Nordic Diary | My First Old Book Market in Norrköping

📚Back in China, I’d wander old book stalls for hours, snagging a worn copy of a novel or a poetry collection whenever something caught my eye. Today marked my first dive into Norrköping’s secondhand book scene—and it was pure magic. Tucked away in a cobblestone alley near the river, the stall was small but overflowing with literary treasures. 📖🌿 The owner, a warm-eyed uncle with a silver beard, lit up when I mentioned my love for books. “You’re a reader? Wonderful!” he said, gesturing to shelves crammed with Swedish classics. He pulled out a pristine hardcover set of A History of Swedish Literature—“For you, since you’re studying here!”—and then, to my surprise, a weathered Swedish translation of A History of Chinese Literature. “I adore Chinese philosophy,” he shared, flipping to a page on Laozi. “‘The way of heaven is natural’… isn’t that beautiful?” His passion was contagious; I could’ve stayed there for hours, chatting about books and life. 😊📜💬 But here’s the kicker: Since moving to Sweden, my reading habit’s taken a nosedive. Between exams, part-time jobs, and endless fika breaks, I’ve been “too busy” to open a book. Shameful, really. 😔📉 Watching this uncle lose himself in pages, I thought: This is what I’m missing. So here’s my resolution: No more excuses. I’ll set a daily reading goal—even 20 pages a day. That stack of Swedish novels on my desk? They’re waiting. And next time I visit a bookstore, I’ll buy two books: one for now, one for later. 💪📖✨ Reading isn’t just about words—it’s about keeping your soul curious. Thanks, Uncle Booklover, for the reminder. ❤️📚 #NordicDiary #BookLover #StudyAbroadLife #ReadingIsLife