Category: Self Development

Bond with Books


‘Books are your best friends.’

‘The best companion one can ever have is books.’

book-inspiration-quoteI am sure we all have heard such similar sentences numerable times. And I know for sure that people who share that special friendship… so-called bond with Books will agree to this.

During January 2015, Hindustan Times came up with its challenge for the 2nd year, Hindustan Times Brunch initiative to promote reading. I came to know about this from the renowned Indian Author Ravi Subramanian’s Facebook wall. He had taken up the challenge. The target was 30 Books in a year. I became an avid part of it and completed 31 books. As they say that at times it is difficult to express happiness or joy in words, this is somewhat that kind of feeling. I can only say that it feels ‘wow’ every time I think of this. book brunch

I loved thoroughly my journey of reading these 31 books. Since it was my 1st time of taking up such a challenge, I did not think of any specific subject or language or had set any criteria for the books I will be reading. So I read various books on various subjects penned by authors that belonged to different genres. I even tagged them on my Facebook wall as #‎BrunchBookChallenge by Hindustan Times Brunch with an intention to share my excitement with my Facebook Friends.

I noticed that these updates on my Facebook wall received comparatively lesser traction when compared to other posts of mine. Many people out there thought, why am I sharing it? Possibly many might have not bothered too. But I continued doing so, just because I wanted to continue walking towards my aim. Yes, an AIM.

Whenever I meet people, out of few things, I am very keen to know if other person is someone who loves reading or is interested in books. This not only gives a feeling that there is one common topic wherein discussion can take place, but I also always have a hidden greed that I will know more about books. There is so much written across the globe by various people on various subjects in various languages. So there is so much to read and learn and widen the horizon of our thoughts.

I always ask this question to people I meet, “Do you read?” or “Do you have a reading habit?” or “Do you Like books?”

When there is an affirmation, my heart smiles. And when the answer is a “NO” or something close to this answer, I try to share my experience or that lovely bond with books with an intention to somewhere convince the person to take upon reading as a habit. Many people tell me that you cannot convince someone to take up reading as a habit. But I am so happy to share that I did convince to a handful of, successfully. And I feel so great about it. Yes, I do. I feel blessed. And this motivates me to continue doing so.

Today, as I share my feelings here, the intention is same.

And with this, now for 2016, my resolution is to read 50 different writers across the world. In 2015, I noticed that I read mostly Indian writers. This does not mean that I will not read Indian writers, but this means I will at least read works penned by 50 writers across the globe. I am Already feeling excited about it. And to keep a track on it, I will tag them as ‘#2016WritersAcrossGlobe’ whenever I post an update related to this activity on my wall. Moreover, henceforth I also plan to cultivate the habit of recording each and every book that read on Goodreads.

Anyone who is interested in accompanying me in this is more than welcome. It would really be nice. Moreover, I am happy to welcome suggestions for this activity as well. And even if I am alone, I will surely continue doing so, because with this activity even if I motivate and make 1 person adapt the habit of reading in whole 2016, I will consider it a success…

I know I am not doing something exceptional but still….

So… Come… Join me in the journey and experience the joy of Reading J

 

Glance at My Journey with Books in 2015:

 

Quotes on Reading:

“You’re never alone when you’re reading a book.” ― Susan Wiggs

“A book lying idle on a shelf is wasted ammunition. Like money, books must be kept in constant circulation… A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold.” ― Henry Miller

“Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter.” ― Paxton Hood