I didn’t expect to feel slightly called out here. I mostly read on my Kobo for convenience, and I don’t think that makes the experience any less meaningful. If anything, it makes reading more accessible.

This part felt quite personal. The idea that happiness is something we define for ourselves sounds simple, but it’s easy to forget when we compare with others.

"Sometimes a single sentence is more powerful than a whole book."

This really felt like how I read. It’s not about the whole book, but that one line that stays. Sometimes that’s enough to make the reading experience feel worth it.

This chapter felt heavier, but in a thoughtful way. I like the idea of reading to become more aware of yourself and others, not just to consume something. It made me think about what I actually want from reading.

"by insisting on finishing a book you no longer want to read, you're taking time away from the books you're truly interested in"

I needed this reminder. I do feel a bit guilty not finishing books, but it’s true that it takes time away from something I might actually enjoy more.

"when I started to pay attention to the title and who wrote it, it felt as if I'd stepped into a whole new wondrous world where authors and readers are connected by stories"

This part made me think about how I choose books. Paying attention to authors and titles does make it feel like there’s a bigger world behind each book, not just something to finish and move on from.

"Novels don't tell us 'how to live' but show us that 'it's possible to live in a different way'"

I like this perspective on fiction. It’s not about telling us what to do, but showing us different ways of living. It makes reading feel a bit more open, less like it needs a purpose.

"classics help us understand who we are, and the point we have reached"

I found this take on classics interesting. I’ve always seen them as something I “should” read, but not necessarily want to. The idea that they help us understand who we are makes me see them a bit differently.

"I almost always end up on my phone, even when no one's messaged me, and I have no notifications. I reach for it on reflex, and it will be another five or ten minutes before 1look up with a jolt. Because I keep getting distracted, I'm reading extra slowly, and that in turn frustrates me further."

This is a bit too relatable. I do this without thinking—just reaching for my phone even when there’s nothing there. It makes me realise how much it affects how I read, and probably how I focus in general.

"To those struggling to form social connections, Nakajima has the following advice: You just need one single bond... A person you can truly trust, a person that rejoices in your existence. If there's one such person in your life, you'll be able to keep going."

This felt quite comforting in a simple way. The idea that you don’t need many connections, just one person who genuinely sees you, feels more realistic than trying to be close to everyone.