J.K. Rowling - If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for October 12th.Today is Harry Potter Book Day, a global celebration of J.K. Rowling's beloved wizarding world. Originally called Harry Potter Book Night and held in February, the event was rebranded and moved to October 12th to make it more inclusive for fans around the world who could celebrate at whatever time of day suits them best.What makes this day special is its recognition that great stories transcend their pages. The Harry Potter series has introduced generations of readers to the joy of getting lost in a book, staying up past bedtime to read just one more chapter, and experiencing the powerful emotions that only a truly immersive story can create.Today's quote comes from author J.K. Rowling herself, who said:"If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book."Rowling's simple observation contains a profound truth about reading and the power of stories. She understands that reading isn't a skill some people have and others don't – it's about finding that story that speaks to you, that pulls you in so completely you forget you're reading words on a page.Think about how many people discovered this truth through Harry Potter. Countless readers who thought they didn't enjoy books found themselves unable to put down the story of a young wizard discovering his place in a magical world. The series created millions of passionate readers who then went on to explore other books, other authors, other worlds.This is what great literature does – it doesn't just entertain us, it transforms us into readers, into people who understand that books can be doorways to experiences and emotions we might never encounter otherwise. Harry Potter Book Day celebrates not just one series, but the love of reading that series has inspired.Rowling's quote reminds us that if someone says they don't like reading, the solution isn't to give up on them – it's to help them find their Harry Potter, whatever that might be. Everyone has a story waiting to capture their imagination.I experienced this myself with my kids. I had already read and watched all the movies when I started reading the Harry Potter books with my son. He loved these books. He was already really into reading though. My daughters on the other hand didn't get into books in the same way. They were reading picture books and not really interested in reading actual novels at all. Until they started reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Then they were hooked and they've been avid readers ever since. Now my son and I are reading the Septimus Heap series -another wonderful wizard series by Angie Sage that's also excellent. Finding that next magical story has become its own adventure, and it all started because Harry Potter showed my kids what Rowling understood: they just needed to find the right book.So today, think about Rowling's wisdom and what Harry Potter Book Day celebrates. If you're already a reader, when was the last time you experienced that can't-put-it-down magic with a book? Maybe today's the day to start a new story.If you're not a reader, or if you have kids or know someone who thinks they don't like reading, maybe today is the day to help them find their right book. It might be Harry Potter, it might be something completely different – but somewhere out there is a story waiting to transform them into a reader.Visit a bookstore or library today. Reread a favorite chapter from Harry Potter. Start a book club with friends or family. The specific action doesn't matter as much as honoring what Harry Potter Book Day celebrates: the transformative magic of finding the right story.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now but I'll be back tomorrow. Same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.