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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Loved this post very much - it made me ponder the books I have read and the ones I have loved. I haven’t read many books in the last number of years; commuting over 3 hours per day meant I was so exhausted when I got home, and on weekends, I didn’t have the time or energy to get into a good book. Now that I am home, trying to survive as long as I can with Ovarian Cancer, I am planning to make up for time. I have a list two pages long of books I’d like to read. I can’t wait!

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Wow that was a fast read Deborah. Thank you so much! I can understand, when my kids were way younger I also stopped reading for a few hours. I finally have time, so I read a lot more. I love it. It's such a mindful act. I'm sorry to hear about your ovarian cancer, sending you wishes to get well soon and that you can find solace in books.

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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Thank you Wajeeha - (what a lovely name, by the way)… I am actually finding an incredible amount of solace being on Substack. I am so grateful I stumbled upon it and made the effort to start my own. I’m not sure if you have come by to read any of my posts - I have only four so far, but it’s been only a little over two weeks…. I have so many stories to tell I don’t think I can get them all out! By the way, one of my very favourite books of all time was called The Witching Hour by Ann Rice. I loved all of her books that I read - I have not read them all though. I actually went to New Orleans and visited her house in the Garden District, which is where many of her books took place. I bought a signed copy of The Witching Hour at her neighbourhood books store. Very special experience. I remember loving her prose so much that I would write my favourite lines down in a notebook because they were so delicious….. :) Anyways thank you for your well-wishes…. My cancer is unfortunately inoperable (therefore terminal) but how long I have is a complete mystery…. Perhaps better that way! Take care, and I look forward to getting to know you and I hope you will come by for a read when you have some time! Kindest regards to you!

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Thank you for complimenting my name, that's really sweet of you. I haven't read the Witching Hour but since you speak so highly of it I will be sure to check it out and read it hopefully. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis Deborah, I really wish you all the best! I will check out your posts. 💕

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Richa's avatar

I loved this post!✨

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed it Richa, thank you for reading! 💕

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Shayma Owaise Saadat's avatar

I’m so glad I found you 😊🤍

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Me too Shayma. It’s so good to see a familiar face around here! 💕

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Car_var's avatar

Love this ❤️

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post!

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Carine Helen Redpath's avatar

Beautiful! Totally agree. My favourite authors are John Grisham, Mark Edwards and Nicholas Sparks. They always inspire me!

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Great authors. Books are a gift in this world, I truly believe that.

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Jonathan Matei's avatar

Your writing is so vivid—it makes me feel like I'm right there in the moment. I love how you capture the magic of simple things like books and storms. Do you have a book that always feels like the perfect read on a rainy day?

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Hi Jonathan, glad you enjoyed reading this post. I think it would be the Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. It won a Newbery Medal actually. It's a middle grade book which I initially downloaded for my daughter, but I ended up reading it first. It's a brilliantly written book.

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Natalie Anne's avatar

Love this post so much!!! That’s so true!! Most people say book makes you think. The truth is, books make you think and feel. Absolutely agree to every single point of it. Happy reading📖💕

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I’m really glad you enjoyed the post Natalie. I do think books are really special. They make you think, feel, expand your imagination! I wish everyone would understand the beauty of books like we do!

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Natalie Anne's avatar

Absolutely! This post completely explains why I love books so much! I don’t think I can master this as much you do! You basically write exactly what I feel about books📖💕

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Oh gosh. That’s honestly such a sweet compliment. A little backstory of how I wrote this post:

This was actually the first post I wrote for my newsletter (way back in November when I was getting all my posts ready).

I was writing creatively after years (I actually did write quite regularly for my food blog) but this was different.

It was a little difficult at first because I knew how I felt about books. But I didn’t want to just write some vague piece about why I loved books. I really had to spend time trying to figure out what I was trying to say. It took me a couple of weeks or so to really pinpoint what I wanted to say.

And I was super nervous publishing this post because I wasn’t sure how many people would be able to relate to my passion about books. But so many people have.

There’s no greater validation for a writer than this. I really appreciate you taking the time to first read my post and then leave such kind comments! 💕

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Natalie Anne's avatar

Yes!! I love every single bit of this post💗

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

That makes me so happy! Everytime someone takes the time to read my words sends me to the moon and back!

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Priscila Menezes's avatar

This post was fantastic! We may stumble upon many good books, but that book, the one to speak to your soul, it's an experience to cherish, and to hold forever in our heart.

I've always loved books. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to read after becoming a mom. What has been a life savior is my e-reader. I read everywhere, at any time (even when the lights are all out). But I must confess I'm still addicted to the smell of books (experience you can't have with an e-reader).

Thanks for the post, good books have to be celebrated!

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Thank you Priscila. I'm really glad you enjoyed this post. I can understand not having time to read when you have kids. I stopped reading for awhile to when my kids were younger, but as they grow older you'll have more time. I absolutely love my kindle by the way! It's so easy to read anytime now.

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Shaz_wd's avatar

Even though its been long I have read physical books, but going through your lines, hailing -the book, my mind flipped through all my childhood favourites in a jiffy! And it felt like a nice hug from someone I was longing for. Or as you put it - Syzygy 😉

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Thank you Shazmeera. I'm really glad you enjoyed this post. Finding a good book is a really joyful feeling. I think a lot of our reading has been replaced by social media, and while that's great for the short bursts of dopamine, reading really gives you a meaningful experience. It took me a long time to get back into the groove, but in recent times I've read some really good books!

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Leena S.'s avatar

I love this reflection!! I totally agree, the books I loved the most I loved them with my whole soul because they made me feel seen and heard. I related to character and her experience so hard and rode every emotion with her. I miss the days when I would get so immersed in a book I couldn't put it down till my eyes closed.

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed reading this post Leena. Some books are just so special, they stay with you forever. And my favorite part is starting a book and just knowing in my heart that it's going to be a good one. I fell out of reading when my kids were little, but I picked it up awhile ago and just love it. It gives me peace, and helps me sleep better too. As opposed to watching reels before going to sleep. 😅

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Leena S.'s avatar

Hahahah absolutely, anything is better than reels 😪

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I agree 😅

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Lakeyia's avatar

I loved this post, I am always reading books and I take away a lot of information from each one. Reading helps me write my horror/true crime stories too. Books are indeed our friends and I love them, especially the ones that I can't put down.

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I’m really glad you enjoyed this post! I know so much of social media has replaced reading but I just love reading so much.

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Lakeyia's avatar

I have a whole Kindle that I bought, and sometimes I get books because I still love having physical books.

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Yup that’s me. I’ve got tons of books on my kindle and then I buy physical books too 😅

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Asma Nadeem's avatar

I have always thought that books teach us different things at different stages of our lifes. I have reread my favourite book through all the different challenges in my life and every single time I felt like I was with my best friend and it provided the much needed comfort and strength I needed in that era of my life!

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

Thank you Asma, books indeed are our friends in time of need. I too reread my favorite books all the time, and every time I take something new from each book I read.

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Simi Sidhu Writes's avatar

I totally agree with your thoughts about books. Good books have definitely been friends to me - and there are stories that have lived rent free in my mind for years and still pop into my thoughts. They’ve not just moved me, they’ve changed me. I shared some of these books over on IG recently and so many other people felt the same way as me. It reminded me that books show us our common humanity and bring us together.

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Wajeeha Nadeem's avatar

I agree Simi. Good books hold a certain kind of magic that can change your life. I genuinely believe that books have been one of the best creations by mankind.

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