From Fiction to Classics: outgrowing books

I recently went back to a book that used to be my favourite, but this time, something felt different. There was a time when I read fiction mainly for escape. I was drawn to stories that pulled me in quickly, where emotions were clear and everything felt a little more intense and certain than real life. Those books gave me comfort. They simplified things. But now, I find myself looking for something else in what I read.

I don’t just want to feel a story, I want to understand it. I’ve become more interested in ideas, in the way people think, and in the deeper meaning behind what I’m reading. Because of that, I’ve gradually found myself moving toward classics.

Classics are different. They’re not always easy to read, and they don’t always offer an immediate connection. They make me think more, question more, and see things from different perspectives. 

I think that’s why my favourite book doesn’t affect me the same way anymore. It belonged to a time when I needed simple, emotionally direct stories. Now, I’m more drawn to books that are complex and a little more demanding. Outgrowing a book feels strange but it also reflects growth.  

Readers do not merely collect books, they evolve through them. Some remain significant, while others gradually lose their relevance. Maybe that’s how reading works.

-Sneha