Reading felt out of reach to me
I wanted to be a reader so bad and this was the book everyone was reading at the time.
I remember being a kid and hearing everyone talk about it Harry Potter like it was the coolest thing on the planet. Eventually I finally got my hands on it. And embarrassedly I couldn’t understand any of it. I couldn’t pronounce the characters names. I couldn’t visualize the world and all the the magic seemed so hard to comprehend. What can I say it all just went over my head.
So I’d just listen to everyone else talk about it
and repeated what I heard ( not my proudest moment as a kid) but I wanted in on the hype. FOMO is and will always be real haha.
But yeah that was the moment I kinda told myself
that I’m probably not a reader. (Middle grade age)
But what’s funny is this is also the book that made me want to be one. Because before that reading to me was school assignments and book reports.
Ever since that happened I always thought reading just felt cool to me. No matter how cool it looked to me I still didn’t pick up a book until college.
Okay yeah it took me a while to get here but better late than never.
Did you have a book like this?
When I reflect on my struggles with reading, especially with complex books like Harry Potter, I realize how common this experience really is. Many of us, including myself, have felt overwhelmed by difficult texts during childhood and assumed reading just wasn’t our strength. It was frustrating not to grasp character names or picture magical worlds like others seemed to do effortlessly. But what helped was giving myself permission to approach reading at my own pace. Later on, as I got older, I found it easier to connect with books by choosing ones that matched my interests and reading level. Audio books were also a great tool—they allowed me to listen and follow along, which improved my comprehension and enjoyment. Joining reading communities online or in-person provided a sense of belonging and motivation. People share their own stories of struggle and success, which can be incredibly inspiring. One important lesson I learned is that struggling with reading doesn’t mean you’re not a reader. It means you need the right support and resources. For example, breaking down challenging books into smaller sections, using visual aids, or discussing the story with friends can make reading more accessible and fun. The key is persistence—reading skills do improve with practice and patience. If you’ve ever felt left out of popular reading trends or worried you’ll never enjoy books, remember you’re not alone. Many readers have faced the same hurdles. Just like me, you can find your own path to becoming a confident reader. Whether it’s starting with a favorite genre, exploring graphic novels, or trying audiobooks, there are many ways to engage with stories and build your love for reading. It’s never too late to start your own reading journey.
Have you ever wanted to be a reader but felt like you just couldn’t get into it?