I won’t call myself a bookworm, primarily because my reading lulls are frequent and range from a few days, weeks to even a few months sometimes. Matters of precedence, too much of reading churning a cocktail of thoughts in my mind or, most commonly, time required to process something heavy that I read, make me want to restrain myself from diving into a new book.
Like many others I know of, having a stack of unread books doesn’t deter me from buying new ones. There is an unspeakable feeling of comfort in knowing that a whole lot of new and interesting characters, safely ensconced in the wonderful-smelling pages of the book, are waiting patiently for me to discover and hopefully fall in love with them. It is the beginning of a relationship, already. 🙂
Is it weird that I’m obsessively possessive about my books? Defacing them by writing or drawing on them is sacrilege (although I did that with my course books, for recalling later). Back in college, it broke my heart to write my name even on my own books but it wasn’t an option since the friends who borrowed them had to remember that they belonged to me and return them! 😀 😛
While A Jr has a growing stash of books, his disregard to their upkeep makes me want to nip his reading love in its bud at times. Of course, I don’t act on it. I keep reminding him that a book, any book, is like a blessing of the Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, and we must respect and value it for what its worth. It does register but also gets wiped out in no time, until the next sermon from his neurotic mother. :-/
With two kids, festive season, blogging and other responsibilities, squeezing out time for reading is becoming increasingly difficult for me nowadays. The half-read books lying on my bedside grumpily stare at me, springing to life once in a while only to realise that I’m dusting the accumulated layers of dust off them. “Soon!”, I make a silent promise, to them and myself. 🙂
What is your book story? Are you a fellow book-loving weirdo? Any new books you read? Recommendations? Anything at all, share with me!
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This was such an interesting read. I was an avid reader till before blogging. Slowly it reduced to being the occasional one and now i can say i am going through a break-up with books. Not a proud situation at all.
Ah, I get you. It isn’t a pleasant feeling. I try to find time, but alas, it doesn’t happen often. Reading blogs is good too, but books are a different thing altogether.
A wonderful read, Varsha and you have written it so well. Who would not like books they are awesome to read and give us so much knowledge. Thanks for the share.
Thank you so much, Kamal. You always have such kind words for me. Books are dear to me and I respect people who put in so much thought and time in writing them. 🙂
Welcome Varsha and yes absolutely true.
I take four or five books from my library per month. Mostly I complete before the due date. I was used to this practice ( with some occasional differences)since I fall in love with books.. but later, my career put a pause to everything unknowingly. In fact then I was mostly into those technical reading or robin Sharma type books only… but now I am back, putting a pause to my office desktop job to smell the library flavor….
That’s so good to know, Akhila. I keep coming back to reading myself, obsessively continue for some days and then the break comes back. Technical reading is not my cup of tea. Please continue reading and motivate me too.
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Well described your feelings!! Yes books are indeed precious!! Though not so many books I am able to read regularly but I try my love for reading books don’t die!! Would be glad to share the different authors name you enjoy reading!!
Heartfelt feelings have a way to come out and connect, I think. 🙂
If you’re a reader, your love will never die. Breaks don’t change the connect. My favourite authors; Khalid Hosseini, Dan Brown, Mitch Albom, etc.
I used to love reading before.. But now a days I hardly get time
Aww, that’s sad. Hope you can find time for it. 🙂
I too love to read but these says its like impossible. Loved reading your feelings for books. I feel the same way. A Book. Any book is like a blessing from the goddess Saraswati.
I’m glad you agree, Nisha. Time is a constraint and we all have less of it always, but things that make us happy are worth trying for. 🙂
Amazing article… I loved it…I feel ashamed of scribbling on every page of books I read..thnx for sharing ur experience…..
Nothing to be ashamed of there. It is a personal thing. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I can’t resist… Weneva I buy a new book n wen I’m in to it..automatically I take a pen n get started… ????????????
Haha. This was an interesting read. I can relate at many places. Esp, nipping the reading bud, coz my daughter, though still small, sometimes does disregard books, but then I feel I should give her time to understand me.
N then owing to the festivities, campaigns, blogging, reading is getting delayed. A funny thought comes to mind, books look at me saying- ‘reading delayed, is reading denied’. ????????????????
Filhaal, m in between Sivagami by Anand Neelakantan and Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman.
If u figure out a way to this crazy mess, do let me. I’m behind u in many many things ????
Hahaha..fellow mom and reader, we are together in this! Reading delayed is not reading denied, basically because books don’t rant and are very patient. They will quietly sit for days, even months, until we pick them up and start reading out of guilt. I have The Land Of the Seven Rivers by Sanjeev Sanyal, half-read and Mistress by Anita Nair on the first page. ????????
Haha. Absolutely true. With books it’s ‘NO’ complaints, no demand’s (again a movie dialogue). I too am half way through in ‘Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg’ n ‘When Breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi’ .. 🙁 have to pick them soon. Gosh, there is so much to read, online offline..I wish I read as much as I can till m.alive.
In fact, today also I sit with a pencil when reading. I like marking words/inspiring lines while reading. 🙂
I can’t do that. Just can’t. Still. Not a single line on my book.
Hey I am obessive about books too! ???? And thay’s how I got big glasses! I enjoy reading fantasy ????
Oh, you do! Always good to meet another booklover. I haven’t gotten glasses yet, thankfully. Did you read a lot of fantasy under your blanket in torchlight? ????????
This is so cool, you’re really good at playing with words haha! ⚡️
Thanks a lot, Prerna.
Loved the post… I am a book lover and can totally understand love for books
Wow, another booklover. Good to know, Deepika. Thank you. 🙂
One piece on book brings so many booklovers together, under one roof. And without any screen. 🙂
That’s true. Book love is pure, unadulterated. 🙂
I am also a book lover but these days don’t get proper time to sit and enjoy my books…
Story of so many of us! Hope you get time, Snigdha. 🙂
Nice read. Reading soothes my soul. Whenever I’m free I take a book and a cup of coffee.
Wow, that indeed is the best and easiest way to get an in-house vacation kind of feeling. I like! 🙂
ha ha, that sounds much relatable, with the dusts sheets spreading day on day, I daily look and say during weekends for sure:)
Same here, Jhilmil. Dusting them also makes me happy. Touched them atleast! ????
I’m not a book worm. I would love to play with makeup either.
It’s a great read gal.. I am not much in to reading but do read sometimes
Books are like our best companion. I just love to read different different books to increase my knowledge. In my free time I just want a hot cup of big cup and any book of my favourite author. Just love that time. You write it so beautifully. Loved reading it.
Not getting time for the books but I love to read books.
My book story started with Nancy Drew & Sherlock Holmes and still is pretty much the same. I like mystery fiction.
Wow! Simply loved your insights on books. Nice to know about you 🙂
Hi, very good article
Thanks for sharing keep up the work