Books and more......
Sometimes with books it's not what they are about, it is also interesting to remember how you chanced upon a particular book, where did you buy it from, was it a gift or borrowed read, etc. These memories also colour my fondness for a particular book. I am particular that I return a book when I borrow it and vice versa, well almost always:). Nobody is perfect, are they?
When we were kids, we looked forward to going to the library in the colony club - open on Mon, Wed, Fri evenings. So G, our neighbour and a voracious reader, my brother and me would walk to the library in anticipation. Of course, the library had a very small section of children's books but we made the most of all the Enid Blytons, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drews, etc it had to offer.I still remember the smell of books in that place. G had his own room with a huge cupboard full of comics and books that would tumble out when you opened the door. Only we, amongst other kids in the colony, were allowed privileged access and those are some pleasant memories. In turn, I would lend him out subscribed copies of Nandan and Parag magazines. I can't even describe our acute disappointment when we would walk into the gates and see the library lights off!
When I moved to B'bay I would delight in all those pavement book-stores at King Circle and Fort areas. I have Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Short Stories of Saki, bought there. Also, in the hostel, it was a pretty done thing knocking on people's doors asking them if they had something to read. Sometimes, they would mishear you and say only pickle. Then you clarified - read, not eat. That phase was also an OD on Mills and Boons, am off them for life now.
I can also be a bit of a persistent borrower when I spot a really good book - My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrel. I saw this book in the house of my husband's colleague and seriously why did I not think of just buying it, no I asked them for it. Well, it's a great book, one of my all-time favorites. The husband gifted me my own copy soon. And then there was this small lending library in Lokhandwala, that introduced me to the books of Torey Hayden.
When I moved to Belgium, one thing I had not had the foresight to buy amongst all the baby stuff was books for my baby. English books here are not difficult to get, but cost the earth if bought new. Once we visited the student city of Ghent. We reached there to find the place half closed because of a marathon happening in the city. One one of the side roads was this book-shop with a pretty biggish section for English books. And I pounced on these lovely treasures there - A Ladybird Collection of Fairy Tales, Little Bear's Trousers by Jane Hissey, and a set of board books on abridged version of Beatrix Potter's Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny etc.
And then when I was at my mother's place I got to read some old dusty James Harriot books from a really well-stocked library. lil G was a newborn then and I was looking at some light reading. I really have not bought a book for myself in years, appalling really. This year I want to read more and incorporate non-fiction in my reading.
Do you have some favorite books and memories too?
When we were kids, we looked forward to going to the library in the colony club - open on Mon, Wed, Fri evenings. So G, our neighbour and a voracious reader, my brother and me would walk to the library in anticipation. Of course, the library had a very small section of children's books but we made the most of all the Enid Blytons, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drews, etc it had to offer.I still remember the smell of books in that place. G had his own room with a huge cupboard full of comics and books that would tumble out when you opened the door. Only we, amongst other kids in the colony, were allowed privileged access and those are some pleasant memories. In turn, I would lend him out subscribed copies of Nandan and Parag magazines. I can't even describe our acute disappointment when we would walk into the gates and see the library lights off!
When I moved to B'bay I would delight in all those pavement book-stores at King Circle and Fort areas. I have Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Short Stories of Saki, bought there. Also, in the hostel, it was a pretty done thing knocking on people's doors asking them if they had something to read. Sometimes, they would mishear you and say only pickle. Then you clarified - read, not eat. That phase was also an OD on Mills and Boons, am off them for life now.
I can also be a bit of a persistent borrower when I spot a really good book - My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrel. I saw this book in the house of my husband's colleague and seriously why did I not think of just buying it, no I asked them for it. Well, it's a great book, one of my all-time favorites. The husband gifted me my own copy soon. And then there was this small lending library in Lokhandwala, that introduced me to the books of Torey Hayden.
