Indian Readers discussion
READING PROGRESS 2016
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Reading and Reminescing. Reading Log of Syl and her Alteregos AND her Offspring
message 351:
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Rebecca
(new)
Jun 15, 2016 05:14AM
Syl You do inspire people. And I find myself in the same pot- Somany books So little time. I would love to be a part of the Whatsapp readers group if ever you plan on one.
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Syl You do inspire people. And I find myself in the same pot- So many books So little time. I would love to be a part of the Whatsapp readers group if ever you plan on one.
Mod
Syl, count me in for a whatsapp group..You reminded me of my childhood too. :)
*what is this wa group, i am Some exclusive thing is it?!
Mod
Mod
Mod
Hehehe maya is too tame a name for.me :PDo let me know the whereabouts of this group...
Mod
Er, reminding you of Never Let me go from this weekend :p
Mod
Surely count me in for this :)
I was jealous that you have such amazing contacts to discuss books with on wa :D
Gorab wrote: "Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Sure... we 3, and I don't think Gorab would be averse too. let me wait for his reply. :-)"Surely count me in for this :)
I was jealous that you have such ama..."
Right Gorab. I also have very very few friends who read. None among the folks I have daily contact with.
I am thoroughly enjoying with you guys here though.
ditto! :)(unfortunately, some with whom i have daily contact with are the pretentious ones)
Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "Apocalyptical - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Best selling novel - All the Light We Cannot See
Cat on the cover -
Diary - [bo..."
This challenge looks great and I'm taking it! Looks like I'm already done with 13 of the 26 :)
Mod
Mod
Apocalyptical - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Best selling novel - All the Light We Cannot See
Cat on the cover - [bookcover..."
sure, Akanksha. Then I can steal books from your respective shelves. :P
:) your reading log is really inspiring!
Mod
It's so good to be around people who read...a rewarding experience.
Mod
I was 10 or so. My family used to visit my father's cousin who lived quite near us. I used to love it there as they had quite a good collection of books which were accessible to a10 year old.
That evening, adults were having tea and snacks downstairs, and me as usual went up to scrimmage their bookshelf.
A lurid cover caught my attention. It was a 'detective story' in Malayalam with a shadow man holding a shadow gun at a shadow woman's temple, and had a disgustingly attractive name, The cover was yellow, with red shadows in a white circle. I was so drawn to the book, and I was sure if I read it there, the adults may not allow me to.
Then the idea of stealing it (of course, I thought I would replace it in some ingenious way later) germinated in my mind. I took the book, and placed it inside my dress. Thankfully (or not), the frock I wore had an elastic at midriff and the relatively thin book snugly fit. An hour passed. I tried to avoid attention as well as conversation. Time to leave.... I stood up and my aunt came to hug me, and suddenly said "ouch".
The spine of the book had dug into her. Then my mom and aunt caught hold of me, and pulled out the book... an astounding silence, laughter on the host family part, abject shame on the guest family part.
But finally, my dad said, if you want to read it, you are welcome to, provided you apologize and ask properly. Of course, my second cousin lend it to me after some hesitation, as it was not a book that should be read by a 10 year old. I didn't mind. I just immersed myself in the lurid gore of espionage, beautiful females, gunshots and an exciting heartstopping end.
I now assume it was a translation of some English author, possibly James Hadley Chase.
That was my one and only theft. Thankfully it was not successful, and it led to mortal shame that I never attempted another.
I remember the incident vividly (or so I think) even now.
Mod
I know, before GR, I was sort of a sad loner, as there was no one close who shared a love for reading. Used to feel all lonely and alone.
Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "HOW I BECAME A BOOK THIEF:I was 10 or so. My family used to visit my father's cousin who lived quite near us. I used to love it there as they had quite a good collection of books which were access..."
So you started liking thrillers and mysteries.....
:D
Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "HOW I BECAME A BOOK THIEF:I was 10 or so. My family used to visit my father's cousin who lived quite near us. I used to love it there as they had quite a good collection of books which were access..."
