Transformation Through Reading & Reflection
Have you ever picked up a book at just the right moment—one that seemed to know exactly what you needed to hear?
Maybe you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or craving something more, even if you’re not sure what that “more” is. I’ve been there too. Books have always been my quiet companions, offering me lessons, comfort, and sometimes a spark of magic when I needed it most.
What I didn’t realize at first was how powerful it could be to reflect on what I read, to thank each book from my heart, and to notice how each story left its mark on me. That’s how The Midnight Book Club by Amanda James sparked my journaling journey. Now, every book feels like a conversation with my own soul.
How My Book Journaling Journey Began
When I started journaling about books, it was simply to say “thank you” to each story. I wanted to honor how it influenced me, even in the smallest way. Over time, I noticed something amazing—these reflections became a bridge between my past and my future.
Each story gave me a chance to revisit old parts of myself while still moving forward.
One quote from The Midnight Bookshop deeply shifted my perspective:
“Trees are the life blood of our planet and together with the words penned upon them the echo of old forests new worlds are created. These worlds are only briefly inhabited by the reader yet sometimes the story can remain part of them forever.”
When I wrote about this in my journal, I thanked the book for sparking something new in me.
“We attract the books in our lives not only to escape into our imaginations, but to discover a part of ourselves that longs for change. For me, the change is to reflect on each book and express my reflections into my life. To slow down, savor each page, and not rush to the end.”
Quotes That Changed Me
Another book that stayed with me recently is Every Precious & Fragile Thing by Barbara Davis. Two quotes continue to echo in my mind:
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“We map it all out and then burrow in, telling ourselves this is the best way to stay safe. But sometimes life has something else planned, something better.”
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“Stay open & it’ll find you.”
These words reminded me that when we surrender to life, we open to our own magic. We release what makes life complicated and trust that something better is unfolding, even if we can’t see it yet.
Sometimes transformation is simply allowing the old to die so the new can be born.
A Peek Into My Journaling Process
I keep my process simple: I highlight meaningful thoughts while reading, letting them sink in, and then I sit with my journal at the end of the book.
I ask myself:
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What changed in me because of this story?
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What part of me felt seen in these pages?
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What does this reflection invite me to do differently in my own life?
Sometimes the answers surprise me.
When Books Stir Up What Needs Healing
This past month, the books I’ve been reading have carried a grief theme—and they’ve stirred something deep in me. Through journaling, I’ve allowed myself to name and feel grief I didn’t even realize was still within me:
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Grief for the childhood I wished I had
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Grief for disconnecting completely from my mother
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Grief that no matter how much I learn about healing, I can’t bring her on this journey with me
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Grief for lost youth and innocence
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Even grief around the weight I’ve carried physically and emotionally
I’ve been doing several practices to move through this—daily InnerSpeak sessions on my weight, wrapping myself in a pink blanket as if hugging every version of me from gestation to now.
Each day, I move forward and sometimes backward in time, healing the parts of me that are still yearning for love and understanding. Books have been companions on this journey, holding up a mirror to parts of me I’ve kept tucked away.
What About You?
I believe we attract the books we need—not just to escape, but to discover the parts of ourselves that are ready for change.
So, I have to ask:
What book has transformed you, even in the smallest way?
I’d love to hear your reflections. Message me, or simply journal about it yourself and see what unfolds.
And… would you be interested in a space where we can share our book reflections together? I’ve been dreaming about creating a book club where we explore not just the stories, but how they change us. Would that inspire you? Message me if it does.