My reading Experiences

I don’t remember when I made Reading a part of my Lifestyle. I have faint recollections of reading a weekly magazine called Gokulam.”The Undir Story” was my favorite. The story was about a rat family who lived beneath a Banyan tree. At that time it was fascinating for me to know that rats could live a life like human beings. It used to trigger my imagination in a lot of ways. I used to read the entire magazine, all the poems and articles. But poems used to bore me that time. I was more fascinated by story telling. I used to write small stories in my diary that time.I was some six years old that time.

I cant forget a book called “ My Giant fairy tale book” my dad got for me. I had the book for a long time. I loved the stories of Mermaids, Alladin and his wonderful lamp, magic ring and so on. Even now given I am sure I will read that book (If I found out where it is!)I would have read that book at least half a dozen times to make up for my boredom at Dungargarh.Yeah, at that time I was studying my fourth standard in a place called Dungargarh in Rajasthan.It is still one of my favorite places.

In getting me interested in reading I should thank two people in my life and one of them being my father. Seeing me read the same book so many number of times, he got me few Enid Blytons which I thoroughly enjoyed at that age.I remember two books very distinctly,” malory towers” and “treasure Hunt”.I read a lot of Enid Blyton’s.Then my dad got me Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys which I did not enjoy at all .I can faintly remember reading one or two books of those authors.

At about the age of eleven I came across “ Mills and Boons”.Even at this age sometimes I like reading MNB, me being a real hard core romantic.I read quite a few of them then but the monotony in the stories got on my nerves sometimes.

Sidney Sheldon has been one of my most favorite author till date even after reading so many different genres of book . Probably one of the reasons being he makes reading a very light and enjoyable experience. I would relate his books to Indian masala movies .I found myself crying with the heroine and being proud about her when she achieved what she wanted. When I was around twelve I accidently found “Best Laid Plans” in my uncle’s Almirah.(He is also a very big fan of Sheldon) .I am yet to meet someone who has started reading a Sheldon book and stopped it in the middle! .By the time I became sixteen years old, I had finished reading all of Sheldons and till date I have read all his books except “The other side of me”.I heard the book is about how he took up writing as his profession, his true life story.

I would have got stuck with Sheldon and not have read any other author if not for Sarada,my first close friend in college.She introduced me to Archer who I totally adore.I saw in his writings the power to inspire.The two books,”Kane and Abel” and “ The Prodigal Daughter”, I will always treasure in my life.I am yet to read a book which radiates so much of positive energy to the reader. I have almost read all of his books except the prison diary .I am sure he is one among my favorite authors cause he shares my attitude of life.Unlike Sheldon who ends most of his novels tragically,Archer always brings great unexpected twists at the end which are for the better. In his recent novel “False Impression” , the story takes a very good twist at the end and the woman of his novel wins.

I should again thank Sarada and Ayshwarya for letting me know of the existence of an author called “Ayn Rand”..Heights of Philosphy and Deep thinking, I am sure only a woman writer can do! It took me one whole year to read that book. But the everyday experience of it was phenomenal. The Deep emotions of a woman in love with an eccentric architect is the story of “Fountain Head”.I still feel I am not matured enough to read “ Atlas Shrugged”. Still I cant deny the fact that I am an ardent admirer of the style of the woman writer.

People in the meanwhile kept suggesting me books, Robert Ludlum,Erle Stanley Gardener and a lot more. It did not evoke any interest in me. That time I started reading a little of Swami Vivekananda’s writings.I did like it. It was informative in a lot of ways. But the day I spotted “ the Guide “ in my library has been one of the most unforgettable days of my life.R.K.Narayan has been God to me since then.Can someone combine humor and romance? This man has done. His writings are so simple. Just the way he starts his novel with Raju wanting idlis for breakfast.It sounded to me like our carnatic music after listening to all rock music.What else do I say about this man? Undoubtedly he is the best writer I have ever come accross! After that I read” Swami and Friends”,”Bachelor of Arts”,”English Teacher”,”Vendor of Sweets”.All his books are amazing.When you have had a hectic day, you read his books you feel so refreshed.

When I had lost all interest in reading, RKN rekindled them.Then I read Ken Follet,”the third twin”.Ken Follet is definitely a page turner.The third twin was my kind of book.(a typical masala book).I have heard he writes a wide range of topics..

Harry Potter, the whole world celebrates.Somehow I had read half of the first book “ Philosphers Stone”.I did not really like it.But then I started reading from HP2 and I have liked it.The best one was “The Goblet of Fire”.I am yet to read books HP5 and HP6.

After reading RKN books, I have been searching for Indian authors. It was when I came across Chetan Bhagat.No doubts both his books are very interesting , page turners.But I would say he definitely has RKN’s influence.I loved both “Five Point Someone “ and “ one night at the call center.” I have been trying to read lots of Indian authors. But could get hold of Shoba De only.Read her “ socialite evenings”, not a great book but still liked her writing style.

Of late I have been reading a lot of non fiction.Brain power,subconscious mind etc.The latest book I have read has become my favorite.” The Alchemist” is a simple book about the philosophy of life! Life is beautiful if you dare follow your dreams.It is said in a simple way. I just could not stop memorizing certain lines in the book.

“ When you wish for something, the whole world conspires so that your wish comes true”

It is indeed true. When you truly want something you get opportunities to get it.But most of us feel that we will achieve our dreams after we get settled in life.Paulo Coelho says that you need not wait for anything to realize your destiny.

He says we wish for something because that desire is invoked in the soul of the world and it is our responsibility to realize that wish.

And of course even I don’t believe in the worlds greatest lie

“and at some point in our lives we start thinking our life is controlled by fate”