Bookworm is not just reading

For many people, reading is sometimes just a hobby or habit after tiring working hours. But for Ms. Tran Ngoc Dan Thuy (41 years old, Thanh Cong ward, Buon Ma Thuot city), it is a journey to find herself. Each page of the book not only opens up knowledge but also helps her gradually overcome the ups and downs in life, find peace and direction in the midst of uncertain days.

“I have been exposed to many genres of books and have had a strong love for books since I was young. The first time I realized that books helped me overcome difficulties was when I was 22 years old, when life was full of pressure from emotional cracks in my student life, the shock of my first career to the vague crisis of adulthood, it was the book “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” by author Dale Carnegie that could quietly save my soul. I read it and realized that any sadness will pass, the important thing is to learn how to choose joy, no matter how small. That was the motivation for me to let go of negative thoughts and continue moving forward,” Thuy confided. For her, loving books is not just immersing herself in words but letting books live in her mind and actions.

Reading books helps Ms. Tran Ngoc Dan Thuy (Thanh Cong ward, Buon Ma Thuot city) open up positive perspectives and change her life.

Since then, books such as “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie or “When All Support is Lost” by Marci Shimoff and Carol Kline… have come to her as companions, gentle but profound. They have opened up a new horizon, helping her gain more experience, knowledge and the will to start a business. In 2024, she boldly established Wedoo Happy Women Joint Stock Company, which not only organizes soft skills courses but is also a community of women building a happy life together. Habits such as slow living, positive thinking, building a disciplined life, communication skills… have been created by her and her lecturers and colleagues as a “spiritual therapy”, helping women touch peace in their daily lives.

To spread the love of books, she arranged many bookshelves at her family's small vegetarian restaurant. Customers come to the restaurant to read books and leave old books, making this place a meeting place for hearts that love knowledge.

Without the need for large lecture halls or modern libraries, reading culture is still spreading strongly from quiet but persistent actions in the community.

For example, the Love Connection Club (Buon Ma Thuot City) has many activities to spread the reading culture, connect the community, support dreams and contribute to nurturing a better society. Ms. Le Nhu Huyen Tram, Head of the Love Connection Club, shared: “The purpose of the Club's activities is to help people in difficult circumstances in the province, especially children. Not stopping at giving necessities and cash, I always believe that knowledge is the key to help children change their future and reading is the closest way to access that treasure. Therefore, I have worked with the Club members to carry out many meaningful programs to spread the reading culture”.

Since the beginning of 2020, the Club has promoted the movement of donating many types of books, especially textbooks for students in remote areas. Responding to the movement, many students, teachers, people... across the country have supported thousands of books. After being classified, the books are sent to community libraries, remote schools, children's playgrounds... Recently, the Club has launched the "Reading Warrior" activity with the aim of inspiring love for books, training thinking, communication and presentation skills through recording reading diaries, sharing feelings and practicing daily reading habits through videos .

The book collection campaign of the Love Connection Club attracted a large number of union members and young people to participate.

Ms. Pham Thi Mai Huong (26 years old), a member of the club, confided: “When I was young, I lived in a remote commune where books were almost a luxury. When I grew up, I was lucky to have the opportunity to access knowledge. Since then, I have always hoped that children like me would have the opportunity to read books more easily. Joining the club has helped me do that. When I see the eager eyes of the children when touching the page, I know that even though it is just a small book, it can open up a whole world in their minds.”

Or like photographer Helena Van, author of the photo book "Traditional Craft Villages of Vietnam", with the passion to preserve reading culture through photography, each photo book released to readers will have a portion of the budget allocated to support clubs and units to build free bookcases. In Dak Lak , she has accompanied Dan Cong Anh Company Limited to support the budget to build bookcases for children in remote areas, ethnic minority areas; build rainbow playgrounds... with the desire to bring knowledge to children.

In addition, Ms. Van also organizes interactive reading sessions where children can listen to stories and share their dreams, creating a joyful and friendly space, inspiring a love of reading. The project has profound meaning, helping children in disadvantaged areas broaden their horizons, nurture their love for books and preserve cultural values ​​through the pages of books. “Each book given away is a seed of knowledge. We may not see the results immediately, but surely somewhere, a child is growing up with the belief that knowledge can change their lives,” Ms. Van shared.

From small actions, the reading culture gradually spreads. Without the need for loud slogans, each book that reaches the hands of those in need is a testament to the strength of the community and the spirit of sharing knowledge. Therefore, reading is not only an individual action but also a movement, a humane flow that is spreading and growing every day.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202505/me-sach-khong-chi-la-doc-a8d1160/