For most of my life, I thought I couldn’t read very well 😔

Photo: Justine Anweiler, Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas, 2024.

When I was 7, I was identified as a slow reader who had developmental issues around reading.

I knew because everyone got caterpillar head stickers on the back of our notebooks and mine didn’t grow. The rule was every time you finished a book the teacher gave you another sticker to add to its body. While some kids were snaking across pages mine only ever had a neck.

So my dad bought me Hooked-On-Phonics.
It didn’t help. He gave up.

The kids kept getting stickers but I was too scared to lie about books I hadn’t read.

So I hid my stunted caterpillar and prayed we wouldn’t have to show the teacher our notebooks — or worse the class.

We always did 😣

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When I was 15 we had to read books for English class and short essays for Social Studies tests. So I found ways to hide my underdeveloped reading skills.

For English class, I centered my work on critical thinking and passionate opinions built on the little I read.

On tests, I discovered that if I took longer to read I’d have to take shorter to answer.

I made decisions faster on multiple-choice questions – and I ran with the first idea that came to me for the long-form answers. Not having time to think through argument or sentence structure – I learned to write faster.

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When I was 25 I landed a job as a book cover designer and realized right away I was surrounded by the adult versions of the kids who had snakes for caterpillars in their notebooks.

So I learned to listen better.

I observed editors' tastes, authors' vibes, and Sales’ preferences.
I designed based on mood board research, gut instincts, and intuition.
I strengthened my ability to see visual patterns and hoped no one would look too closely at mine.

When you’re a book cover designer everyone asks: do you have to read every book you design?

I would hesitate. . .

Not knowing whether to let them in on my secret or lean into how I did it differently.

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Then yesterday at 36 my neighbour came over and saw the book I was reading. It’s 700+ pages and I’ll likely finish it quite quickly (see picture for reference).

She said “I could never read a book that big. It intimidates me.”

I said “I used to feel the same way"

* insert me drifting off into space wondering what's changed 🤔 *

I didn’t teach myself to read.
I showed myself that I could read (just fine).

Rather than trying to read content I will always read slowly, I found content I devour quickly.

I no longer read to memorize or learn.
I read to enjoy.

I no longer read to prove myself, keep up or belong.
I read just for me.

My caterpillar may never be a snake but she is mine and she is growing ☺️🐛

Article FAQs generated by Chat GPT:
1. How does one go from struggling with reading as a child to confidently finishing large books as an adult?
Justine’s journey was more about a shift in mindset than a drastic improvement in reading speed. She realized she was struggling not because she couldn't read but because she hadn’t found the right type of content for herself. When she let go of the pressure to read quickly or for memorization, she started choosing books that genuinely interested her and read at her own pace. This made reading feel enjoyable and natural rather than something she had to “get better” at. Over time, it became less about how quickly she read and more about connecting with what she read.

2. What led her to choose book cover design as a career, despite her early struggles with reading?
She’s always loved art and visual design, and book cover design felt like the perfect place to bring stories to life in a different way. Even though she wasn’t a traditional “bookworm,” her unique perspective allowed her to connect with stories through visual cues, emotions, and atmosphere rather than strictly through words. Observing and interpreting the ideas of editors, authors, and the creative team helped her approach design in an intuitive way, so she didn’t need to read every word to create covers that resonated.

3. What advice would you give to others who feel self-conscious about their reading skills or who feel like they don’t “fit” the typical reader profile?
Let go of the need to read the same way others do or to reach some arbitrary “standard” of reading. Reading is personal, and there’s no single right way to do it. Explore different types of content and find what you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s graphic novels, poetry, essays, or lengthy fiction. Remember, it’s okay to read for enjoyment and connection rather than mastery or speed. In the end, it’s about finding your own pace and savoring the experience.