A lost habit and it’s revival

Reading books was a habit that I had cultivated mostly in my school. That was mostly because of my fascination with the Library which was housed in my school. But then yes, you never get to read all the good books you want to read. You would get the little kids books, which then finally be taken away.

My English teacher, Ms.Rosallyn asked us once in the class if we had ever read actual books. The reply was opposite of the chorus “Yes, Ma’am”. Some mixed replies from the students. She then accompanied us in the next Library period to get us all some good novels for kids. Many of my classmates got Famous Five novels. I forgot the book I had to return (It was a small story of a rabbit who solves the mystery of stolen chocolate buttons). And hence now I don’t get the novel, plus I get to stand outside as punishment. The librarian was the lookalike of a TV show vamp, and I used to fear her a lot.

Next time when the teacher met me, she asked the whereabouts of my novel. I told her the truth, and she replied “Son, couldn’t you just bring that childish button book and get the novel I wanted you to have ?” I had no answer. She was the same teacher in 1st grade who would twist my ears and make me do Math problems, but I love my teacher for kindling this reading habit in me. Thank you, Rosallyn ma’am.

I was disappointed that I didn’t have one. But then a fellow classmate lent me his novel for the weekends. It was The Famous Five and the Cavalier’s Treasure. I was hooked. I loved reading it and finished reading it entirely on the weekends. The next time I got myself The Famous Five and the Golden Galleon and gave that button book away. These are the old memories I have. Thank you Fainik Kataria.

Since then reading books for leisure was something I would personally look forward to. But as I went on to go to high school, this reading stopped. My high school had a bad library culture. I don’t remember meeting a single guy interested in the library’s books. Library was a period you could simply chat or maybe play around or do your homework.

By the time of college, computer gaming and TV binges had replaced my old hobbies of reading and art. My college library, was only a source of textbooks for me. Of course it had some other good literature too.But I had no time or slots for that. I’ve had a peculiar relationship with library. In my entire college term, my canteen bill is less than the money I’ve paid at the Library. I’m serious, and that too for things which other guys did to me and my card. I really recommend keep that Library card of yours very secure. Because some people love that lost card, and even better when the card has all of it’s slots empty and the person would like to take some library books in their personal collection. Library was not fun for me in college. Period. Because I made it so.

Coming back to the present, I realized a few days ago, what I considered as fun for myself in the college were activities that simply killed my time. Hence I decided let’s take up reading again. So I started with eBooks, but I would rather wander away to YouTube or something else on your device. eBooks didn’t cater to me the way an actual physical book would to my senses. hence after two months of reading stupidly, I decided to get a library membership for myself.

So I went to the library and I got the membership immediately, in the second attempt. The first time, a super serious looking woman said I couldn’t have the form if I could not produce a proof of my residence. I had it but I didn’t bring it, My bad. Both of us misunderstood each other. I thought this is again going to be the same as in the past, but sometimes I think we should stop assuming and start embracing instead.

Then today is the day when I finally allowed myself to get this and break out of time killing habits which I had taken up previously. Today that smell of books filled my mind and it was awesome. (I smelled an old edition of this book. Loved it !) I was blushing and muttering happily when I got my library card. And I feel happy that I am doing something what I really wanted to do. I am keeping my promises to myself, one at a time.

There will be more posts in my experiences in the library. This experience is going to be as exciting as I make it. And I look forward to it.

Now why do you wait, go help yourself to a good book. But read this fantastic article on how to read before you set off on your reading journey, it’ll help you a lot.