Saved from a life of mediocrity, of submission to the status quo, of subscribing to what my parents knew and society around me expected of me.
Escaping into books from the age of 6, they became my friend, ally, weapon, mentor and the source of great adventures, whispering always 'no, dont believe them. There is more to life than this'. They made me want much more than the provincial life I was born into. They taught me to think beyond what my culture, religion, country and society told me to think.
It made me long to be larger than life. To live. To taste. To desire. To want. To free my mind and dive into the great infinity of possibilities and beyond.
Books made me Legion. I lived many lifes through many centuries and looked at life from many eyes and felt from many hearts. I learnt to love, laugh, feel, cry and sigh far far away from the maddening ordinariness of my simple life.
I became extraordinary. I gleaned wisdom from the greatest minds, i fell in love with the most romantic souls, I died a thousand deaths and soared on a thousand triumphs. I lived beyond me.
And I walked into rooms of mere mortals like a strident princess. Waiting out the mundane of the day - for life began when I would go home and be transported into the cosmos again and be part of the universe.
Books were my magic wand. My superhero power. My crutch. My connection to the world.
They were and always will be the great empowerer and enabler.
