Books - My heart and soul. I fell in love with books(literally) when I was around two years old(well, love does have no starting boundaries either!). I lived in a world which was harsh, and books were my doorway to the world of bliss, beauty, and endless joy. Like every other reader does, I started out with the Grimm Brothers(not knowing that they even existed, at that time). They made the spark that further kindled the fire that is now my obsessive infatuation of books... Okay, overdose... but that gives you an idea about how much books mean to me. So, well, a post for my books, my love, my life!
Books welcome you, all of them do. They can be your solace, live your joy, share your sorrow and pacify your anger. They have loads to give, and they never ask for returns(something that pleases everyone). They sharpen many of your skills, from analytical to imaginative. They help you have a broader outlook at everything, have multiple solutions for one problem, multiple possibilities for one change, multiple hypotheses and theories for one supposition — and it comes to you naturally, you don't specifically need to work on it. Best part is, at least for me, that they can transform your boring life(if you have one, if you have an interesting life, it enriches it!) into a lively, color-filled one. Then you can relate situations you read in books to situations in real life, observe things other people don't usually notice, and manage to ace every english test you have(applicable to exams too!).
Books, when first written,(and I'm not talking about paper, I'm talking about papyrus rolls, leaves and parchment) were mostly about a certain culture, a certain way of living. These expanded into broken down versions of the same,which also had real life examples, making it easier for the "common man" to read them. From these expansions came the idea of writing stories with morals for even easier learning, which later evolved into the various genres we have today. That's another thing that books have — versatility. Every book has something new to offer, a new style, a new story, a new idea, a new horizon.... loads more that I haven't yet realized maybe. They never fail to enthrall you, you imagine yourself with Snow-White when she's running away, with any commando or cop or detective or marine or action hero fighting off bad guys, with vampires and drop-dead gorgeous hunks as they romance their love(who incidentally is you. Vice-versa for boys by the way....), with the protagonist as they shatter due to an emotional or physical wound... so many lives that we can live in one life of our own.
The best part about books is that they give you entertainment and knowledge both. Few things in the world can do that, rather, have that potential. No matter what kind of genre you are reading, you still learn from the book. Books provide a definite path which you can follow in the vast universe of knowledge. And well, also, the other uses of books should not be forgotten! They help you bunk class — yeah, borrow a book from the library, tell your prof you must return it, or else you won't be able to get another book: ever(those are words of experience, mind you). They also are great companions while watching horror movies when you are alone in the house, or if you are damn sleepy in class(or damn sleepy anywhere) they work as a good pillow(don't do that if you oil your hair, that stains the book... put a hanky on and then sleep). And it doesn't hurt to say that they can also be an excellent way of avoiding people you want to avoid, like, just tell them, "I really want to read this book, I'm in the most interesting part, so, if you don't mind don't disturb me please!"
Talking about negatives, nooks have only two of those, out of which one can be avoided, the other, well,depends. Firstly, it's nigh impossible to put down a book once you start reading it. It weaves it's magic around you,and then you have to tear through the beautiful cocoon and get on with your work — very difficult. But well, you still can do that. The second one, well, I don't know if it really is done, but criminals(all sorts and kinds) get ideas from books. All sorts. For example, how to fool a guard, how to mesmerize a girl, various robberies etc etc(not that they can't be original, no harsh feelings...). Could be bad...!!! But well, this is what I think. I don't know if it's in practice, but I had 5 months of vacations, what else do you expect???
Books being the beautiful things they are,some people don't treat them properly. I'm ashamed to see that there are people who don't,can't and will not respect books. At least some only hate them, and don't ruin them. There are also people who like to read, but they tear pages from the book, scribble and scrawl in it, tear the cover apart etc etc. I whole-heartedly detest such people... if you want to read a book, at least ensure you keep it in a read-able condition! So, well, people who read my blog, you might or might not be an avid reader, but please do try not to ruin any book, especially books from libraries.
Lastly, what I like about books. That would actually be a very long list, but the toppers are that books enhance my imagination, make it so good that things almost feel realistic, that they give me unending knowledge, that they are always there - no matter what(yep, even when I watch The Grudge or something), and the way they smell. That last one might sound weird, but it's true. I love the smell of a book. Every book has its own smell, and that adds to my addiction! I end my post here, or I fear I'll go on forever!!
