"You like books na?" said my friend. Yes,we were discussing books.
"Mom doesn't like books; she loves them," stated my daughter with pride.
And, I secretly wished that the ground could swallow me. Yet, I managed to smile a stupid smile. I was ashamed and guilty.
There was a time when I devoured books as if I have been starving for them all my life...as if I was born to read them and I am sure most of the book lovers feel the same. They were my only outlet to my flights of fancy and fantasy...this was a hunger which knew no satiation.
For more than a year now I have been very laid back...blogging took precedence and so did the chats/commenting on our forum Indiblogeshwaris.
“Take on a challenge. Adopt a good habit. Get rid of a bad one. Change something. Write one new chapter. Read a new book. Listen to a new song. Anything, almost anything singular that you’ve been putting off for too long. You have a month to do it."
This is what our team leader came up with - the theme of 'THE ELUSIVE ONE'...as our first year anniversary post...And, I jumped right in to take up this challenge like many others of our group.
When my kids lament that they do not have enough time to concentrate on various activities, I always lecture them on time management. And, here I was wasting away my time. Some how the laziness seemed so comforting. Last year I must have read 10 to 12 books in totality. Pathetic! I would have been glad if I had some thing else to show off for the time spent...but, no I just squandered it.
So, this May even when I was technically on vacation; even when I had to get up early in the morning to fill up the buckets, steel drums and 'lotas' with water every alternate day in Bengaluru while facing acute water shortage; even when I had to make my holiday look like a holiday; even when I had to keep my otherwise bored kids occupied...I made some time to read...almost every day!
And by June I managed to read 3 books! That's like slowly getting back into the groove.
If not for this 'push' I would still be languishing in my laziness zone, lecturing my kids about time management.
For - Indiblogeshwaris
Great going. What kind of books do you like to read?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ritu...almost all genres...except historical, sci-fi and fantasy like Harry potter or Twilight series.
DeleteVery sound advice Janaki :). "Laziness is exactly like the number 8...". A great metaphor to remember.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Ron
Thanks Ron.
DeleteCongrats... :D
ReplyDeleteThank Dagny.
DeleteLovely!! That reminds me of my stick of unread books..!! (Push push).. Which books did you read? Any reviews?
ReplyDeleteOh! I read - Manuscript found in Accra by Paulo coelho. Nice book but, I feel some deeper meaning gets lost in translation.
DeleteThen I read Every Seventh Wave by Daniel Glattauer..this is the sequel to his Love Virtually. Both are wonderful. And then I read an old one...confessions of a Shopoholic.
Recommend all.
stock i mean :P Typooooooooooo!! *runs away*
ReplyDeleteSuper cool! Now that is something wonderful you did. I have to catch up on some reading myself.
ReplyDeleteHope you will...thanks Rachna.
DeleteGreat!!
ReplyDeletereading extends the boundary of our thoughts and imagination :)
Yes, it does...thanks Simi.
Deleteha. cool quote...and i feel you ...i have gotten out of the habit of reading as much as i did...i need to get back to it...now that i am on break from school, think i will make that happen...
ReplyDeleteYou must Brian.
DeleteI've been squeezing a lot of reading time into my schedule these past couple of days. I haven't been reading books for such a loong time and I felt like my brain was getting dry haha Good to know that you've been reading more lately, too, Janaki! :-)
ReplyDeleteI cant do without books ! I usually try to read on the way to work :P
ReplyDeleteGlad you got back into the reading habit and so glad I connected with you at IB :)
Wow wow wow.... reading is always fun and just like Ruchira I also cannot do without my daily dose of reading!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have met you Janu... its a pleasure knowing you as always <3
ooh nice Janaki!!
ReplyDeleteWhich 3 books did you read?
and yes, Indiblogeshwaris rock!
Oh, reading books is something we can't do without na? But it happens sometimes when you some other thing tops your priority. But book lovers take out some time for their love anyhow:)
ReplyDeleteWhich three books did you read?
And I so liked the quotation above!! Never thought like this before:)
Glad you could connect with books again Janu :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great Janu as it is very difficult to come out of our comfort zones.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Keep it up.
Let us know about the books you read.
I actually devoured a book today. I kick myself for not doing more book reading as my time seems to be absorbed by reading and writing blogs. Think I need to set aside a certain amount of time every day just for reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this inspiration, Janu!
Good one
ReplyDeleteM a slow reader actually and laziness is not the only reason
Anyway good luck with more n more books
I can relate to the feeling... when I am not reading, I feel guilty... as if I am committing a crime. Good that you are back to books.
ReplyDeleteThe April and May challenge slowed down my pace of reading but, I guess, I am back on track too!
Happy reading :)
Wow! Thats wonderful! Hope it drives you to read more and more and more :)
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed wonderful, and it would be even better if you could share with us, books you read. I'm always on the lookout for new books to pick up.
ReplyDeletegood for you, Janu!
ReplyDeleteI understand these lapses in reading but I do manage to read 'something' everyday not exactly a book but useful articles... 'm concentrating on one book at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou're hopping back to your habit and that's good to hear ;)
Good going... read read read... :)
ReplyDelete