The Joy of Reading

By Kathy Young Deegan

"Wherever I am, if I've got a book with me, I have a place I can go and be happy." 

— J.K. Rowling

I watched each one of our three children pick up these books and not put them down. They read them in the car, in bed, and even in the bathroom, sneaking in chapters late at night. What was it about these books that had them so captivated? They had all grown up loving to read, but I had never seen anything like this. One by one, they devoured the entire Harry Potter series from cover to cover.

This was the power of J.K. Rowling's storytelling.

Four years ago, our second child challenged me to read the series myself. Later, our youngest renewed that challenge, cheering me on through all seven books and rewarding me along the way with Harry Potter movie nights. What began as a reading goal became a family journey.

I'm excited to say I finally crossed the finish line! I completed all seven books—more than 4,100 pages, or roughly 1.08 million words. As a lifelong reader, it felt especially meaningful to finish a series that had captured the imagination of each of our children.

Reading has always been one of life's greatest gifts. Every year, I intentionally choose books from a variety of genres—memoirs, biographies, self-help, leadership, spiritual formation, fiction, and books that challenge me to see the world through a different lens. I typically read around fifteen books a year. Since the beginning of 2024, I've completed 46 books. Each one has left behind a lesson, a question, or a fresh perspective. While I don't remember every detail, I know each book has shaped me in ways both obvious and subtle.

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Albus Dumbledore offers a piece of wisdom when we says, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

As I reflected on those words, I realized they capture one of the greatest gifts of reading. The best stories don't encourage us to escape our lives; they invite us to return to them with greater courage, compassion, and joy.

Stories remind us to live fully and joyfully.

Whether we are following Harry, Hermione, and Ron through Hogwarts or walking alongside an author in a deeply personal memoir, we are reminded what it means to love, persevere, grieve, forgive, and hope. Great stories awaken something within us. They help us recognize our shared humanity and remind us that every life—including our own—is a story still being written.

Research consistently shows that reading reduces stress, strengthens memory, builds empathy, and keeps our minds engaged. But beyond those benefits, reading also nourishes our hearts and expands our imagination.

The older I get, the more I realize that reading isn't simply a hobby—it is an invitation to keep growing. Every page calls us to become a little more curious, a little more compassionate, and a little more attentive to the beauty and joy around us.

So whether your next book is a classic novel, a memoir,  poetry, or even a fantasy series your children have been urging you to read, pick it up.

You never know what story might shape the way you live your own.

How has a book changed the way you see the world—or yourself?

What book have you been meaning to read that might invite you to live more fully and joyfully?

Additional Resource:

🎙️ Listen to our podcast, Mary's Inspiring Story of Reading 1,000 Books!
https://www.bewellresourcesla.com/podcasts/coping-2/episodes/2147856257