So here's something I've been thinking about lately: Do we read novels to escape reality… or to actually understand it better?

I used to think fiction was just a cozy hiding spot. A comfy place to disappear into when life felt too loud or too messy. But after years of reading (and writing!) stories, I've started seeing it differently. Let me explain—and I'd love to hear your take too! 💬👇

Escaping doesn't mean avoiding 💭

Yes, curling up with a book can totally feel like hitting pause on real life. You're not in your room anymore—you're in a castle, a spaceship, or a quiet little town that smells like cinnamon bread. It's magical. ✨

But here's the twist: even when we escape into fiction, we're still processing reality. The best novels don't ignore real feelings—they explore them in a new, safer way.

Fiction helps us feel things 🧠💔

Ever cried over a character like they were your real friend? 🙋‍♀️ Same here. I've felt grief, fear, hope, and healing through stories that had nothing to do with my life… and yet they totally hit home.

That's because fiction makes big, complicated feelings easier to hold. It gives us characters to care about and stories that remind us we're not alone.

It shows us new perspectives 👀

Reading novels has helped me step into other people's shoes in a way that nothing else can. I've learned empathy from quiet characters, courage from flawed heroes, and truth from villains who were a little too real.

It's wild how a made-up world can help us understand the real one so much better.

We face real stuff... in disguise 🎭

Here's a secret about fiction: it's all real, just dressed up. That fantasy about dragons? It's about power, fear, and growing up. That small-town drama? It's about forgiveness, change, and learning who you are.

The good stories always carry a mirror, even when they sparkle like a dream.

So, escape—or connect? 🧳❤️

Honestly, I think it's both. We pick up a book to take a break, but we end up finding pieces of ourselves on the pages. And sometimes, stories help us understand things we couldn't face head-on.

Let's chat! 💬

What do you think—are novels your way to escape, or your way to feel more connected to real life? Drop your thoughts below 👇 I'd love to hear what stories have meant to you.

Whether we're reading to run away or to look closer, one thing's for sure—fiction makes us feel, and that's pretty powerful. 🖤📚