About Me!
Welcome to my book blog! My name is Joann and I’m a simple college girl that loves to buy, collect, read, and write about books! I’ve recently just fallen in love with reading again, so come along with me as I delve back into this long-lost passion of mine! ♥
Why I Love Reading
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the magic of books. The smell of aged pages, the feel of a well-worn spine, and the power of words to transport me to far-off places have always held a special place in my heart. Reading is more than a hobby; it’s a lifelong love affair.
My Journey as a Reader
My journey began as a young girl; I would spend my days with my nose buried in a book and loved being apart of book-related clubs at school. I shared this love with the akin hobby of writing. I surrounded myself in the beautiful wonders of reading and writing. I loved everything from fantasy, to YA romance, and even horror.
After I entered high school and began being assigned required readings and writing assignments, my love for reading and writing stopped. I began to resent reading as I was instead filling my time reading books that I really didn’t enjoy.
I had recently gotten back into reading just within the last year and have loved every second of reigniting this long-gone passion. My taste in reading has definitely matured from YA fantasy and romance, as I now steer towards literary fiction. I specifically love Asian/Asian-American literary fiction and am excited to create a space that appreciates this art.
What to Expect From this Blog
Here on Book Balms, I’m on a mission to create a welcoming space for readers of all levels that appreciates the beauties of reading in a simple way. With the rise of online book communities, I’ve realized that a lot of online book “influencers” like to emphasize the maximalism of reading (such as creating YouTube videos like “Reading for 48 Hours Straight!” or “How to Read 10 Books in 1 Month!”).
While book maximalism isn’t necessarily bad, it can definitely be daunting to those that are searching for book content and thinking about picking up reading as a hobby. They may feel pressured to read a lot of books in a month even though that haven’t read in ages, and they may either a) feel burned out after doing so and never pick up a book again or b) feel discouraged after not reaching their goal and also never pick up a book again.
I’m committed to create a welcoming community that doesn’t stress the materialistic and “trendy” way of reading. On Book Balms, you can expect to find:
- Tips on how to start or get back into reading
- Thoughtful book reviews
- Book recommendations that may not typically be talked about within the online book community
- Opinion pieces on book discourse
- Personal insights, musings, and literary adventures
Overall, the main goal of Book Balms is to create an enriching place where we share our love of literature with no strings attached!
Share the Love
I believe that the joy of reading is magnified when it’s shared. So, I invite you to join me on this literary journey. Feel free to comment on my posts, share your own reading experiences, and suggest books you think everyone should explore. Together, we can celebrate the power of books and the profound impact they have on our lives.
Thank you for visiting Book Balms. I hope you find inspiration, entertainment, and a sense of belonging here. Let’s embark on this wonderful reading adventure together!
Happy reading and join the conversation!
Love, Joann
book balms! 