What Reading Means to Us
Reading is many things at once: a refuge, a mirror, a doorway, and a quiet kind of joy. Across the Goldsboro Books team, books are not just something we enjoy, but something that shapes how we think, feel, and move through the world.
For Chiara (Senior Bookseller, London):
“Reading for me is a form of relaxation, it is something that I associate with happiness. Throughout school and then university, I never really had time to read for pleasure even though I’ve always been an avid reader when the chance arose. I like how reading can be many different things all at once; it be a form of escapism, a form of self-discovery, a form of self – reflection.
Reading, especially fiction, can be adjusted to your mood. Had a bad day at work? Read a cozy crime or a light heart rom-com novel. Fancy reading something more challenging, read a 16 book long fantasy series. There really is a genre for everyone for every occasion of life."
This idea of perspective is echoed by Belle (Bookseller Admin Support, London) who sees reading as a powerful creative and intellectual space.
“Reading has always been a creative outlet for me. Beyond entertainment, books invite me to engage creatively with ideas, characters and worlds that extend far beyond my own experiences.
One of the most rewarding aspects of delving into a great book is discovering perspective. Whether this is your own or through a character, reading offers you the chance to access unfamiliar worlds, cultures, emotions and ways of thinking beyond your own. In doing so, reading encourages freedom of thought and challenges assumptions and preconceived notions rather than reinforcing them.
To me, books provide an indispensable space for self-discovery. As a child and still as an adult, reading informs, challenges and defines my understanding of both myself and others.
There is a line in Harry Potter that reads “Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic.” It is a statement that I feel perfectly sums up the power of storytelling and how it continues to educate, inspire and connect those who read and listen."
Emily (Goldsboro Events Manager & DHH Literary Agent) describes reading simply, and beautifully, as escape:
"Put simply, it’s an escape. Not necessarily from real life or anything “bad”; more in the sense that it allows me to see the world a different way and understand different perspectives / experiences. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I just need to dive in to bed with snacks and a good book (Freida McFadden works a treat for me pretty much every time if I need a quick fix). Reading has shaped the way I approach things - both good and tricky - in my every day life. I reference wise characters, I’ve often tried to recreate recipes or foods I’ve found in books and rather than buy me flowers or chocolates, my husband built me a library in our house as a gift. I cannot think of a better way to be told someone loves you. Making space for the things that bring you joy. Without books, I’d be lost. And to that end, without authors, I wouldn’t have a job. I’m grateful every day for them."
For Lizzie (Capital Crime Festival Director), reading is both comfort and reset.
“I'm happiest when I am immersed in a really great book. It balances me out and resets me if I'm stressed, down or anxious. For me, it's pure escapism and therapy! If I'm in a bad mood, it's usually because I haven't read in a while - fortunately for me, and those around me, I get to read lots of excellent books for 'work'!"
Taken together, these reflections show that reading is never just one thing. It’s personal, adaptable, and deeply human. It helps us rest, question, imagine, and connect. And in all its forms, it continues to be something we return to again and again, whether that be for joy, for clarity, and for ourselves.
What Reading Means to You
We want to hear from you - tell us what reading means to you in the comments below (and we might even feature your answer in future blogs/newsletters).
There are no wrong answers.
3 comments
Reading has always been there for me throughout my life.
As a child who was bullied at school reading Rod Dahl showed me that happiness will come, it won’t always be this way and bullies don’t win.
When I was in a difficult relationship and everyone thought that person was wonderful books were there as an escape telling me that things were going to get better. They were a rock.
Since childhood I’ve read daily, and my genre used to remain within the mystery, crime and historical fiction camp.
Then I started reading other genres in my early twenties. They taught me about life and people as much as any text book. If I was studying a hard going text book during the day, I’d pick up something light to balance it at night. People have often said ‘are you reading, again?’ and been surprised that I reply ‘why wouldn’t I be?’ It’s the thing that keeps me anchored, that makes sense of things, whatever I choose to read at the time, and that can vary from a romantic comedy to a dark thriller, a history book to a psychology book. Without reading I wouldn’t be me.
I’m with Lizzie on this – it’s my one constant. From being given a Storyteller magazine in 1983 to keep me quiet I have always seen reading as my calm therapy.
I am always happiest with a book in my hand and when I discover a new author or when I read a new release from my one of my favourites, it never disappoints.
Gasp with shock, laugh from the pit of your belly and cry like a baby….reading evokes emotions like nothing else but it ALWAYS makes me happy.
Some of the best memories in my life have books in them. I travelled to the UK to visit my Nana ( the light of my life ) in the 70’s and she would take me to the library every day . I remember taking an apple and a book and sitting with my mother on the sand for hours in the wind reading. She often mentioned that by the age of thirteen I read all the books in the house twice. During Franco’s dictatorship in Spain, books arriving from the UK were special for me and I ran from school as fast as I could on those days, knowing a new world awaited me. From “The brothers Kamarazov” to “Exodus” , “Pride and Prejudice” to " The Dreyfus Affair" , " Great Expectations" to “Don Quixote” , “Moby Dick” to “Madame Bovary”…. and endless list of books that became great pillars of my education. Books gave me wings, dreams and hope. Some of my heroes as a young girl were Pollyanna, Jo March, Joane of Arc, Phileas Fogg, William Tell, Heidi…. I ended up leaving home quite early as I felt the need to explore and subsequently finished my “official education” later on. Had to visit all the places I had read about and sit on the desks some of those books were written on. Books are my life. When I celebrate I buy a book, when I have a bad moment I buy a book. A house without books is a house without a soul….