The Confession Of My Addiction

   Disclaimer: Those who are unwilling to accept this flaw of mine, please do not read further. I am not responsible for any distress or disappointment.

“I know it’s highly unusual for people to get this excited over books. But if you’re a reader, you get me. I don’t need movies. I don’t need TV. But books I can’t live without books. To me, a book is better than any movie. All I need is a good book, my imagination, and I am set free. I’m in literature heaven. And thank God, this may be the only thing that keeps me sane while we’re here.” ~ Belle Aurora, Willing Captive

    So here’s the thing… This confession… Of My Addiction.

    I’m a bookaholic.

   *sighs* Yes. I admit it. I, Athira Mohan Krishnan, have been found to be diagnosed with bookaholicism. By myself. 🙂

   Its actually quite a relief to have it out there at last. This not-so-secret addiction of mine is finally out. Interestingly enough, dictionaries across the globe describe this fatal obsession, ‘Bookaholicism’, in very simple terms as “the love for books”. But its more than you see. For me, its the love of books, of writing, of bookshelves (have you seen the variety on pinterest!?) and so much more. You could get me earrings with book charms and I’d automatically become your best friend for life. But don’t get me an actual book unless you know of my taste for genres, I can be quite selective on the books I read.

 I recently went on a visit to Perth and we walked into Elizabeth’s Second Hand Bookshop which was just gorgeous. It was here that I stumbled upon the interesting romance that occurred between a book and an individual, although I regret not having tried it. But what do you think of a blind date with a book? This is where the book is wrapped in brown paper with key words that are written on it about the book itself (as illustrated in the picture below). No cover photo, no blurb, no author – its a blind date with a book! So then its truly what is inside that counts. 🙂 Just as you wouldn’t be able to judge a book by its cover – you shouldn’t judge a person by what they are on the outside.

   Airport bookshops also always tend to grab my attention, and I’m like a magnet to those shops. Shelves that are filled with books have such beauty in my eyes. The choice! And have you seen some of the most beautiful libraries across the globe? My heart literally was in awe. I can just spend an endless amount of time in bookstores and libraries, with the peacefulness of it all as a soothing balm to the soul.

   I’ve enjoyed reading books since I was quite young. But the more commonly known fictional books was most probably brought to my attention by my older brother, after my parents and my aunt as well. I remember having started off with the very famous Enid Blyton mystery series (Secret 7, Famous 5, Mystery series), Nancy Drew and Co, and of course, Harry Potter – because who doesn’t know about the Harry Potter series? *I’m sure some of my friends will purposely comment and say they don’t know just to annoy me*. Nonetheless, since then my collection of books has just grown expansively. I’m sure my Mother wants to throw away so many of them – Heaven forbid! – But thankfully she understands my obsession for them. And I do re-read the good books! Especially when I’m back on vacation, there’s nothing more that do I enjoy than completing a captivating book.

   Also, here’s another thing – I need a physical book to really enjoy the experience of it. Who’s with me on this? The smell of a new book, or even of an old book… The weight of this beautiful piece of art in your hands… Because writing on its own is an art! The feel of the pages as you turn to find out more to the plot – you don’t get that in an E-book. Not that I haven’t read e-books before, I do and I probably will (sadly), however I truly do love the real experience of reading that comes from within the physical feel of a good book.

   In a recent search to find creative ways to store books wherein you don’t have space for them (like back home for me in India), I stumbled upon this article. And now I want to go on a trip to someplace like the listed places where I can Just Read Books. Nothing else. Probably need to eat of course. Like shown below: the sun, the sand, the sound of the water lapping against the shore… Just swinging to the dance and the lines in a good book. What more can be asked for?

This was taken at Norman Carr Cottage – Lake Malawi

   How many of you can relate with anything I’ve said? Please feel free to share and comment your thoughts. What’s your favourite book? Mine is a classic feel-good book called Pictures of Lily by Paige Toon. 🙂 Its quite the romantic one, set in Adelaide, Australia – always one I go back to to re-read!