When the world feels chaotic and confusing, we turn to books to remind us that we are not alone.
We live in a world where we can connect with almost anyone, anywhere, at almost any time.
We can text.
We can video chat.
We can comment.
We can follow people we’ve never met.
And yet, sometimes what we’re really looking for is something deeper:
Connection.
A feeling that someone understands.
A feeling that our experiences matter.
A feeling that somewhere, somehow, we belong.
That’s one of the beautiful things about books.
Books create community across time and distance.
You can read a book written by someone you’ve never met, perhaps someone who lived in another country—or another century—and feel like they understand something about you.
You can discover that someone else has asked the same questions.
Felt the same fear.
Experienced the same joy.
Made the same mistake.
Loved the same way.
Or simply wondered about the same things.
And suddenly, you’re not alone with those thoughts anymore.
Sometimes a book gives us that feeling through a story.
Sometimes it’s a memoir that makes us think, “Me, too.”
Sometimes it’s a business book that reminds us that other people have struggled with the very same challenges we’re facing.
Sometimes it’s a personal-growth book that puts words to something we’ve been feeling but couldn’t quite explain.
And sometimes, we don’t even buy the book for ourselves.
We give it to someone.
Because giving a book can be its own kind of conversation.
When you hand someone a book, you might really be saying:
I thought of you.
I think this might help.
I think you’ll understand this.
I want you to read this because I want to share this experience with you.
A book can say things we sometimes have trouble saying ourselves.
“This made me think of you.”
“I think you’ll like this.”
“I think you need to hear this.”
“I want to share this part of the world with you.”
And perhaps that’s why books continue to be passed from one person to another—from parent to child, friend to friend, teacher to student, mentor to mentee.
They become part of our stories.
And sometimes, a book creates an even bigger community.
That’s what I love about anthologies.
An anthology brings multiple voices together in one place.
People who may have started as strangers contribute their individual experiences, wisdom, stories, and perspectives to create something none of them could have created alone.
One voice becomes many.
And many voices become a community.
I’ve watched that happen again and again with the authors we’ve brought together in our anthologies.
They may enter as individual authors, each focused on their own chapter and their own story.
But somewhere along the way, something changes.
They begin cheering for one another.
Sharing one another’s posts.
Celebrating one another’s accomplishments.
Showing up for one another.
The book becomes more than a collection of chapters.
It becomes a shared experience.
That’s community.
And that’s also why writing a book can be a brave thing to do.
When you put your story, your knowledge, your experience, or your ideas into the world, you are opening the door for someone else to find you.
You may never know who needed your words.
You may never meet the person who reads your book.
But somewhere, someone may turn a page and think:
“Finally. Someone understands.”
Maybe that’s another reason we still LOVE books.
Sometimes we’re looking for hope.
Sometimes we’re looking for solutions.
And sometimes, we’re looking for a reminder that we are not alone.
Sometimes, we’re simply looking for community.
