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.

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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…