Between the Lines: The healing power of reading

Long before I became a writer, I was a reader. These are the truths about reading I have experienced.

In a world of constant bombardment that rarely slows down, reading offers something radical — stillness. By picking up a book, you immerse yourself in a different world filled with characters outlined by the author but brought to life by your imagination. You embark on a solo journey, taken at your own pace, at a time and place of your choosing.

But reading is not just entertainment—it’s emotional nourishment. As someone who writes stories steeped in trauma, survival, and psychological complexity, I understand how therapeutic the act of reading can be. Reading a good book not only offers an escape from reality — it provides us with a safe place to process some of the harsh reality around us.

Reading as Emotional Resonance

Books allow us to sit with emotions we might otherwise avoid. Grief, fear, longing, rage, love, joy, happiness and much more is on the page, in black and white, waiting for you. Fiction gives us permission to feel deeply without judgment, without exposing our vulnerabilities. A good story reflects our inner world while guiding us through the emotions it provokes.

Reading as a Meaningful Journey

Mental health isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about making sense of things. Stories help us do that. They offer frameworks for understanding interpersonal drama, trauma, resilience, and human behavior. They show us that healing is nonlinear, that life is messy, and that courage often looks like vulnerability.

Reading as Connection

When we read, we connect—with characters, with authors, with other readers. That sense of belonging can be profoundly healing. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles. Marked passages speak of the moments that reached out and touched us — proof that stories don’t just pass through us; they stay with us.

Reading as Regulation

The benefits of reading are also physical. There’s a rhythm to reading that calms the nervous system. The steady pace of words, the immersive focus, the quiet engagement—lead to mindfulness. Studies show that reading can lower heart rate, reduce stress, and even improve sleep. It’s a calm antidote to the chaos of modern life.

Why I Write

As an author, I write to explore the emotional terrain that often goes unexplored. I write for the women who have survived something unspeakable, for the child who senses danger and knows when something is wrong but can’t name it, for the reader who likes to untangle complex thoughts and emotions. I write because stories do heal.

Let’s Talk

Has a book ever helped you through a difficult time? I’d love to hear about it. Share your story in the comments or send me a personal message. Let’s celebrate the healing power of words—together.