Confessions of a Bookworm: A Journey Through My Literary Obsessions
I haven't written much besides book reviews in this little space of mine. So, when Blogchatter announced the Half Marathon, I
embraced the idea and thought it could add more diverse content here.
The initial
topic I'd like to delve into is the transformation that turned me into a
bookworm and ignited my passion for books.
Books have always been one of my passions and hobbies. I can't pinpoint when this turned into an obsession or where it began. There were always books and magazines at home. My mom wrote articles and stories for children, showing me the issues where her work got published. Maybe that's when I fell with books!
High school
provided the perfect chance to delve deeper into this hobby. I eagerly
anticipated the library period. Reading there was the norm for some classes,
and as we advanced to higher grades, borrowing books was allowed. It felt like
bringing home a treasure every week. I recall finishing a book in one sitting,
then regretting how quickly I finished it, knowing I had to wait an entire week
for a new one.
Another task
involved writing a summary for the borrowed book and handing it in during the
next library session. If it wasn't well-written and seemed rushed just for the
sake of getting it done, we'd receive an earful and a look of disappointment on
our dear librarian’s face.
I think this
was what actually got me into doing book reviews. What to write and how it
should be written probably stemmed from these prissy writing exercises!
Returning to our library
hour, there's another memory that remains vivid. Occasionally, or more
accurately, very rarely, I would forget to bring the book back and couldn't
return it on the designated day. As a result, no new book for me, and I had to
endure a week without a library book. It was truly frustrating!
In the midst
of all this, my parents continued to buy me books and motivated me to read and
nurture this habit. They consistently mentioned that it would prove useful
someday, and all the information I absorbed would eventually find its way to
assist me.
During college, there was a shift in focus. Our time was mainly dedicated to
borrowing books necessary for our degree, leaving little room to explore
anything else. Borrowing novels or non-fiction became a rare occurrence. However,
I managed to snatch moments to peruse glossy cookbooks in the reference area
and even read a few chapters of a novel during lunch hours.
The annual
book fair at the college library was always an event to anticipate. I didn't go
overboard, but I did purchase the books I had been eyeing and a few extra ones.
My classmates couldn't fathom why I bought so many books or what intrigued me
about them.
Things
shifted considerably after I settled into my career, especially in the medical
field. Busy work hours didn't leave much space for my hobby, but there was a
guy with a pushcart-style bookshop I used to buy books from. He often flagged
me down when I walked by, letting me know he had a copy of a certain book I had
been seeking or offering a great book recommendation, as he had a good sense of
my preferences.
Nevertheless, my habit of purchasing books and exploring bookshops persisted
until I relocated to China for a couple of years. The bookstores in the area
were a visual treat, although most of the books were in Chinese – a language I
could speak and understand but couldn't read. Yet, that didn't discourage me
from buying a handful, mainly for the captivating visuals and the excitement of
adding to my collection. I managed to get a few cookbooks translated with the
help of a friend, and those books remain cherished possessions.
Upon
returning to India, I felt like a child in a candy store! My book-buying spree
regained its momentum and has been going strong ever since. A good deal or an
appealing cover is hard for me to resist. I once treated myself to 60 books for
my birthday, and that remains one of the best gifts I've given myself.
The
inclination to acquire books comes before the act of reading them. While I do
read extensively and review books, the act of collecting them brings me even
more joy, a sentiment fellow bibliophiles would undoubtedly understand. I
possess the same titles in different formats and cherish each version equally.
As my
collection expanded, I unintentionally acquired 2 or 3 copies of the same book.
That's when I realized the need to catalog my collection to curb redundant
purchases. I maintain a catalog using Microsoft Excel, featuring columns solely
for title and author. It's not elaborate, but it facilitates easy searches by
title or author name. It serves its purpose well. I update this each time I make
a purchase and things are back on track.
At present, I have a robust collection of approximately 1,500 physical
books, and my digital library consists of twice that number of ebooks.
Considering the steady stream of review copies and personal acquisitions, I'm
starting to believe I need a dedicated space solely to house my books.
Fortunately, my husband is on board with the idea.
My parents
remain actively involved, sending me book recommendations and keeping me
informed about book fairs and sales. Even the kids have made a promise –
they'll one day buy me a house exclusively for books, a place where I can read
to my heart's content. With such unwavering support from my family, I
anticipate my passion for books and my journey through their world will
persist....
I hope you
enjoyed reading about my journey, and I'd love to hear about your bookish
passions in the comments below.
*********
This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon. I intend to post more content along similar lines in the coming days. I hope you will return to read them too.
Until then…
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