Chapter One: Our Reading Wall begins with a simple but powerful question: what was the first book you fell in love with?

For many people, the answer came with a vivid memory, a particular place, a movement in childhood, or the feeling of discovering that books could open up whole new worlds. The responses we received this month have reminded us that a first beloved book is rarely just about the story itself. It’s often about where we were when we read it, who shared it with us, or how it made us feel at the time.

Some contributors remembered reading late into the night because they simply couldn’t put the book down. Others spoke about books that were read aloud by parents or grandparents, or borrowed again and again from the library. There were stories about school books that unexpectedly captured someone’s imagination, as well as childhood favourites that sparked hobbies, creativity, and a lifelong habit of reading.

The titles people shared range from classic children’s stories to modern favourites, but what they all have in common is that moment of connection, the point when reading becomes something more than just words on a page.

These memories form the first chapter of our Reading Wall. Together they show how a single book can shape a reader’s life, sometimes in ways that contribute for decades.

As the project continues, each new theme will add another layer to this growing collection of stories. For now, we invite you to explore the submissions below and rediscover the books that first made reading feel magical.