Polina Pompliano

In this nostalgic reflection, the author weaves a tapestry of literary love, beginning with their great-grandmother's spine-chilling bedtime stories. These tales, reminiscent of Stephen King's captivating horror, ignited a lifelong passion for storytelling. The essay explores the multifaceted impact of books, from King's view of books as thought-provokers to Dolly Parton's perception of them as escape routes from poverty. The author delves into personal experiences with memoirs, highlighting how books serve as portals to diverse lives and perspectives. From Anthony Ray Hinton's imaginative escapes on death row to Edith Eva Eger's resilience in Auschwitz, the essay underscores books as powerful tools of empathy, enabling readers to live countless lives and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience.