I don’t exactly know when my love affair with books and reading began. Since childhood, I have been hooked to the magical worlds the books created in my head.
During the earlier growing up years, we never bought books (fiction books, I mean) and borrowing them from libraries was the only option. May be buying books was not in vogue then or they were simply unaffordable. And did I devour the books from the libraries at the school, college and club house in our colony?
I remember, the first book that I bought from a book stall at Kota railway station. That was the year 1988. I was leaving for a trip to Mumbai with family and friends and instead of buying the regular comic books, I opted for a novel. It was Sidney Sheldon’s Master of the Game. I still have this book with me.
And since then, there’s no looking back. I have more than 500 books in my library cupboard and I heart them to bits. This 6 feet tall cupboard with 12 shelves is packed with books. There is absolutely no space to add more books and I am seriously looking for a new cupboard to find a new home for my new companions.
That’s the Then and Now (2013 and 2016) state of my Library Cupboard
My relationship with books has undergone a lot of changes over the years. When e-books made their entry in our book world, I stuck to my old love, the physical books. Yes, I believed that there is something beautiful about owning a physical book, holding it in your hands, feeling the paper in between your fingers while turning the pages…
But then, I had to read and review a book of a fellow blogger friend and e-book version of it was sent to me. Grudgingly, I downloaded the Kindle app on my phone and read Siren Spells Danger. I simply loved the experience and I got hooked to the e-reader. Later, I won Kindle in a contest and my joy knew no bounds. I have more than 150 books in my Kindle and buying e-books on Amazon is my favourite pass time.
And recently, I came across Audible, an Amazon company which is producer and retailer of 
audio books. I am currently listening to Ellen DeGeneres in her book Seriously…I’m Kidding and I am loving it!
Earlier, I would read one book at a time. But today, I read 5-6 books at different points of time in a day. I read physical books and Kindle books anytime, audio book when I am doing my evening walk, Kindle app on my phone when I am on the go and reading in bed at night.
A few days ago, I had a free day in between the workshops. I read from 7 in the morning till late evening with venturing out of my room at the hotel only for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Aah! What a blissful day it was. Doing nothing and just reading and reading… I wish, I have more such days!!
I am fiercely possessive about my books and lend only when I have drilled sufficiently my T&Cs of lending books into the borrower’s head. They are my prized possessions, my cherished objects.
Do you read as many books as you’d like to? What is your Cherished Object?
Are you participating in the #CherishedBlogfest?
28 Responses
Ah books, what would we do without them?
I remember reading all of Sheldon’s books back to back. I have a huge collection of books too, but half of them I’ve left behind at my mother’s place. No place in my current shelf.
I’ve donated a lot of my old books to orphanages thanks to the lack of space, but those important to me have stayed.
I need a bigger book shelf too!
Heheh.. that sounds like me. In college, I was the only one in my group who had a library card and would borrow books every week. Life would be terrible without my books – the paperbacks, the e-books and the audio books.
Wow! That’s a good library you have, Shilpa!!….I lent and lost many of my books, i still lend but now ask them to return the books. I borrow from friends too.
The first few paragraphs resonated with me.I was a voracious reader once upon a time, reading everywhere and every book i could lay my hands on. I still read….but more on a flickering screen. I want to get back to reading physical books but don’t know when it will happen ….drawn into the whirlpool of e-reading.
Oh my god! I am looking at that cupboard and going green with envy! What an absolute treasure you have. I remember buying Jeffrey Archer’s short stories on a railway platform in 2001 on my trip to Mumbai and it kept me happy for such a long part of the journey. Ah books will be my first love. Always! So glad to read this, Shilpa 🙂
I have a bookcase that looks just like your cupboard and it is filled with books. It’s only of late that l have started giving my books. Some of them are in tatters. I can totally understand why they are so cherished for you. The same for me.
We’re all lovers of books 😀 and yes I too do not like e books, I still haven’t been able to read any one completely yet in my mobile. The feel of paperbacks is quite different and e books can never replace that! 🙂
I enjoyed your story, and I really agree about keeping books as cherished possessions. I have so many books, some of which I know I’ll never read again, but still I can’t bear to get rid of them!
WoW 6 books at one time, Shilpa. That’s super impressive. As a journo, I remember sitting in hotels during the whole day for conferences and reading on Kindle. It’s something that I do in the bus but feels nothing beats printed materials. But, Kindle experience is a good one.
I love books and your story is so familiar, cherished they are indeed. I also have a cherished box full!! Not much space in the current home and a few dozen at my mom’s place. Yeah! Life is full of books. 😀
Loved your library. Your ideal reading, blissful day is just like mine 😉
I know exactly what you mean about how a full day of uninterrupted reading can be so blissful. One of the things I miss about not having a house anymore is bookshelves crammed full of books. I have a Kindle, but it’s not quite the same as the old fashioned paper kind of books.
