Personal Reflection on Reading

I’m an avid reader of non-fiction books. Every day, I carve out a couple of minutes here and there for reading, and my Kindle is always with me.

But something changed recently.

I moved to Angola, and I don’t feel safe going out alone or pursuing any of my usual activities. Consequently, I find myself in a monotonous routine: wake up, work, eat, exercise, work, sleep. There’s barely time for my hobbies.

Needless to say, I feel trapped, whereas back in Portugal, I felt alive and free.

Last Friday, I randomly decided to read a fiction book. I started “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell.

Oh my goodness! How had I forgotten the magic of getting lost in fantasy worlds? In beautiful prose, starting subtle and growing stronger! I feel drawn in with every paragraph. I have found a way to escape my solitude in a country that doesn’t give me much room to breathe.

I had never before considered that reading fiction could be a form of escapism from our harsh reality, but I’m so grateful to have discovered this refuge.

,abreijos