The joy of books

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember.

One of my favourite book collections to read as a child was the encyclopedia. The collection was classified by topic, and my top two favourites were on Space and Insects. The images were so fascinating, and it was so interesting to learn about things you can’t see with the human eye. I’d make a “to-read” list each day, and specify which chapters and pages I’d complete, then tick them off as I got through them. I’d then make notes in the books, and dog-eared the pages where I’d left off. Mum got pretty angry at me for doing that as I later learned she’d planned on selling or giving them away once I “outgrew” them — so that’s when I got my first bookmarks.

With books, I was never alone. Every book I’ve read teleported me to another world: I’ve hopped aboard the train at platform 9 and ¾ and visited Hogwarts with Harry and his crew; I’ve stepped through a wardrobe and visited Narnia; I’ve followed Frodo, Sam, and Smeagol on their journey to Mordor to destroy the ring. I’ve watched as Richard Branson hustled a chartered plane to get from Puerto Rico to the British Virgin Islands, and I was there as Marcus Aurelius penned down his thoughts in a book now called “Meditations”.

Reading is the closest thing to teleportation and time travel one can get.

In more challenging times, reading has given me both an escape and a refuge - very much like a little holiday.
In more productive times, books have provided a means to learn and expand my horizons.
In more contemplative times, the stories and wisdom shared by writers over the centuries have provided solace and measured instruction to help me work through my inner thoughts and feelings.

Having moved recently, I had the opportunity to re-examine my collection of books as I was packing. While I do my best not to hoard things, I’ve kept 2.5 boxes worth of books with me -- the books that I’ve enjoyed and have found to have really influenced me across the years. And even as I’ve adopted e-books and now have a Kindle, I still find myself buying new physical books every few months or so. There’s nothing quite like the momentary suspense that fills you up as you flip to the next page, so deeply engrossed in an enthralling idea or scene.

I’m always pretty amused to look through my collection my books. It’s made up of a random assortment of topics and types of books; ranging from titles appropriate for children aged 5, to business titles like “Zero to One” and another on the Zappos story, all the way to titles like “The Power of Now” and “Being Mortal”. I still have my entire set of Roald Dahl books, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings too. It’s so interesting to take a look at someone’s book collection - it says so much about a person!

One part of my bookshelf today (2019)

In my conversations, I like to ask people about the type of books they enjoy reading, and what they’re currently reading.

The question offers a glimpse into where their minds are at the moment, and what they’re like as a person. If we have the privilege of a longer chat, I try to ask for a recommendation or two, and add that to my personal list of things to read. 

More recently, I’ve taken to crowdsourcing this question on Facebook and LinkedIn. To my surprise, a lot of friends (and strangers, too! / people whom I just haven’t met) have shared plenty of really good recommendations.

As a result of all of these conversations and recommendations, I’ve been working on two lists: 

1. Books that have influenced me (a chronological reflection of most impactful books over the years); and 

2. A Reading List (a list of book recommendations, classified by topic/lesson. I hope to include a 1-2 line summary too)

I’ll share them soon - hopefully before September ends. Stay tuned!

Till then, I would love to know more about the books that have influenced you. Drop me an email sharing the title and your main takeaway from the book; I would love to include it in my Reading List.