As a Hong Kong taxpayer, I have benefited in only two ways in terms of public services. One, the hiking trails and two the community libraries. In fact, the moment I got my Hong Kong ID when I moved here, I got myself fixed up at the library. I’m pretty sure I read more than the average person. If the cost of the books I have borrowed were counted as tax rebates, I believe I would have claimed back at least 20% of my taxes for the previous tax year. Not too bad I reckon.

I can occupy myself well as long as I have books at my disposal. I have been a voracious reader since I was a kid. There was always many books at home for me and my sis. My mum would make reading fun by playing games like making us guess which book the paragraph she was reading came from. We also loved our regular trips to the library.

The primary and secondary schools I went to, Singapore Chinese Girls School, also emphasised literature. Unlike other schools who didn’t require their students to take English literature because it was a subject that was difficult to score in, all of us had to take literature in secondary school. For those of us who had come from the primary school, we had English literature lessons even though we never had to sit for tests or exams for it. Two of the books we studied in primary school were “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” and “Heidi”. We were also made to read a book – one we brought from home – for half an hour in the school hall every day before the official start of lessons for the day.

As a working adult, it’s harder to find time to read amid other demands on my time. But I have still managed to keep up with my books by reading while on the bus or train. Or I’ll sneak in a few pages before bed. Travelling is also a good time to catch up with my reading. I always have a book or two with me when I go on holiday.

Just as one makes time for the things that matter, I make time for books which have over the years become trusted and lifelong companions.