Serendipity

Growing up, the idea of reading never appealed to me. Books were always associated with school, and because of that, I developed a strong aversion to them. This connection between books and school is something I think many of you can relate to. When we think of books, we often recall textbooks, Shakespeare, and other “boring” books that were forced upon us by curriculums. Over time, this led me to believe that I hated books altogether.

However, as I got older, my perspective began to shift, even if I didn’t fully realize it at first. Recently, I had a conversation with a car salesman who asked me about my hobbies. Without hesitation, I mentioned that I love reading, particularly books about finance and self-help. This prompted him to ask me a math question regarding the financing of the car. I looked at him and smiled, explaining that I’m actually terrible at math and even flunked a grade in high school because of poor math grades. He was clearly puzzled, assuming that since I loved reading finance books, I must be good at math.

I explained to him that my love for books isn’t rooted in the content in the traditional sense. While others might read to absorb specific information, I read to understand the mindset behind the words. It’s not that I ignore the content, but I’m more intrigued by the thought process and experiences that led the author to write the book. Anyone can write a book, so why did I choose yours? It’s the human connection that fascinates me.

In my mid-20s, books became the mirror through which I began to rebuild myself. Where I once detested reading, I started to lean on books to help me see how ignorant I was. I read to educate myself—not just through the content, but by gaining a deeper understanding of the people who wrote these books. I devoured biographies and self-help books, and it was the careful articulation of ideas that made me fall in love with both writing and reading. I fell in love with the process of seeing an idea come to life, of reading a book from start to finish as if I were watching a documentary on the life of the author. By the end of the book, I could feel the resilience and strength of the writer, and I knew then that reading was going to enable the change I hadn’t seen in years.

Some of the books that have profoundly impacted me include Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, which offered insights into a world beyond the one I was raised in. The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff, a deeply moving account of a man wrongfully accused who, even when faced with death, found inner peace and dedicated himself to helping others. The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene, one of the first books I read and later revisited in my 20s, taught me that no matter your circumstances, you’re not defined by what others expect of you. Finally, One Liter of Tears – A Young Girl’s Fight for Life by Aya Kito, a poignant diary that made me realize how much I had taken life for granted.

These books have shaped my understanding of the world I live in. While some people might watch videos on similar topics, I’ve come to appreciate that reading is a deeply personal experience. What I take away from a book might be entirely different from what another person gleans from the same pages. The knowledge within books is available to anyone who seeks it, but its interpretation evolves with us as we grow and change. If I were to read those same books now, at this stage of my life, I would likely extract different lessons than I did when I was 25.

Books are, at their core, just slabs of paper bound together. But it’s the person holding the book who has the power to build with the knowledge inside. Some can build kingdoms and a better world, while others may use the pages to fuel the fire that keeps them warm as they wait for change to happen.