To read a book is such delight: A Journey Through Words, Fear and Becoming

IOL News

11-06-2025

Whispers Within the Pages Between the covers of stories not my own, I discovered mirrors. Books helped me name fear, reframe growth and slowly write myself into a more intentional narrative.
As a child, I memorised a simple line: 'To read a book is such delight.' That innocent joy—the thrill of flipping open a new world—still sparks something inside me.
But over the past 18 months, reading and writing about transformation has shown me that books aren't just delightful. They're catalytic. They've pushed me to confront fear, question long-held beliefs, and begin rewriting my own story.
Have you ever stumbled upon a sentence so true it stopped you in your tracks, made your heart race, and your thoughts scramble to catch up? When was the last time a book helped you challenge something you believed—about yourself, about the world, or about what's truly possible? Or a story that made you see yourself differently, even just a little?
This journey?
Far from smooth. There were days when the words wouldn't come and self-doubt shouted louder than any spark of inspiration. I remember one afternoon, staring at a blank page, paralysed by the whisper: 'Who do you think you are to write this?' But I've learned that it's often the difficult days that teach us the most. They show us who we are when everything feels uncertain.
Each book became a mirror, a map, a compass. They challenged me to rethink what's possible, to sit with discomfort, and to welcome change—even when it felt like the ground beneath me was shifting.
Here are 10 lines from books that became guideposts along my path of fear, growth, and becoming:
1. Outlive by Peter Attia
"Longevity is not just about adding years to life, but life to years." What does it mean to truly live, not merely survive?
2. Belonging: Finding Tribes of Meaning by Alison Weihe
"We all crave connection; belonging is the soil where growth takes root." Where do you find your tribe?
3. Living on Earth by Peter Godfrey-Smith
"We are the earth's story, written in flesh and breath." How connected do you feel to the world around you?
4. Optimal by Daniel Goleman & Cary Cherniss
"Emotional intelligence is the compass that guides us through life's storms." How well do you navigate your inner world?
5. The Four-Way Path by Francesc Miralles & Hector Garcia
"Happiness blooms where purpose, love, and hope intertwine." What fuels your happiness?
6. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
"You can't control others, but you can master your response." How often do you choose your reaction over impulse?
7. Nervous System Reset by Jessica Maguire
"Healing begins when we learn to soothe our own nervous system." What calms you when life feels overwhelming?
8. AI and the Human Spirit by Sameer Rawjee
"Technology should amplify our humanity, not replace it." How do you balance technology with your inner life?
9. The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
"Empowering others is the surest path to lifting ourselves." How do you lift those around you?
10. Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
"Love and sacrifice are the twin flames that ignite resilience." What sacrifices have shaped your strength?
Bonus: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher
"Every dialogue is a chance to rewrite your story." What conversations have changed your life?
These lines have been my compass, steady through the storms, illuminating the path ahead. What about you? Which words have shifted your thinking, or moved you closer to who you're becoming?
Reading a book is a delight. But living its lessons? That's transformation.
So the next time a line reaches out and grabs you—hold onto it. Let it unravel you, rebuild you, remind you who you truly are.
Books may not have all the answers, but sometimes, they ask exactly the right questions.
And maybe, that's where the real magic begins.