When I moved to Belgium, one thing I had not had the foresight to buy amongst all the baby stuff was books for my baby. English books here are not difficult to get, but cost the earth if bought new. Once we visited the student city of Ghent. We reached there to find the place half closed because of a marathon happening in the city. One one of the side roads was this book-shop with a pretty biggish section for English books. And I pounced on these lovely treasures there - A Ladybird Collection of Fairy Tales, Little Bear's Trousers by Jane Hissey, and a set of board books on abridged version of Beatrix Potter's Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny etc.
And then when I was at my mother's place I got to read some old dusty James Harriot books from a really well-stocked library. lil G was a newborn then and I was looking at some light reading. I really have not bought a book for myself in years, appalling really. This year I want to read more and incorporate non-fiction in my reading.
Do you have some favorite books and memories too?
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Wow, i loved this post. A similar post of my bookish journey is lying in my drafts, i am going to soon publish it, you inspired me :)
ReplyDeleteThanks ZM, look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteEnid Blyton ......... transports me to another era :) Sigh! those were the days!
ReplyDeleteYes, seriously, those were the best days of my life:)
Deleteahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am going ot leave my job very soon, just because i dont get time to read books now , too tired by the time i am home
ReplyDeleteBikram's
I know, work tends to take precedence over most things in life. Do try to take some time over the weekends!
DeleteI have never read anything in the non-fiction genre - frankly I don't think a genre called 'non-fiction' actually exists!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post :) I read the entire Enid Blyton series as a kid and I loved the stories of Famous Five and Secret Seven - I remember forming a club with some friends and we tried solving mysteries - unfortunately there were no mysteries to solve other than where did our toy go and other childish stuff :P :P
I grew up on Nancy Drews, Tinkle comics, Agatha Christie novels...and of course, HARRY POTTER!!
I can't think of any one book in particular which changed my life but I remember reading 'Tell Me Your Dreams' by Sidney Sheldon which deals with DID (or multiple personality disorder) and I remember getting fascinated by psychology after reading the book...Today I am a counsellor and I owe it to the book for having generated some interest in me on that subject :)
I think I have read books from every series of Enid Blytons. He he, we tried to form a club too, but we were only 3 of us. Have not come across this book of Sidney Sheldon, will try and read it. Interesting that it shaped your career decision.
DeleteI love My family and other animals too. Spent many an afternoon laughing out loud reading that book. of course PG Wodehouse too. These books always bring back memories of lazy warm afternoons on the couch in my parents home. Oh! how i miss those simple days!
ReplyDeleteSame here, Preethi, my fav. too and am always recommending it as a good read. Yes, those days were without too many cares. Now thinking of re-reading a book is also a waste of time:)
DeleteWow! brimming with love for books :) I actually discovered this love affair a little later in my life, precisely in college and now I am hooked to it... :)
ReplyDeleteYes Jas, though my attempt was to write about how I came across different books! But mention books and it really gets us all going.
Deleteoh..how i used to beg everyone for books to read:)..wherever I live, either I start a lending library myself or join one..
ReplyDeleteHe he, Renuji, that's a great thing, also makes for great interaction and exchanges.
DeleteAh, how I loved this post! You know why! :)
ReplyDeleteI have loads of memories related to books. Loads and loads and loads. I don't think I have ever written about them. A book becomes special to me not only because I like the story, but also because of how it came to me and what life stage I was passing through when I read it.
Beautiful post! :)
he he TGND, of course I know. I really like your suggestion about relating books to lifestage. You must do a post on your favorite books too.
DeleteI have so many book-related memories...where to start? The first love of my life! Liked ur post, makes me want to write something on the same theme.
ReplyDeleteOh, please do Aparna, I am really looking forward to it. and I am not even half well-read as a lot of you.
DeleteI started reading from the second hand books from pavements at Fort in Mumbai too :) My dad used to get me books from there
ReplyDeleteI loved this post... I think, I must do a post on my reading too :)
I used to love browsing there, spoilt for choice:) Don't know if they are still there, those pavement shops. And the people manning the stalls were very updated on books too. Would love to read your post, Lifesong.
DeleteIf there was anything needed to confirm my love for you, it is that you read and loved Durrell and Herriot!!
ReplyDelete