Books – An adventure and an experience

Shilpa Shree
Nov 2 · 4 min read

Ever since man has been able to communicate, the means and mediums have been aplenty. From symbols to scripts, writing and reading are two skills here to stay for many more centuries. The sounds the words make somehow manages to communicate to us, make us understand the intent of the content. Isn’t it fascinating to be part of the powerful and wonderful skill of the living beings? Indeed, yes.

Well, life moves on and keeps changing, what remains unchanged is the thirst for knowledge and the quest to read more fantastically written books. With the advent of technology and the facility of accessing resources has only furthered the urge to read more and write more. Getting to read something is a task in itself. People living in this century (the 21st century) have a focus time of not more than five minutes. There are multiple entertaining distractions. Some we have acquired, some are being put on us.

There are people who are passionate to read more and more books. Their TBR (to be read) list is longer than the read pile. If we look at the whole scenario, one could notice that this is a typical case with many and is a prevailing situation. We have 24 hours in a day and that feels insufficient to complete our tasks from the to-do list, forget about reading every single day. Unable to make time to read is the most common excuse one gets to hear even from a voracious reader.

Let us agree on one thing here. Books relieve stress. They are the best friends irrespective of your crises. An escape into a realm away from the present world. It helps us to connect with ourselves, makes us compassionate, gives meaning to our questions and thoughts, and gives us direction when in need. The best support one could ask for. Now, taking time out of the busy schedule is quite a feat to achieve, hence skipping the task itself is easier. No! Here are few tricks and tips for you to be that avid reader, rekindle the voracious book devourer and maybe begin the penchant to reading altogether.

  1. Carry a book everywhere you go. Pick to read it every time you are sitting swiping through your phones randomly.

2. Keep away the distractions. If you decide to read a book, give it your complete attention. Books feel worse when you check messages on your phone while holding it in the hand. Remember, books are not humans to be forgiving.

3. Build a time – Books are there to enjoy. Do not suffocate yourself by drafting a time table to read. Yet, cultivate a habit to read a few paragraphs or pages at a certain time of the day or night. Do this every single day. It will eventually become a full-scope habit.

4. Do not over stress with joining many clubs and groups. Be true to what you do.

5. It is ok if you do not get to read today. Read tomorrow. Do not make it a convenient habit to keep the idea of reading tomorrow and the tomorrow never comes.

6. If you have a young child or toddler, start reading to them. Three things can happen because of this:

a) A bonding is created between the two of you
b) you will begin to read and get to the next level

c) You will be happy

7. Write a review every time you read. Or maintain a diary (Physical or online) to express your thoughts about the book you finished.

8. Read when you travel and are not doing much of talking or other social media things.

On a funny note, carry a board saying “Reading” or “only friends with readers”. Whatever you decide to do, remember one things, books are teachers. They share knowledge not from just one mind, but of many different fascinating minds.

To get you started on reading please feel free to read my suggestions below:

  • Harry Potter by J K Rowling (I am a bit biased for this)
  • Deception Point by Dan Brown
  • Wessex Tales by Thomas Hardy
  • Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott
  • Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
  • All books writer by Ruskin Bond
  • Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl
  • Mrs Funnybones by Twinkle Khanna
  • The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
  • Malgudi Days by R K Narayan
  • Baaz by Anuja Chauhan
  • Airframe by Michael Crichton

Happy reading. ☺

    Shilpa Shree
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