When I was a kid, I knew something was wrong with my reading skills. I struggle to read at a normal pace, and to remember what I just read, I have to reread pages several times. It’s a skill I don’t enjoy sharing just 'cause I feel it’ll result in shaming. My earliest reading-related memory was my mom (who was frustrated with me at the moment) asking me, “Why are you reading so slowly? Read faster!” Then, under her breath, she’d say she could read faster than I could, despite how bad her English was. That became a core memory for me ever since, but don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. Since meeting my best friend, I was introduced to the world of comics and manga! That was a big help in boosting my confidence in reading and was a great inspiration on my journey as an artist. Since then, though, I’ve never gone out of my way to pick up a book and read for fun because it wasn’t really fun to me. Oh, and I did try reading with audiobooks, and it helps to some degree. Yet again, my dumb brain insists on listening to an audiobook while reading a physical book in order to really remember what I read. Otherwise, I will get easily distracted and the audiobook will turn into background noise.

You would think that with all that, I probably still don’t read much to this day, but you’d be wrong! I have actually been reading a lot more recently! In most cases, without an audiobook! It also helps that the books I’ve been reading have been pretty interesting and fun. I would say I've read 4 books over the past 2-3 months (I’m on my 5th right now), which is crazy. I’m honestly proud of myself for facing my fear of reading. Any doubtful voices in my head have been silenced to make way for the now-positive voices that have been encouraging me to branch out, read more, and try different genres.

I have so far read books such as Dungeon Crawler Carl, Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, The Haunting of Leigh Harker, and How to Sell a Haunted House. The current book I am reading is Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski (the author of The House of Leaves). I ask with genuine enthusiasm and curiosity to please share any book recommendations you may have! I am game to expand my library! Well, I wish you well and hope good things come your way! Till next time!