In Roxane Gay's memoir "Hunger," she reflects on the solace she found in reading, which allowed her to escape her feelings of loneliness and anxiety during difficult times, particularly in middle school. Reading became a form of refuge for her, letting her experience different worlds while she struggled with her own painful reality.

Gay describes the internal conflict of wanting to be the ideal daughter her parents expected while grappling with deep emotional turmoil. Despite her desire to express her feelings, fear of their potential reaction silenced her. This fear grew over time, overshadowing her life as she remained trapped in her silence, highlighting the struggle many face between personal identity and external expectations.