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HOW I BECAME A READER

When I think back on how I became happily addicted to books and reading, I inevitably focus on three things: my mother, my first buy, and then came “the church of books”: my school’s library.

Mother

The whole credit of my reading habit (which turned out to be an enormous habit), or the gateway to the heaven of books was unlocked by my beautiful mother when I was a kid. I remember when she used to read to me from time to time and when I grew up, she would sit beside me and make me read and understand a lot of things. I can imagine that purely but titles we read together are vague in my memory. Somewhere I read recently that what we are taught in childhood which when becomes a habit, we don’t think twice before performing that action again. And yes, I would say I am always indebted to my mother for making me explore the world through words. Thanks Mom.

My First Buy

The next was when I bought my first book, Ghosts Don’t Eat Potato Chips by Debbie Dadey & Marcia Thornton Jones. I remember I was beaming for weeks whenever I looked at the cover, and the white pages (which now have turned yellow when I last saw it, and yes I still have it somewhere) holding it in my hands, and taking it wherever I went. I was in third standard and I don’t remember reading it wholly. But that book has been a motivation factor in my school days to buy more books.

The Church of Books: the School’s Library

I was never very popular in school, and I was an admittedly easy target for teasing (I didn’t have a very robust vocabulary of curse words, I was small and skinny, and naive). Suffice it to say, I didn’t like many of my classmates. When those kids would roam and run, and chatter and make fun, all day, I would sit in the library and read books. The place was heavenly. All started with a compulsory library class scheduled in between other classes twice a week. But then, thanks to those two lovely librarians, I was allowed to come and sit and read whenever and whatever I like. The combination of auburn colored wooden tables and the plastic chairs, all the sections divided alphabetically, the stale smell of yellow pages, and the dust covered hard bounded books which were not even moved from their positions in a decade. I read them. They were my classmates and taught me about love, relationships, marriage, artistic creation, despair, work, racism, sexism, injustice, freedom, and commitment. I could sit there experience what the books describer and I could travel and see so many beautiful things. Books were my refuge, my comfort, and my teachers.

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Pamela Beckford says: March 16, 2014 at 12:40 AM Moms are typically our first teachers and can instill a love of reading in us. Your journey to loving to read sounds very similar to mine. As a kid, I would much rather have my nose in a book than anything else. Today it isn't any different. I haven't watched television in years because it seems like such a waste of time - time that could be spent reading.
susanddhavle says: March 16, 2014 at 8:11 AM Readers are specially lucky to never feel lonely...they find such companionship in books and their characters and situations and feel lively and full of interest in all things through the eyes of a good writer, and they look at the world with more interest too. Good for you.
breannat1898 says: March 16, 2014 at 10:15 AM The first book I remember really loving was the series of unfortunate events. It was a great series but I never finished it because I slowly outgrew it
edgarone2 says: March 17, 2014 at 4:33 AM My reading started also through class book assignment. Since then I always carry a book with me, to hold and to read, especially when waiting for train, buses, elevators, in waiting rooms. I frequent libraries.
Amy Pirt says: March 20, 2014 at 5:48 PM Great idea for a post. I am so glad my parents instilled the love of reading into me, and I try to do the same for my son by reading to him every day and taking him to the library.

Moms are typically our first teachers and can instill a love of reading in us. Your journey to loving to read sounds very similar to mine. As a kid, I would much rather have my nose in a book than anything else. Today it isn't any different. I haven't watched television in years because it seems like such a waste of time - time that could be spent reading.

Aman says: March 16, 2014 at 12:45 AM I can understand your situation, whenever I am not reading, there would be numerous butterflies in my stomach, and I would know, "this is not right. I should read, now". Television is a total distraction and mind buster! I don't have television in my hostel room and I am thankful to that :)

I can understand your situation, whenever I am not reading, there would be numerous butterflies in my stomach, and I would know, "this is not right. I should read, now". Television is a total distraction and mind buster! I don't have television in my hostel room and I am thankful to that :)

Readers are specially lucky to never feel lonely...they find such companionship in books and their characters and situations and feel lively and full of interest in all things through the eyes of a good writer, and they look at the world with more interest too. Good for you.

Aman says: March 16, 2014 at 12:09 PM Thanks for reading the post and I appreciate your lovely comment! Yes, that is the best thing a reader has got! :)

Thanks for reading the post and I appreciate your lovely comment! Yes, that is the best thing a reader has got! :)

The first book I remember really loving was the series of unfortunate events. It was a great series but I never finished it because I slowly outgrew it

Aman says: March 16, 2014 at 12:11 PM We always remember the first book we read for the reason that the feeling of something accomplished would be there :)

We always remember the first book we read for the reason that the feeling of something accomplished would be there :)

My reading started also through class book assignment. Since then I always carry a book with me, to hold and to read, especially when waiting for train, buses, elevators, in waiting rooms.
I frequent libraries.

Aman says: March 17, 2014 at 11:41 AM I appreciate that you read the post! I feel books are the best companions no matter where ever we go :)

I appreciate that you read the post! I feel books are the best companions no matter where ever we go :)

Great idea for a post. I am so glad my parents instilled the love of reading into me, and I try to do the same for my son by reading to him every day and taking him to the library.

Aman says: March 20, 2014 at 5:51 PM Thanks for reading the post :) Most people have some influences over their reading habits and I just shared mine!

Thanks for reading the post :) Most people have some influences over their reading habits and I just shared mine!

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