Edited by: Anika Kulshreshtha
With a sigh, I heeded to my mom’s call to clean up my bookshelves. As I dusted, my eyes landed on a dusty copy of my first book. Suddenly, I was transported back to sixth grade, to the excitement of my very first book fair. I was wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement when I stepped into my school’s book fair and my first encounter was nothing short of magical. Rows upon rows of books fascinated me. Among the stacks of novels and myriad of titles, “The Fault in Our Stars,” with its blue cover adorned with stars called my name. It was the perfect blend of heartbreak and humour.
From the moment I turned open the pages of “The Fault in Our Stars,” I was transported into a world where love, loss, and the complexities of life collided and I was hooked. Hazel Grace Lancaster’s wit, Augustus Waters’ charm—I felt like I was right there with them. Sure, it was a bit corny, but as a pre-teen, I saw bits of myself in their journey. Like them, I was navigating the maze of growing up, grappling with new emotions and the quest to find where I fit in the world. The book resonated with me in a way that I no longer felt alone and excluded. I felt seen and heard. it became more than just a story. I laughed, cried and felt the weight of their emotions as if they were my own. John Green’s storytelling not only entertained me but also provided solace. It taught me to embrace the fragility of life, and to find beauty in the most unexpected places. Years have passed since I first discovered “The Fault in Our Stars,” yet its impact on me remains profound.
But it wasn’t just “The Fault in Our Stars” that captured my heart; it was the entire world of literature that opened up before me. Little did I know, that moment would spark a love affair with literature. From the classics to contemporary bestsellers, each book became a portal to a new world—a world where anything was possible, and adventure awaited around every corner. Through the pages of a book, I traveled to distant galaxies, explored enchanted forests, danced under starlit skies, and experienced the full spectrum of human emotion. And in those moments, I felt truly alive, as if the boundaries of reality had melted away and anything was possible. With each story, I fell more deeply in love with the magic of reading, and the boundless possibilities it offered. 
And oh, the characters! from morally gray villains to witty bestfriends, each one felt like a friend I’d known my whole life. I laughed with them, cried with them, In their stories, I found courage, and a sense of belonging that I’d never felt before. Let’s not forget about book boyfriends! Whether it’s the brooding bad boy with a heart of gold or the charming prince who sweeps you off your feet. There’s something about their charm and complexity that makes them irresistible, oh how I have been falling for characters who feel more real to me than anyone I know in the real world. It’s funny how these imaginary relationships can feel so meaningful, but isn’t that the magic of books? They make me feel understood, accepted, and loved, even when the people around me fall short. From Hogwarts to Narnia and from the bustling streets of New York City to the rugged landscapes of Middle-earth. I dreamed to live among the fictional characters, to share in their adventures and forge my own epic tales.
Books became more than just stories—they became my calm in the chaos of the real world and a safe space where I could lose myself in the infinite expanse of my imagination. But perhaps the greatest gift that reading has given me is empathy. Through the eyes of characters from all walks of life, I learned to see the world from perspectives other than the narrow aperture of my existence. I walked in the shoes of protagonists and antagonists alike, understanding their motivations, their fears, and their hopes for the future and in some way mine own with them.
As the years passed, my love for reading only deepened. Books are a source of comfort on dark days and ray of hope in times of uncertainty, like a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly night. Reading isn’t just a hobby anymore—it’s a way of life. It’s a reminder that no matter where life may take me, there will always be a book waiting to welcome me home.
In a way, I am forever indebted to John Green for creating characters who felt so real, so relatable, that they became a part of me. “The Fault in Our Stars” will always hold a special place in my heart, not just as a book, but as a journey—a journey that transformed me in ways I never could have imagined. As I look back on that fateful day at the book fair, I realize that I didn’t just buy a book—I found a piece of myself between the pages. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Now, as I look back on my journey from that first book fair to the countless volumes that line my shelves, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the authors who poured their hearts and souls into their stories and breathed life into their characters. Gratitude for everyone who encouraged my love of reading. And most of all, gratitude for the power of literature to transform lives and touch hearts.
For as long as there are books to be read and characters to be loved, I’ll be living a thousand lives between the pages. So here’s to the characters who feel like friends and the stories that stay with us long after the final page is turned. Here’s to the young girl who dared to dream of a world beyond her own, and never looked back and yes, here’s to my dear lovers of literature. I hope that every child someday finds something so magical that stays with them forever as I did.
Source of all pictures: Pinterest