From Failing to Falling to Read!

 Very few people would believe me if, I said that I hated reading. I once loathed the sheer thought of sitting quietly with a book! I was quite restless as a kid maybe, that's the reason I didn't love turning pages. But, all of that changed and finally an incorrigible me started loving books! 

I was in class eighth when my parents took the decision of dumping the black box. I call television the big unproductive black box. Some people won't agree with me on this but that's not the aim of this blog. I was quite devastated after I lost my dear television but, I had to move around with a complaisant attitude as I couldn't share my grief with anyone. It was my addiction with that black box that had costed its departure! 

With no television I had a lot of free time to spend not knowing what productive to do! My mother kept pushing me to read books but I abhorred them until one day. I along with my parents visited my aunt's house for a house warming party. While everyone was chatting with their counter parts (mother with aunt, father with uncle) I unfortunately didn't have any. What appealed me in their house was their large fancy collection of books. I kept scanning the shelf for a long time, it had fat law books, slim magazines, decent sized books were rare but they too were present. Just then my aunt interrupted my observation and asked me to pick one book and enjoy reading until all the adults gossiped. Reluctantly I did pick a book, obviously the slimmest one. 

That book changed my attitude towards reading. The book was 'The Old Man and His God' by Sudha Murty. The book consisted short stories hardy five to six pages each. For someone like me who didn't like long texts it was the best book possible. Later on, I discovered that Sudha Murty was a short story writer. I was amazed by her style of writing. Today, my library owes all her creation. Coming back to my journey of reading, Murty was followed by Enid Blyton and her mysteries. She's awesome! And I went on following feminism by opting for Agatha Christie. Eventually, I turned into a voracious reader. Books are engrossing, they make you oblivious to your surroundings. They are addictive too....hooking you on till the last page.

It is not only about reading books....big fat books that may be soporific. One can begin reading with editorials, articles, blogs and much more. I began my journey with short stories and now even a seven hundred page book doesn't scare me. I feel it is until that right book or that right article when your journey begins.  

If I look at the earlier me, I can't imagine I have read so much. The earlier me failed reading and now I fall for reading. It is indeed a beautiful activity. Reading may gift anyone and everyone with bonanza of knowledge. My story began with 'The Old Man and His God' and it still continues. I have read Amish Tripathi, Khaled Hossieni, Salman Rushdie and many more up the line. I am yet to explore many more authors and their brainchild. I many times lament on falling to read so late.....but, late than never!