Lovely story. :) a hug to your 10 year old self.
wow, nice story Syl. A book thief caught red handed :P how long people teased you about it? :P
lovely story. I remember once having forcibly borrowed a book from a cousin. She wouldn't let go off it, and I would read it at any cost :p We were both pretty young then :)
Mod
Akanksha, I know, right :-)
Mod
Did they allow you afterwards anytime to visit upstairs alone with the bookshelf?
Or the aunt would make sure to "hug" you before leaving everytime :P
Mod
Mod
Yesterday was Readers day. I came to know when my mother called me up today and 'belatedly' wished me.
Today is Father's day. I have never celebrated it in the past (except perhaps past couple of years).
And I fondly remember my parents for all that they did for me.
My mother is not a reader, but she has a very fertile imagination. She used to make up stories and tell those to me in installments during bedtime. And as a special treat on long lazy afternoons, when I was especially feisty or troublesome. Those involved fairies, magicians, princes and princesses, magical happenings, castles, forests, huts, ships and whatnot.. I was spirited away into that mystical world and would really get upset if she stopped. Wish I remembered enough to write those down.
And my mother used to take me to the local bookshops to buy books because dad was busy most of the time. Though she would curb me from spending too much, and limit the number of books. I have had many a tantrum in nearby bookshops during my childhood.
My father introduced me to the local libraries, and protected me from the wrath of the librarian, when as a 6 year old, I tore a page from a book because I liked that particular happening of the story a lot, and wanted to read again. (yes, I was a thug as a child, and it is only with adulthood I am able to appreciate the difference between what is mine, what is not.. and how to behave in society). My father told me stories about great writers, the books he read, and he was my first bookfriend. In an age devoid of the power of www and communication media, he was my window to the magical world of books and authors. I got acquainted with many through him- Christie, Woodhouse, Narayan, Arthur Conan Doyle, D H Lawrence, to name a few. He never curbed my spending on books. I used to pester him to take me to libraries and bookstores, which he happily did. And till the onset of online stores, I used to get no discount on books, or at the most, 10% from Pai & Co, as I was a faithful member.
My dad taught me that there is no taboo, if one is capable enough to understand and appreciate minds and happenings.
He suggested to me Lady Chatterleys Lover and Lolita , which made my mother very angry. But unfortunately, I read Chatterley at a very young age and was disgusted . Lolita, I had the sense to read later, and appreciate it for the beauty of the prose despite an ugly protagonist/antihero.
When I was caught reading Exorcist at 13 and Dracula (unabridged) at 12, my father stood by me.
He was the one who used to diligently subscribe to Readers digest, and didnot bat an eyelid at my Womens Era phase or when I started reading trashy malayalam weeklies containing sugary romantic stories at an impressionable age.
He used to hunt out acquaintances who had books at home, and borrow books from them for me to read.
He too loved reading, but being a busy practitioner, and having too many responsibilities, he had to sacrifice his love of reading for completing mundane tasks.
For postgraduation, I was keen on Pediatrics (wanted to follow his footsteps), but he discouraged me saying that I would not be happy if I cant read.
Even now, he sometimes calls me up and suggests books which he read about in the Hindu Literary Section.
So here I am, thanks to my wonderful parents, a hardcore book addict.
Ode to my husband will be written on Husband's day - I am sure there is one... :P... and ode to my son on children's day - as I am blessed with people who have stood by me despite my extreme bibliophilia (or on second thoughts, they must be sure that I cannot be deaddicted)
Mod
and to you too for following his footsteps and allowing all that for your kid :)
Mod
But my kid is not a hardcore bibliophile. And I wont force books on him, as I know it would be a sure way to kill whatever liking is left in him. :)
So nice to read about your parents... You are very lucky... :)
How wonderfully put! I get my love for reading from my father as well, when i was in school i would make him read what i was reading :P that included the nancy drews and christies :) he is the one who introduced me to perry mason, earl stanley gardner, ludlum, nevil shute and alister mclean. After my 10th std exams he urged me to read godfather and yes a few harold robbins too :P
These days iv given my tab to him loaded with all the thrillers ans mysteries he prefers. And force him to read all my food culture/travel books :) he is reading the meluha trilogy these days, wch i dnf-ed :D
Sorry Smitha, for spamming your space. Your post made me reminiscent of my younger reading days.
