It is said a home becomes a home only if it displays pleasingly and imaginatively, if not a library, at least a few shelves of books. Books not just add quality and character to your dwelling but they also speak volumes about your personality. For there is no furniture as charming as books- whether you open and read them is another matter. Yet the sight of books is always inspiring and stimulating. Children raised among books not just do well academically but the world of books throws open wide avenues to pursue their dream. A library also has a soothing effect says those who have one at home.
Personal libraries
Anoop Karimbil, a bibliophile who has a full fledged library at home says, “I am passionate about my books and take good care of them. In fact I cover all my books with transparent polythene sheets – I like that shiny ‘new' look and it indeed protects the book. I also enjoy dusting and rearranging them. I lend books only to close friends or someone I know who will really enjoy and appreciate the book I am parting with. Of course, I expect the book back in the same condition but more than that it is the feedback about the book I look forward to.”
Chitra Sourindhran another ardent reader who feels that a good book is a better option than T.V soap dramas enjoys browsing in her library. “We were taught to treat books with respect so others too could enjoy them. This advice has stayed with me for my friends always comment that when I lend them my books, they always looked new. I have glass fronts for my bookshelves and I have arranged them author/ genre wise. I am not sure if I would say that I am possessive about my books because I am happy to lend them to others to read-but having said that, I do get annoyed if my books are not returned (God forbid!) or if they are returned in a bad condition. I think it shows lack of respect for the books if they don't handle them with care and it is also an indication of their general attitude to someone else's property.”
And to Ragini Menon who also has a library at home, books form a precious part of her life. For apart from the joy of reading books also are a deep emotional link to her late husband- Manjoo Menon a voracious reader who advocated and inculcated the pleasure of reading to all who crossed his path. She says, “books have been a part of my life since I got married as I got the habit of reading from my husband. Like my husband I love to spend time amidst our books. Dusting and rearranging books is a relaxing past time. I lend books but expect them to be returned. A true book lover always returns borrowed books with due care.”
An enduring and lasting passion, reading has stood the test of time and emerged victorious against the onslaught of the digital world and the media. Book lovers whose sudden infatuation with the T.V and computer led them astray have returned like prodigal sons to snuggle amid the familiar and comforting depths and pages of books. They swear that nothing gives them the pure and undiluted joy found in books. So what is it that makes books and reading a source of eternal pleasure? How do the books we love affect our reasoning and judgement? What kind of paths of escape do they offer?
Says Anoop Karimbil, “every book you read influences you, sometimes even subconsciously. Apart from this reading hones your skills, improves your judgment when you assimilate yourself into views and ideas of characters or the author. The first feeling on finishing a good book is a sense of contentment or nourishment of the soul. Other aspects like knowledge, information and sometimes even minor enlightenment are more of a bonus. However, there are books that have deeply affected me at various stages in my life. Certain books like Crime and Punishment left me in a moral dilemma initially and then to a better understanding.”
Chitra Sourindhran who also feels that books affect our judgement consciously or subconsciously adds that reading improves not just one's vocabulary but also writing skills for all good writers are good readers too. She says, Once I complete a good book, I ponder on what I have gained from it I feel books have a life and character of their own”.
Constant companions
To Ragini Menon too apart from the joy derived books also are her constant companions that she can always fall back to unlike other relationships that have a time span. She says, “now that my son is independent and away and my husband has left me I have less responsibilities and more time on hand. And it is now I find I can turn back to books with a renewed interest and joy.”
Books thus are not just mere objects. They are said to be men of high prominence and standing if only they could speak. They are our life-long friends and companions. For it is said people die but books never do.
