that right—an entire box of books for the price of a cup of coffee! It was a book lover’s dream come true, and soon, our home was filled with books of all kinds. From classics to quirky finds, I grew up surrounded by a world of stories.
Returning to Malaysia, my house remained a haven of literature. I was comfortable with physical books; they were my companions, my escape. But as with many long-term relationships, I hit a rough patch—a book slump. No book seemed to hold my interest, and eventually, I stopped reading altogether. For years, the magic was gone, and I wondered if I’d ever find it again.
Enter my brother, the crazy bibliophile. He introduced me to something I had never considered before—Chinese novel translations. These ebooks were a revelation. While reading physical books felt like a cozy escape from reality, these ebooks opened up new worlds, filled with endless possibilities. My imagination soared, and suddenly, I was reading again—devouring stories that stretched my mind in ways I hadn’t thought possible.
As I fell deeper into the world of ebooks, I started to develop a bit of a disdain for physical books. They felt clunky, cumbersome, and outdated compared to the sleek, infinite library I could carry in my pocket. Ebooks were my new obsession, and I couldn’t imagine going back—until BookTok came along and changed my mind. But that’s a story for another time!
So, that’s how I learned to appreciate both physical books and ebooks. Each has its own unique charm, and both have played a significant role in shaping my love for reading. Thanks for joining me on this little trip down memory lane. Follow along for more random tidbits from my world of books!
