“What is the most recent book you read?” Someone asked me the other day and I found myself fumbling for words to answer them. Being a student of literature and a lover of books at the same time, it struck me hard that it had been ages since I had read a complete book. It made me probe into the reasons underlying this slow but evident shift from a habit that I had once cherished so much.
In course of time, I realized that the only written material many of us came across everyday and were unconsciously forced to read were the umpteen posts on social media websites and the few notes that we managed to gather and cram into our heads, a few hours before exams. Even the books prescribed in our syllabus, if found to be thicker than two or three centimeters, scared the living daylights out of us and would only lie in a corner, gathering dust. This aversion to reading is also fueled by the unexplained urge to check the phone every fifteen minutes or less.
The other day, I saw a WhatsApp status update by one of my close friends in which she had put up the picture of a book with the caption “#1 of 100”. Curiosity got the better of me and I asked her what it was all about. She told me the book had been lying around at home since a decade and all she ever did over the years was to change the position of the book from one rack to the other (given the increase in inflow of textbooks generously added to the shelves over the years), in the process of organizing her room, without so much as turning a page. It being New Year, she told me how she had made the resolution to read at least a hundred books over the next 365 days. I do not know how successful she will be at it (the doubt emerging from my complete faith in the brevity of new year resolutions!) but the idea very much struck me. I felt this urge to reconnect with my lost love for reading.
I also realized that it isn’t just me who felt this way. Many of us were once avid readers but now, either due to time constraints or myriad available options of things to do during leisure time, have had to give up reading. Another friend of mine told me the other day that whenever she put things in order in her room, she always put out one or the other book onto her study table with the intention of reading it but somehow such plans never materialize.
Most of us have this strange connect with books. Whenever I enter a bookstore, I simply cannot contain my excitement at seeing so many books- of different authors and genres. I am almost always engulfed with this desire to own every single one of those books,neatly arranged on racks. I feel the intrinsic desire to touch them, turn the pages, take in the smell and carry it off home to read in a cosy, comfortable corner of the house. The thought itself is so fulfilling.
Reading not only adds to our store of information but also gives us fresh perspectives on things. It give wings to our imagination and gives us the power to conjure up places and characters in our heads,which is an experience in itself.
This New Year, I too would like to resuscitate the habit of reading and as an initial step towards that goal, I have laid my hands on The Book Thief by Markus Zusac. Do let me know about your own experiences and also,any book suggestions are warmly welcome.
Have a great year ahead. π
Love.
Wonderful π
You know I am also reading the same book!! ππ
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Wow.. That’s great.. Hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. π
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Yes indeed βΊ
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I love to read but hardly ever did so mostly I complained about not having time but I started reading again from November and I completed almost six books.
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That’s amazing.. Hope I too read as many as I can lay my hands onπ
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Yeah
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My suggestion would be donβt go by popular reads, There are many other titles waiting for you to be explored! Find them, Happy Reading and Have a great year π
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Sure.. Will do that.. π
Have a great year ahead.. π
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Yes reading is so important. Now making more time to read rather than just gazing at the TV.
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And its so much more productive too.. π
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I had almost the same realization about reading a couple years ago. So, I started reading 10 pages or one chapter a day of a book. Itβs a slow rate and much slower than the old days when Iβd devour a book in a day but it is doable. I donβt know how many books Iβve read the past couple of years but I am still maintaining my goal!
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Something is better than nothing at all I guess.. I suggest you to keep at it π
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cksdays, this is me too! Iβve found that for me the most important thing is to limit time spent with various screens. Itβs tempting to do all your reading on-line.That and the discipline of having a goal β a chapter a day is doable! It works for other things too, like allocating time to spend meditating. Slow and steady is good!
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Even I am trying to do the same thing.. Setting apart a little time for reading and actually enjoying it in the process π
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i usually combat reading slump with a really great book – but i know that doesn’t really work. i think that while i force myself to pick this book and that, i eventually do get the one i can’t put down.
As for suggestions, most people n ow a days are simply taking up the habit of audio books. they listen to it in the car while driving to work, or school, or while they cook, or clean or commute or whatever. it’s faster, easier, and although you’re not on the corner sofa, feet propped with a cup of hot cocoa, you’re still reading. or listening.
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But I don’t think one can derive the same pleasure out of it.. But something is better than nothing I suppose π
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no, but you wonβt miss out on books. and you can always pick a paperback whenever you have the free time.
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True that π
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The excitement in a bookstore, being among books..taking in the fresh fragrance of a new book…all me too…I’d eventually buy a book or two…don’t think I’ve ever left a bookstore without buying a book…unless I’m there for a different purpose or broke!
In that case, I’ve left empty handed.
Reading is love
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I agree.. Sometimes I feel like carrying away all the books .. π
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Paperbacks in comparison to the e-books is my way of reading…but off late…I’ve started reading on whatpadd and that’s cool two-bit just not the same
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I somehow cant bring myself to read online.. Too much in love with paperbacksβ€οΈ
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eBoooks do look the way forward…but it would be a shame if there’s a time when paperbacks would be wiped out
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Hope such times never comeπ
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Kite runner is a book I like very much. I would suggest this book if you have not read it and if you are a sensitive person
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It is one of the most amazing books I have read so far. It’s so beautifully written..can re-read it any number of times. Thanks a lot for the suggestionππ
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π
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Thatβs so true! I was an avid reader but now I hardly pick any book to read. Though list is too long, shelf is getting stocked up because I couldnβt stop myself from buying. This post is inspiring me to start reading once again.
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Glad that you can connect too.. Now I consciously try to read more and trust me, its so satisfying. π
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No doubt!!
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Reading transports us to unknown lands, to adventures, to being happy with people we fall in love with, cry with them, walk along with them on their trails! Itβs something that surpasses anything I have known! Have a great reading journey this year and yes βThe Book Thiefβ is one hell of a book π
P.S.: Thank you so much for chancing upon my blog!
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The pleasure is mine π
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Happy to know you are a literature studentβ¦β¦
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π
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I have that book!π
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That’s great π
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Can relate to this post! ;P
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Haha.. But I am really trying now.. π
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I too wanna start reading a new book after this.
Hey you too are a literature student?
What do you study?
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Nice blog..
Do visit to my blog and follow it if you likeβ¦.
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