I've always loved books. Growing up, I read everything I could get my hands on. But as I got older, I started to notice something odd: people didn't expect a guy like me to be into reading.
I'm a mechanic, and I work at a busy auto repair shop. It's a rough and tough environment, and the guys I work with are great, but they're not exactly the bookish type. Most of our conversations revolve around cars, sports, and the latest TV shows. Mentioning books didn't seem to fit into that mix.
One day, I brought a novel to work, thinking I'd get some reading done during my lunch break. I was in the middle of an exciting thriller and didn't want to put it down. When I pulled out my book in the break room, the guys gave me some funny looks. Dave, my coworker, laughed and said, "What's that? A romance novel?" I just shrugged and kept reading.
The teasing continued for a while. Every time I pulled out a book, someone had a comment. "Reading again, Professor?" or "You sure you don't want to join us at the bar instead?" It was all good-natured, but I could tell they didn't really get it. I didn't mind, though. Reading was my thing, and I wasn't about to give it up.
One day, during lunch, I was reading a particularly gripping part of a mystery novel when Dave asked, "What's so interesting about those books anyway?" I paused and thought about how to explain it. "It's like an escape," I said. "When I'm reading, I can be anywhere, doing anything. It's a break from reality."
Dave nodded but didn't say much. I could tell he still didn't quite understand, but that was okay. We all have our hobbies, and reading happened to be mine. The other guys stuck to their sports talk and car magazines, and I stuck to my books.
Despite the teasing, I kept bringing my books to work. They became a part of my routine, something that made the workday a little more enjoyable. Over time, the guys got used to it. The comments became less frequent, and eventually, they just accepted that reading was part of who I was.
It's funny how a simple hobby can seem so out of place in certain environments. But I've learned that being true to yourself is more important than fitting in. Reading is a big part of my life, and it doesn't make me any less of a man. If anything, it makes me more interesting, more knowledgeable, and more content.
So, if you're a guy who loves to read, don't be afraid to show it. You might not convert anyone else into a book lover, but that's not the point. The point is to enjoy what you love and be unapologetically yourself.
by EntertainmentFit4869