Of an old habit and colorful carpets

I am extremely glad that after a fortnight or so of utter and absolute listlessness, I managed to take something bearing a distinct semblance to a constructive step – I rekindled my romance with literature. For those who knew the Vivek from a couple of year’s ago, the fact that I was a voracious reader shouldn’t really come as a surprise. But, due to a variety of reasons I’ll now try and dissect, the habit just sort of faded away. Sure, there were occasional books, but to be honest, they were far and few in between.

I could take the coward’s way out and say I was busy. Although there is a certain degree of truth that can be attached to that statement, it still isn’t a proper excuse for not picking up books. Yes, I had a library at school, but I remember losing my library card, finding my library card, skiving off the library periods to things much more important (in my opinion) – though not necessarily in that order.

I was never really a huge fan of buying books after a point. Gifting them? Sure, why not, especially when a friend asks for a specific book, I’m more than happy to oblige, but buying one for myself? I’d rather not. You see, buying a book has limited utility. Once you’re done relishing the piece of literature, it becomes something that takes up shelf space. You may occasionally lend it to a friend, or choose to re-read it – but even that doesn’t happen often enough. Besides, for someone like me, who’s going to be moving out in approximately 3 months time, buying a cartload of books simply poses a logistical inconvenience for me and my parents (at a later date). Oh and books tend to cost a fortune if you’re buying original prints from nice bookstores.

Yes, I did mooch of friends, and yes, I did enjoy some good reads, but as I’ve mentioned before, I was a bit too preoccupied / couldn’t be bothered (still can’t decide which) to regularly borrow/mooch/steal books to keep my old habit running.

Till now, that is…

Aye, I’ve got myself a British Council Library membership. The standard Gold membership which costs Rs. 1,600, which lets me borrow 3 books and 3 periodicals at a time. Although I’ll be using it for just 3 months, I’ve already thought of gifting it to a friend once I’m gone, by way of a parting / birthday gift or something. I talked to the librarian at the desk and she said that although not technically transferable, anyone in possession of my card could issue books in my name without any complications. I sincerely hope that that statement holds true.

I got the opportunity because I had to go to Kasturba Gandhi Marg with Dad (he had work at HDFC). I had decided a couple of days back that I needed a membership, and this was a perfect opportunity for me to realize that goal. A form, an ID proof and after the exchange of some mohneyz, I was admitted into the place with the colorful carpets, little coffee canteen and shelves and shelves of books.

Now, BCL isn’t really the largest library, by any stretch of imagination, but hopefully it should keep me occupied for the next few months. I issued 2 books : A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Both of these were actually bought after I received recommendations from a bunch of friends. So far, I’ve finished the first book, and hopefully a short review should be up soon.

I was earlier aiming for a-book-a-week minimum, but seeing that I’ve already finished off a 350+ page book in under 24 hours, I think I’ll have to revise that estimate. Oh, and it’s good to be catching up on my reading. I missed it terribly.