Skip to main content

World Book Day: An Introvert's Perspective on Books as a Refuge


Books and bookshops have always been a part of my life. 

As a child stranded between cultures far too often, it suited me to find refuge in the world of books. I didn't know then that I was an introvert, but it was clear that my escape into the world of books was one of both necessity and protection. 

Books protected me. Back then, children of my age who considered themselves to be ''cool" would never sit next to me if I was reading a book - which is exactly the protection I wanted for myself. I wanted to be left alone.

As a habit since childhood, I carry books with me everywhere. It particularly helps when I travel - I can forget about my tensions and also get rid of strangers who try to open a conversation with me when all I want to do is escape into a book.


Books have been my best companion ever since the early years when I learned to distrust people's intentions - what they said had little to do with what they eventually did - and this continues to baffle me. But thank god, I have a great place to escape and can return from it only when I feel like it - yes, books! 

Even today when we can buy books at the click of a button on Amazon or Flipkart, I avoid it like the plague. I prefer to spend time in my favorite bookshops. Nothing brings me more happiness than the visual delight of seeing books arranged in rows, their blurbs become invitations to the world that I love to peek into before I choose it, with the loving care and attention to detail and almost protective care that one would extend to a marriage proposal before taking it to the next level. I spend hours in bookshops, not just to touch the new books and feel it in my hands, but to also talk to those who are in charge of selecting the books and to customers who walk into a bookstore.

One of the things that continue to pique my curiosity is that a majority of young parents whom I have met at bookshops seem clueless about what books to buy for their kids. Over the years, it has become my second nature to play the book assistant and ask them about their children. 

To my astonishment, I find that most parents don't seem to know what their children like, besides their favorite TV channels and the games they play on the iPad. Some parents I met didn't even know the correct age of their children - and let's remember, I am not talking about rural parents here nor do I intend to judge parents by how little they know about their children - I admit, I am guilty too. If you ask me what apps my son loves to play games on, I would be confused for a second or two. But books, I can tell you about his favorite books in my sleep only because I am passionate about them too. 

And when I look back, I realize that some of my happiest moments in life have been in bookshops, where I managed to discover rare insights through rare treasures (called books!) and brought them home with me. 

You may not even believe this, I met the President of Zambia in a bookshop  and he graciously came over to shake hands with me and we spoke for a few minutes.  It turns out that President Kenneth Kaunda too loved reading and he never lost an opportunity to read the latest books! That was one of my favorite "bookshop" moments, seriously!

My books are my treasures - they are all I have, and I call them ''family".

And today happens to be World Book Day. Are you reading something interesting - tell me about it!

Happy reading!

Comments

Krish said…
That was a really nice piece. I read a lot too. but I was lucky enough to find a few like me who did the same. We still talk about every book we finish. That lasts for hours sometimes.

I stumbled upon this blog a couple days ago (That article about caste!) and I have already added petals to my read list.
Vishnu said…
Books are our refuge. Writing is our temple, Swapna. Thanks for this tribute to reading. Is there a follow up to an introvert's perspective on writing?? Hope you're having a great week.

The new blog design looks great.
@Krish Govardhan - Thanks for sharing your comments. I can connect to what you are saying about talking for hours about books because I do the same thing....the only glitch is that I don't always find people who feel as caught up and emotionally involved in the books that they read as much as I do. But yeah, sometimes I get lucky and my conversation goes on for hours about the books. And last but not the least, I feel so overwhelmed to know that you have added Petals! to your reading list - a big thank you!

@Vishnu: Love the way you have summed it up, I totally agree with you and thanks for the awesome recco - I think that I will contemplate and write one about the introvert's perspective on writing. Btw, I am so glad you noticed the blog design - I always feel change is refreshing and your feedback is the best validation I can possibly get!

Most Popular Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v

Note of Thanks for the Honest Award

Thank you, Baba . I've run out of words to describe my happiness in getting this Award. A big, heart felt thank you to Faiza Ali for encouraging me with this Honest Award. It means so much to me because I'm an ardent admirer of her awesome blog, Faiza Ali's Kitchen. Requirements:- I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it I must list 10 honest things about myself I must put a copy of Honest Scrap logo on my blog I must select atleast 7 other worthy bloggers and list their links I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also. 10 Honest things about me:- 1. I am very proud of being an Indian. 2. I am very thankful and humbled by my parents', their unconditional love, sacrifices and amazing support and the way they brought me up. 3. Good books are my life. 4. I love my Twitter friends. 5. My favorite place is Puttaparthi. 6. I am a shopaholic. 7. I am a 'people person.&#

Saree Woes 2

Our earlier discussion on Saree Woes really perked up my spirits. A big thanks to all of you for pepping me up. Okay, here's the good news. There was an unexpected late night party that I had to attend in Gurgaon. To be honest, I haven't had the time or energy to attend any such parties after Adi was born. I was sure I wouldn't have the confidence to make conversation with the glitterati, let alone feel confident to carry off wearing a saree. This is one of those parties where you have to be dressed very formally. Well, at the end of a working woman's day, you hardly feel ready to attend one of these parties looking like a moron, right? So, with very little preparation and very few hours left, I called on all the gods in Heaven to help me look a little younger and prettier since I don't have the magic to look young all on my own. Although I was tempted to wear one of my awesome Kancheevaram treasures, I knew it would be very difficult to drape it without any h

Sorry Tales of Housework

While growing up, I shirked house work because I knew Mummy would do it. The only hard work I did is to eat whatever she made. Mummy would wake up early in the morning, bathe, do the pooja, make breakfast and lunch and then of course, my task was to eat it away as if nothing else matters.  Of course, she would ask me to help her out and learn some basics but do you think I listened? Not seriously, I simply didn't. I used to tell her not to worry so much. I always felt there would be a magical Alladin's Lamp that would manifest and take care of everything when it was my turn to take care of a home. Her wise words "Start early, or else later you will find it difficult to manage simple chores in your home" always fell on my deaf and dumb ears. Those were the years I wish I could turn back time.... (sigh, dreaming, dreaming!) In case you are wondering why the sigh, read this post .  Marriage, Introspection and the Pressure Cooker Suddenly, I found