Mod
Am like Marple, love delving into other people's lives.
Bye for now... a long shopping trip ahead. :/
Enlivening write up Syl. You indeed had a precious childhood...Appreciate the assiduity in all your posts.
What a great blessing to have such parents!Always lovely to read your diary :D
Mod
Mod
So I am enumerating the ways my husband has fostered and ontinues to foster my reading habit
1. The first thing he did after marriage was gift me his credit card and encourage me to do online book shopping - my first attempt. I spend 10000 on PGW books from fabmall... there was no discount at all... :/ And to this day I do not know whether he was shocked to see the bill. He has never told me and I dare not ask
2. After wedding, we were supposed to go to Nepal via Bangalore, and at every station and kiosk, he asked me whether I wanted a book
3. He tolerated me immersing myself into books through out the long journeys. I had taken care not to read PGW or AC (as my mother had warned me not to - coz I laugh out hysterically , and make faces when I read intesting things)
4. In Nepal, he worked at a local hospital whereas I was ensconed in the room, reading at a stretch - it was the best vacation ever
5. He always updates me on news about E Readers , Reading devices, Book sales, etc.
6. He has gifted me 3 E Readers so far.
7. He has built me huge shelves (twice in this 17 year period) when my books overflew the shelves.
8. He urged me to buy Kindle Oasis, and even offered to buy it for me, but I dont feel like spending that much on a device that is only marginally better than low end ones.
9. He defends me from other relatives when they remark upon the amount I spend on books
10. Though I refrained in the first few days, later I showed him my true nature - giggling into the book, guffawing out loud, reading at a stretch when I am about to complete a thriller, making him bring me food to nibble on while reading when I am too lazy to do so
11He also defends me from our resident terror, who claims that he has developed a sibling rivalry towards my ereaders
12. He is quite used to collecting the various amazon and flipkart packages and handing over to me unopened at least once a week or so
13. While in social functions and meetings, he helps me to read. I will be reading my book and he will nudge me if I am supposed to pay attention or pose for a pic or video
14. Many busybodies have called him up and told him that they saw his wife reading while walking, and he has politely told them to MYOB - though after seeking a promise from me that I will not do rash reading.
15. When relatives come home, and if he feels they are too chatty or something - he says, My wife is unwell, and then comes upstairs, calls me, and tells me that I am unwell, so am free to leave after 15 min of social conversation... to read my books
16. He has read a couple of books at my request...but it seems he didn;t like them much... (at least he was honest)
17. Whatever books he gets as gifts, he makes an offering of those to me (Atlas shrugged, Fountainhead, Da Vinci code, a few kannada books which I can't read, A Ronnie Screw walla book, RK Laxman hardcover comics)
That's all for now.. shall update if I remember more.
Mod
Lucky you Syl. Hope none of your relatives are on GR.;)
Mod
Lucky you Syl. Hope none of your relatives are on GR.;)"
Am 99.9% sure :P
Lovely write-up Syl. Hope you have shown it to your hubby? My very best wishes for you two. You are the loveliest couple.
Mod
Beautiful Syl! Congratulations on completing 17 years and here's to wishing you two many more.
Syl. A.k.a Topo di biblioteca wrote: "I dare not show. I am all matter of fact and hard with husband and son. Sentimental me is only for my eyes (and you folk's) to see... :P"arre, sometimes you should show senti also na?.. :) :)
What a wonderful husband!he has politely told them to MYOB: I need a translation of this abbreviation.
Mod
MYOB - mind your own business
Indrani, I think we both are emotional retards :-P :-P
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