Do you remember the first time you read a novel? Not many people do. However, for some, the first step is taken hesitantly — and it changes the course of their lives forever.

Judging the Book by Its Cover. Yes, she admitted it. She judged. An odd title. An ancient-looking cover and fewer pages made it a perfect match for someone who had been forced to read.

However, Esha wondered who decided that people needed to read books anyway? Who sat down and thought, “Let’s make reading a fun hobby for children!” As if an individual could not watch movies or listen to podcasts. Yet somehow, reading was more fun. But how?

Books were troublesome — at least for Esha. The words appeared to be all over the pages. Even the thought of reading them gave her a headache. But she tried anyway. And surprisingly for her, reading transformed from a chore into a hobby. It was elevated to the level of a habit that she herself did not even realise she was avoiding. What was the secret to this? Mandatory misery.

“Esha! Did you read five pages of the book today?” her mother questioned.

Uhh… reading again! Her mother liked to continuously remind her to read at least two pages of any book that she liked. The problem was that she did not like any book. Her mother brought books written by Roald Dahl, J.K. Rowling, Charles Dickens and so many authors. However, Esha absolutely could not make sense of what her mother was trying to do. If mum liked reading so much, she should read herself. Why force a poor child?

Her mother knocked on the door again, reminding her. She agreed. Did she have any other choice? No, like many others.

Heading to the bookshelf her mother had built for her, she grabbed the first book.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.

Seriously? The name itself sounded so absurd. How could someone travel the entire world in just 80 days? Did they not have to tour the place, or did they just land in one country and then another? What was the point of travelling like this? But it had comparatively fewer pages. Wait… what?

“Let’s get done with the reading task,” she thought nonchalantly.

The urge to put the book down was overwhelming, but mum’s words rang in her ears, stopping her. If mum could take time to buy the books, the least she could do was listen to her.

She held the novel in her hands, quite unsure of what was waiting inside. It stared back at her like a riddle.

That afternoon, the world disappeared. Unwillingly, Esha opened page one, then turned to page two and onwards. It was surprisingly interesting. The clock kept running. She read and read, and two hours flew by just like that.

Her first book presented a quiet revolution — a new perspective, new friends and loads of creative imagination. Watching time unfold from another character’s perspective, knowing what was going on in their mind and understanding their thought process, was something entirely new for her.

“Oh no, look behind you!” she screamed at Jean Passepartout.

That day, she learnt that any individual is capable of feeling irritation if a character acts foolishly. Now that she was enjoying the book, reading had suddenly transformed into an enriching experience. She could not let go. She kept reading — slowly, page by page, word by word.

For hundreds of readers, their first novel is exactly like that, a silent turning point. The book itself is not magical, but something unexpected happens: you get pulled in. Sitting still, paying attention and caring about people who do not even exist becomes magic in itself.

Happy reading!

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 17th, 2026