There is so much joy that I find in reading and writing. A habit inculcated in me by my mother. And just to be clear, I was not a studious kind of a kid. I would find science or math’s books rather dull… It was history, english, hindi, budhcharitramanas that excited me as a kid.
When I was in 8th grade, my mother got few novels from somewhere and told me to read them in my free time, if possible.
The first one I read was a fantasy-fiction-thriller novel If Tomorrow Comes based on Sydney Sheldon’s adaption followed by Chayankya Neeti, Kafka on the Shore, Men without Women, Norwegian Woods, What I talk about when I talk about running, Two States, Vagina Monologues, and so on…
Art and literature was my happy place. All these books served as a great starting point until I reached college.
Chemistry, Maths, and Physics was my major subjects in school but I was more drawn towards literary work. Around the end of my college, I started reading more autobiographies and self-help books. I instantly felt a more deeper connection to this genre. For example, I read Herman Hesse’s book Siddhartha almost 10 years ago and still I think of it. Such a remarkable work! To this day, the core message of this book consoles me deeply.
I was never sure what I want to do in life career wise but one thought came to me naturally that one day I will write a book. I had said it in multiple interviews too that my goal in life is to write a book. If I ask the same question again to myself today, I have some answers but I will still say, I want to write a book.
I want to keep this post short and simple. To all my readers, I just want to say reading can be a very relaxing exercise. It will give you views and you can reach the minds of many people across continents by reading their work. When you read different works, you challenge yourself with their thoughts and trust me there is no harm in doing so, you will end up learning something either about the world or yourself.
Create a mini library in your home, visit different book stores, set a goal for yourself. When boredom hits you, pick a paperback instead of sleeping or procrastinating.
Try experimenting and exploring. The world is full of books!
I hope you find some joy while reading this.
-Kritika
Kritika Verma 