In celebration of Reading Month, we sat down with Senali Senanayake, a passionate book lover who shares her world of books with a growing Instagram audience. She gave us an insightful peek into her journey as a reader, and the books that have truly made a spark in her life.

Q: Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us how you first got interested in reading?

A: I’m Senali, a third-year economics undergraduate at University of Colombo. My love for reading started as early as I can remember because I was fascinated by the beautiful picture books my older siblings had. This early curiosity was really nurtured by my family. Especially, my maternal aunt, who is an avid reader, used to buy me books, and my mom often used them as a reward for my academic achievements. The big step was when my grandpa would take me to the public library every Tuesday, where I’d borrow two books to finish by the next week.

Q: What was the first book or author that made you fall in love with reading?

A: I’ve read many books since I was a kid, but two key authors truly solidified my love for reading. The first is the Sri Lankan author Janaki Sooriyarachchi, who has written amazing colorful books for children. The second is the iconic Enid Blyton. I was about eight when my aunt gifted me a Secret Seven book, and that single gift led me to read most of her wonderful series, including Famous Five and Mallory Towers.

Q: How often do you usually read, and do you follow a specific reading routine?

A: I’m what you call a mood reader, so I read whenever I feel like reading. Sometimes, because of my academic work, I can unfortunately go weeks without reading at all. But when I really get into a book, I won’t put it down until I’m finished. Mostly, I find time to read at night or during the weekend, but I definitely don’t follow a specific routine.

Q: Which genres do you enjoy the most, and what attracts you to them?

A: I mostly read classics, contemporary fiction, rom-com, and fantasy. Since I study social sciences, I’m very curious about human behavior, and those genres always help me literally step into other people’s shoes to understand them better. I think these genres also stimulate my creativity because I build up the entire story as a movie in my mind. That personal, imaginative experience is why I usually pick these kinds of books over non-fiction.

Q: What is the best book you’ve read recently, and what made it special for you?

A: That’s a tough question! Last month, I read Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. The book follows the story of three sisters who are all grieving their dead fourth sister in very different ways. What made it so memorable was the incredibly realistic portrayal of sisterhood and how the author handled grief. It was an amazing job showing three different people from the same family tackling loss and how their personalities change over time.

Q: Is there a book that completely changed your perspective or taught you something valuable?

A: Yes, absolutely. The first book that comes to mind is All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It’s a very realistic portrayal of mental health issues and the struggles people silently go through every day. The book really stayed with me for a long time and I still can’t bring myself to reread it. It truly changed the way I look at the actions of people around me and made me realize how many people are struggling with mental health issues, sometimes without even knowing what’s wrong. I think it’s a book everyone should read.

Q: Do you prefer physical books, e-books, or audiobooks?

A: I am, without a doubt, a physical book girl. Nothing beats the comforting weight of a real book in your hand and the wonderful smell of its pages! But I do read e-books from time to time, especially when I’m traveling or if a physical copy is hard to find.

Q: How do you usually decide which book to read next?

A: Since I’m a mood reader, it primarily depends on my current mood and the books I already have sitting on my shelf. For example, if I finish a really heavy book that was emotionally draining, I will purposely pick up a lighthearted rom-com next to balance things out. Other than that, I just go with the flow, but I always keep a small list on my notepad or check my Goodreads list for ideas.

Q: Do you reread books? If so, what’s a book you’ve reread and why?

A: The book I’ve reread the most is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It has this magical ability to instantly take you to a very comfortable, whimsical place where everything feels right. When things get tough, stressful, or when I have academic stress, I usually pick up the book, reread some of my favorite chapters, and feel instantly calmer and okay.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors, both local and international?

A: I have quite a few! For local authors, I love Shehan Karunathilaka, who wrote The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, and Manjula Senarathne, who writes mystery books in Sinhala. Internationally, I admire Marcus Zusak, who wrote The Book Thief and Taylor Jenkins Reid, who writes wonderful character-driven stories like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I also really enjoy the works of Coco Mellors, Jennifer Niven, and Stephanie Garber.

Q: What book would you recommend to someone who wants to start reading regularly?

A: It really depends on the person’s existing taste, but I would recommend starting with a small, beautiful, and simple book that isn’t too intimidating. Something like The Little Prince or The First Person You Meet in Heaven is a perfect start. Once you get started with an easy read and feel comfortable, you can explore your tastes, check out Goodreads, and find the genres you truly love.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with readers during this Reading Month?

A: I would like to say, never underestimate the power of reading. It’s pure magic! It has an incredible ability to nurture your mind and truly change the way you perceive the world, life, and society around you. This Reading Month, please give yourself permission to read whatever book you truly like or love. Don’t be afraid to put down a book that is not for you because the goal is to have some fun, learn something, and live through reading. Let your imagination do the rest. Pick up a book and read!