About

Welcome to my reading room.

Welcome to Rebecca’s Reading Room, a virtual space set aside for reading and reflection. Here, stories and poetry are given voice—spoken aloud, remembered, and felt deeply.

Over the years, I have come to understand that reading rooms are not confined to walls. They appear in many forms: a city library, a quiet park bench, a seat on public transit, a stool in a coffee shop, or a quiet corner of home. Whenever I have a book in hand, I am in a reading room. And so this space extends that experience.

Here, reading is not something to be hurried through or completed. It is something to be lived with. I return to passages. I sit with words. I allow them time to unfold and to speak in ways I did not expect. What matters here is not simply what a book is about, but what it awakens—what it stirs, what it questions, and what it quietly changes.

We are often encouraged to read quickly, to summarize, to recommend, to decide. Here, we take a different path. We pause. We read. We reflect. There is no expectation to agree. No pressure to finish. No need to arrive at a conclusion.

This is a place for thoughtful reading, for shared reflection, and for the quiet recognition that we are not alone in the questions we carry. You are always welcome here.

Rebecca

Whenever I have a book in hand, I am in a reading room.

Whenever I have a book in my hand, I am in a Reading Room

Words Matter

Morning Reflections

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” – Meister Eckhart
Every morning offers a new beginning. In these reflections, I embrace the gentle practice of starting again—quietly, deliberately, with curiosity and courage.

Join me in the morning…

OnTheRoad Book Club

Reading rooms are everywhere—often in the least expected places. I began this “book club” while walking to and from work with an audiobook in my ears. Whether on a path through the woods or a city street, stories travel with us.

Join me OTR Book Club…

Poetry in the Afternoons & Evenings

Join me in the calm hours of the day to recite a poem—to rest the mind and nourish the soul. Poetry gives rhythm to the everyday and brings us closer to the voices that have long echoed across time.

Join me in the Afternoon & Evening..

Reading a Story

“One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person—perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years.” Carl Sagan
To read is to voyage through time. In this space, I reflect on the stories that have stayed with me—voices that continue to speak long after the final page.

Join me in reading…

You’re invited to listen in.

Below you’ll find episodes from the Rebecca’s Reading Room podcast, where I share poetry, book reflections, and conversations that honour the quiet joy of reading.

Forgiveness by John Greenleaf Whittier – Rebecca's Reading Room

S6 E8: Forgiveness by John Greenleaf WhittierWelcome to Rebecca’s Reading Room.Today’s reading is a poem by the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier titled Forgiveness. I recorded this recitation while walking through a cemetery in Bath, England, a place where the quiet presence of history invites us to reflect on our shared human journey.Whittier’s poem reminds us that life is brief, that pride often weighs heavily on the heart, and that forgiveness can arrive in the most unexpected moments.I invite you to listen slowly, and perhaps allow these words to settle where they need to.Rebecca In his poem, Forgiveness, John Greenleaf Whittier shares his experience of having kindness answered with “foul wrong”.Forgivenessby John Greenleaf WhittierMy heart was heavy, for its trust had beenAbused, its kindness answered with foul wrong;So, turning gloomily from my fellow-men,One summer Sabbath day I strolled amongThe green mounds of the village burial-place;Where, pondering how all human love and hateFind one sad level; and how, soon or late,Wronged and wrongdoer, each with meekened face,And cold hands folded over a still heart,Pass the green threshold of our common grave,Whither all footsteps tend, whence none depart,Awed for myself, and pitying my race,Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave,Swept all my pride away, and trembling I forgave!Who was John Greenleaf Whittier?John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet and abolitionist. He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and grew up in a Quaker family. Whittier’s poetry focused on various themes, including nature, love, and social justice.Whittier gained recognition for his advocacy against slavery. His anti-slavery poems and writings played a significant role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about the injustices of slavery during the mid-19th century. He was an active supporter of the abolitionist movement and worked closely with prominent activists such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe.Whittier’s writings and activism made a lasting impact on American literature and the fight for social justice. His commitment to equality and his eloquent verse continue to inspire readers today.St. James CemeterySt James Cemetery, located in Bath, United Kingdom, has a rich history spanning several centuries. Over the years, St James Cemetery has continued to be a place of remembrance and tranquility. The burial ground offers a serene atmosphere, inviting visitors to explore the paths lined with gravestones that bear witness to the history of Bath and its inhabitants.Photography and Voice by Rebecca BuddMusic by Epidemic Sound Gavin Luke “Greater Than You Or I” https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/PZ8SYBCM0D/