My word: Getting into the minds of men

There are two things I find very personal. Prayer and reading.

Prayer, of course, is personal because what you tell God should really not be anyone’s business.

But with reading, it all depends on a lot of things like what you’re reading, why you’re reading, where you’re reading…

Well, let me put it this way. I’ve been watching people posting what they’re reading on social media and thinking, “Why?”

Because to me, to declare what I’m reading to the public is to bare my soul.

If they know what I am reading, then they will know what I’ve been thinking. Really. 

But this is ironical in my case because I rarely choose my own books. I feel like they are chosen for me. I bump into them and miraculously, almost always, it’s exactly what I needed.

Now that might sound a little fairytale-ish but I have a theory about it – that everyone has a different interpretation for the books they read. Two people can read the same book and draw two very different lessons from them. You kinda do get exactly what you need.

So my fears that I may be baring my soul to the world might be ridiculous and valid at the same time. Because someone might think, “Why is she reading a book about the Korean war, is she planning to travel to Korea?”

When actually, my sister-in-law recommended the book to me and I am now devouring it like a forbidden bar of chocolate.

In a way, I get why baring your soul would make you feel vulnerable. You give someone the opportunity to fill in the blanks and make a conclusion... and there's a high chance you will not like the words they put before the full stop.

Christine Koech, Editor, Eve