So far this year, I have read 50 books, and the last book, book number 50, struck something very deep within me.

The book was “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong (Goodreads). And I finished that book two days ago, and there is something lingering within me, an after-taste so to speak. There are images, sentences, words from that book that has struck a chord deep within me, and I don’t really know what it is. I have no idea. It keeps me awake at night, and I find my thoughts returning to it.

One of the images in the book is about the monarch butterflies that migrate. Migrating butterflies. (Here is one analysis on the image)

This book made me want to write. Like – properly write. Not just write for functional reasons, at work. Or write to my loved one. Or write to my future in my diary. I really want to write, taste the words, explore the words.

And it is now Saturday morning, August 31st 2024, and I am awake, and the after-taste from the words in that Vuong book still linger, haunt.

(Bonus link – here are books that helped Vuong write this book)

(I don’t think I will write. It was just a passing feeling)

Here is a compelling interview with Vuong: