Company of Books

Though I have been steadily reducing my material possessions and trying to live more simply, there is one thing I still keep adding to my life. Books. They remain one of my quiet indulgences.

Whenever I am in Almora or Haldwani, the two towns closest to me, I spend a long time wandering through the few surviving brick and mortar bookshops whenever I can. Yes, we still have a handful of them here. There is an old fashioned joy in browsing. The smell of books sometimes faintly musty sometimes sharp and new is a pleasure only fellow readers know. Even if the books are sometimes priced higher that online stores, I still buy. That’s instant gratification and the fact that I would also paying for the facility of being able to hold the book, get a feel of it, see if the fonts are readable by me. With advancing age and presbyopia setting it, I sometimes struggle with very small fonts.

In fact books have become important enough for me to realise that my favourite holiday is no longer a hill station or a beach visiting monuments or tourist attractions but a visit to the Delhi Book Fair. For me the best part of any holiday is to find a comfortable corner and read for as long as I like. It can be in a faraway beachside destination or a quiet corner at the nearby railway station. If someone brings me simple good food now and then and perhaps a coffee or a juice depending on the weather I feel perfectly content. These are my modest needs.

Books are woven so deeply into my life that whenever I give gifts they are almost always books. I choose them with care thinking of the person who will receive them. At times I suspect I spend far more effort than the occasion demands and far more time than the other person might even notice. But I enjoy the process and that is reason good enough for me. And while purchasing for them, I also sneak in a couple of books for myself.

My wife sometimes scolds me when I leave my books by the bedside. The fortunate thing is that when we go to the book fair she is as excited about buying new books as I am. I do use an e-reader but the printed page still feels more comforting. Someone needs to tell me which one has a greater carbon footprint. Do paper books burden the planet more or does an e-reader use up more energy and resources in its making. A friend once said the e reader is worse. Perhaps it is. In truth I use both. The kindle travels with me because it is light and can hold many books. Some titles are not available in print and the kindle is then the only choice.

All this means that books occupy every space they can find. In bookshelves and almirahs in old cartons by the side of the bed and even under it. Some lie on tables and a couple have even found their way into the greenhouse. Neighbours borrow them and I do not mind as long as they return them and keep them free of food stains. Yet there are gaps on my shelves where borrowed books never came back. Already been over three years now. It is a small thing for them to forget but it stings a little each time I notice the empty space. I often think of buying those copies again but then I wonder if it is needed. I have already read them. Still the thought of not having them a part of my life troubles me a little. They were old companions with whom I had spent some good time and I had hoped to revisit them some day. Should I buy them again?

Two questions that fellow readers often ask me are what genres I read and what I am reading at the moment. The truth is that I read across a wide range. Philosophy and religion. Fiction and murder mysteries. Self help and general non fiction. Even comics and graphic novels. I follow my curiosity and that list is long. As for what I am reading right now, I usually avoid answering. People can be rather quick to judge and I have no wish to explain or defend my choices. When I am travelling I often cover a book with brown paper (like school kids do) so that the details are not visible. It keeps the book clean and it keeps curious eyes away. Or I simply read on the kindle which is even easier.

Recently I had guests who asked how I spend my free time. My first response was – What free time? Later I realised what they meant. They were asking what I do without television films malls or evenings spent out. I told them that I have books. People have written so much of value that one lifetime feels too short to read even a small part of it. I am not sure if my next life will give me this same love for the written word or a chance to read as much as I want to.

My answer surprised them. One of them could not imagine anyone reading books in an age where the mobile phone rules and videos keep everyone busy. Her surprise amused me for the love of books has stayed with me for as long as I remember. It is an old friend and it will remain so for many years to come.

Click here for all related posts – Browse my blog on slow and sustainable living !