30 People Use One Quote To Convince You To Read Their Favorite Books

We live in interesting times.

Attention spans are shrinking—Facebook’s research suggests it takes us just two seconds to decide whether something online is worth our attention—and we often joke that our world is already dystopian and bleak, yet reading, an intentional and immersive act, is very much in.

Of course, you could argue that books have always been in, but right now, corners of the internet, from TikTok to Instagram and Substack, are bursting with passionate readers. And honestly, isn’t that a beautiful thing to see?

One of those readers is Bookstagrammer Eden, who currently lives in Vancouver, Canada. Bored Panda reached out to her to learn more about her love for books and to get her best advice on how to read more.

“I’ve been an avid reader since I was eight but momentarily stopped due to school and other demands,” she told us. “But during 2020, when the world was going through COVID-19, I got back into reading, and like most people at the time, I picked up new hobbies (dalgona coffee)”—writer’s note: I felt that one in my soul—“that I very quickly dropped (lol) and revisited old ones that had been pushed aside by the busyness of life. In my case, it was reading.”

During quarantine, Eden re-read some of her favorite books, like the Percy Jackson series and Pride and Prejudice, and her love for reading was reignited. “All throughout quarantine and into 2021, I was a quiet reader and viewer of Bookstagram and BookTok. At the time, my only form of book documentation was a physical reading journal, which I loved, but it very quickly became a laborious thing and I couldn’t keep up with it anymore,” she said.

Then, in December 2021, the idea of starting her own Bookstagram to replace her reading journal took shape. “That idea fully became a tangible thing on January 1, 2022, making 01.04.2022 a very special set of numbers for me.”

Since then, her Bookstagram has evolved into a blog that still revolves around books and reading but now includes glimpses of her life, hobbies, and personal interests—making it even more special to her.

Eden’s passion for reading comes from her belief that we are all lifelong learners and students of life. “You can enrich and widen your perspective through traditional education, but so much of life’s lessons happen outside the classroom,” she explained. “This is where my love of literature and stories comes from.”

“There’s something so special about being able to read, explore, and learn from an author’s work, their lived experiences, imaginations, and creativity,” she continued. “So much of my worldview, my morals, ideas, and values have been shaped or influenced by literature. I believe this has helped me understand and create long-lasting connections with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life.”

“The act of reading, for me, is not only for entertainment but is also an opportunity to learn, explore, and love humanity.”

Despite how enriching and rewarding reading is, more than half of adults wish they had more time for it, according to a study commissioned by TUI Blue. In fact, out of 5,000 people surveyed, one in four admitted that the only time they open a book is on holiday.

So how do we break that spell and make time for books? Eden’s advice is simple: “Choose a book, any book, and take it slow!”

She suggests carving out dedicated reading time, whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour a day, or setting a goal like reading 50 or 100 pages at a time. “Whatever works for you, just make sure to stay consistent,” she encouraged. “Also, make it a goal to find a genre you truly enjoy. Once you do, your reading stamina will grow stronger.”

Before wrapping up our conversation, I had to ask Eden to share a favorite book quote to add to the list.

“I love this question because every time someone asks me for my favorite book or quote, I get all giddy and nervous about choosing only one!” she said excitedly. “But today, I’ll pick the first one that came to mind:

‘You’ll eventually meet the people who you’re meant to meet, no matter what happens.’ — Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn.”