The Book That Made Me Fall in Love with Reading

There are moments in life when you come across something—anything—that changes you. For me, it was a book. Not just any book, but P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.

And, friends, my life changed forever after I read that book. And by “changed,” I mean I became a weeping, sentimental mess who would walk around with a book in hand, making dramatic eye contact with anyone who dared to ask what I was reading. (You know the type, right?)

So, what’s the deal with P.S. I Love You? For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s about Holly, a young woman who loses her husband Gerry to a sudden illness. And, as though the universe wasn’t cruel enough, she finds that Gerry—bless his sweet, dead heart—had planned ahead. He left her a series of letters, each one signed with a "P.S. I love you," intended to help her grieve, heal, and eventually move on with her life.

Cue the waterfall of tears.

First, let me give you the emotional rundown: P.S. I Love You isn’t just a romance. It’s not a book about being swept away by grand gestures, or falling in love in some fairy-tale world. No, it’s a book about life. It’s about loss, grief, healing, and finding beauty in the mundane moments.

I started reading, and suddenly, it was like the book had me. The opening chapter was a punch to the gut (in the best way). I didn’t know how to handle my emotions. There I was, sitting on the couch in a completely unflattering position (legs sprawled like a human octopus), tears streaming down my face, all while I tried to convince myself that I was definitely not crying. “I’m fine,” I whispered to no one in particular, already planning an excuse in case someone walked in and witnessed my emotional meltdown.

But here’s the thing: P.S. I Love You made me realize something profound. A good book doesn’t just entertain you; it connects you to a deeper, more vulnerable part of yourself. The kind of part that wants to be loved, the kind that’s afraid of losing people, the kind that needs to laugh even when life feels a little bit too hard.

And yes, there were moments in this book when I was laughing out loud—like when Holly’s mom pretended she didn’t have a clue about Gerry’s letters, only for her to accidentally let slip a spoiler halfway through. And the best part? Holly’s friends, who were there for her, sometimes with humor and sometimes with tough love, but always with love. It made me want to shout, “I NEED FRIENDS LIKE THIS!” because let’s face it—sometimes, you just need someone who will show up with a bottle of wine and a terrible movie, even when you’re pretending to be fine.

But the real kicker was the letters. Gerry’s posthumous love letters were tender without being too cheesy. They were deeply personal and yet universally relatable. Each one made me reflect on my own life, my own relationships, and the subtle but essential ways we show love in our daily routines.

It would be an understatement to say that P.S. I Love You remains a favorite. Every time I think about it, I’m reminded of the time I sat with that book, trying to keep myself composed while simultaneously crying into a cup of tea. I loved it for the way it made me feel alive to all the emotions I thought I’d been suppressing. I loved it for the way it made me laugh, feel seen, and—most importantly—reminded me that books have the ability to transform us in ways we don’t expect.

But let’s be real here—books like P.S. I Love You don’t come around every day. So, if you haven’t yet read it, I humbly request that you do yourself a favor. Not because it’s a “classic,” but because it’s real. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even laugh while crying. And, more importantly, it will remind you why we should all hold on to the ones we love, both while they’re here and even after they’re gone.

And if you do end up sobbing uncontrollably in public, just know that you’re not alone. I'm right there with you. We can form a support group. We'll call it: “P.S. I Love You Anonymous.” Or, you know, we can just get more books to cry over. Either way, I'll be ready with tissues.