“This could be the beginning of a wonderful new habit, and you'll thank me for it later,” my friend says as he hands me a Sidney Sheldon novel. As I struggle to grasp the complexity of the language used and let out a sigh, "Just finish reading it and let me know what you think." In no time, I find myself immersed in a completely different world filled with diverse characters, both good and bad. I was transported to a vibrant city.
"I'm going to start reading more books," I affirm. It's something I've always wanted to do, a habit that will take me away from my textbooks. Novels were a new addition to my life, which previously consisted mainly of comics and books on current events. My mother always made sure to buy me at least three or four comics a month, along with a copy of the current affairs. She wanted my English to be not just good, but perfect. According to her, books were the key. During our long train journeys, she would give me books with puzzles. She believed that this practice would help me excel in math, but that was one of the very first things she was wrong about. Nevertheless, I trusted her. She always took pride in showcasing my talent for remembering all the state capitals to every neighbour, friend, and even a stranger.
Books became my obsession from a very young age, but transitioning to novels was challenging, that required someone to discuss with, to understand their perspective and correct my own. However, there were few people in my circle whom I could turn to. Later in life, as my reading habits fluctuated, I met a friend who was looking for a book for a project. It happened to be one of the first Sidney Sheldon novels I owned. I was delighted to share it, and in no time we had a club where we exchanged suggestions ranging from fiction to self-help.
I was initially drawn to biographies because they provided a bird's-eye view of someone's life, regardless of whether it was entirely truthful. They followed a pattern of life's beginnings, ups and downs, plateaus, peaks, and sometimes downfall. I learned from their mistakes and celebrated their successes. I aspired to be wise, and I believe I made wise choices for the most part. I often wonder if books actually shape our identities. I absorbed every idea and welcomed every suggestion. I made a conscious effort to read quality books. If you're an avid reader, you might say there is no such thing as a bad book.
My initial interest in writing emerged spontaneously through composing poems and phrases as a tribute to the people and things I loved. Those phrases eventually evolved into paragraphs of short stories. My notebooks were filled with incomplete paragraphs and nonsensical phrases that captured my attention during moments of idleness. Later, I began writing analogies for instincts that I struggled to articulate effectively.
During the layover at the airport, holding another beautiful book, I here write all of my musings. "You might say it's the book itself that matters, but it's how you engage with a book that holds the true value, rather than any inherent power it may possess." (-MA)
"Writing is a process, a journey into memory and the soul." - Isabel Allende
Whispers Between Pages!