Ah, very nice. As a confirmed bibliophile who owns hundreds of volumes, I heartily approve! I’ve read through more than a dozen CBF16 posts at this point, and this is the first one other than my own to feature a book. Good post!
A library cupboard — I love it!
What a wonderfully packed book cupboard. Like you I thought I would always prefer the physical book, but the Kindle versions are so tempting especially when they keep sending suggestions for new books.
What would we do without books? I always borrowed Papa’s when I was growing up so I had books at home to read and find more. He still has over 10,000 books and a big personal library. When I stepped out of home, I started buying my own but changing cities, colleges – I could never save them, Today I don’t have space so under a table they are stacked. As much as I feel bad about keeping them like this, they are still mine 🙂
Loved your post!
Loved reading this post shilpa, as I too love books and I do have my own collection and some books I have lost while lending; so now I am careful. I developed reading from college days and continued for a long time; this year I made a decision to read a few new books and I bought 3 books and completed reading; as I travelled at the airport I picked up a book for reading. you are very inspiring shilpa and hats off to you 🙂 reading so many books. I did not know about this fest.. sounds interesting. one day is gone so wondering whether I can join…. thinking
You library!!!! <3 <3 it's made of dreams <3
I haven't tried audio books yet but probably will do it soon. I still read paperbacks on trains, the only time I get to read.
I always wanted to have a library in my home, but at the moment I don’t have it. I will probably try to incorporate one later on. I was a reader once, but the kind of work I do (professional content writer) does not give me enough time to read for pleasure. I’m usually reading & researching on topics that I have to write for money so at the end of the day I read a lot, but not for myself. I often find myself lost in the sea of books at Crosswords like a kid lost in a crowded Kumbh Mela event. I love collecting books and maybe someday I will have my own collection which I will proudly showcase to the world. As a co-host, I thank you for being the part of the Cherished Blogfest and I hope you’re having a great time meeting new and existing blog friends.
Books top my cherished list too. I left all of them at my mum’said place as I moved to London…now creating a whole new library here! 🙂
I love physical books. I have tried reading on kindle app but it did not work for me. I am going to try Audible. Audio books come in handy when one is walking or travelling. I know I am going to love it. I also don’t like to lend my books. And if I have lent or given away my books to anybody, it means those anybodies have meant much more than all the somebodies.
I myself am a unabashed book hoarder and have always been devoted to print versions of books over e-books. I found that I read non-fiction in the e-book format more, making my fiction “fun” reads sort of an indulgent experience. Though, nothing makes me happier than walking into a bookstore. I had to laugh about your possessiveness with your books– I’m the same way, to the point I actually stamp them with my name (I do this also to keep track of the books I’ve read versus the books I haven’t). I’m going to have to down-size too, and my number one, without a doubt challenge, is going to be deciding which books will accompany me when I move. Thanks for sharing!
I can relate to so much in your post. Thanks so much for posting it. In fact, my post for Cherish Blogfest last year (2015) was on my bookshelves. I even need them in my bedroom to make it feel like home! Like you, I prefer physical books, but have ventured into Kindle, Kobo and iBooks. As I drive around a lot in my work, Audible has been fabulous for me.
That book Master of the Game is a fine thriller. Kept me awake the whole night. But then Sydney used to keep awake with almost all his books. Just couldn’t put down.
The love for books is probably the only love that ever increases. It an undying love.
Thank you for participating in the Cherished Blogfest 2016.
I totally get that. I owned as many books before we moved to Costa Rica, at which time I parted with all but very treasured volumes. I love to be reading very diverse subjects at the same time, to keep my mind stimulated. So happy you joined the blogfest and nice to meet you! Cheryl
What a voracious reader you are! That’s amazing. Though I’ll read ebooks if I really have to, I prefer an actual book I can smell and feel – there’s nothing quite like the scent of a new book. I’m currently squeezing in a new bookcase in a hallway to the dismay of everyone else…
I love your bookshelf. I’d love to come and browse. Books really are the most cherished possessions.
Ah, I know this feeling, this love affair with books all too well, and I have a bookshelf that is also all too full. It’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
There are never enough books, and never enough time to read them! Luckily for me, I married an English teacher who shares my love of books and reading. 🙂 I think the first book I bought for myself was an “encyclopedic dictionary,” which I still have and still use! 😀
Love your bookshelf! My house is overrun with books, but I used to read a lot more than I do now. Blame it on the computer! 🙂 Ebooks are handy for travelling and reading late at night, but nothing can beat the feel and scent of the real thing.