I hear the word book, I go crazy. Immensely they have influenced me. Reading a book can change your way of thinking, a way of acting and a way of giving. Books are not just a hobby they give you more than you ask for.

“Happiness. That’s what books smells like. Happiness. That’s why I always wanted to have a bookshop. What better life than to trade in happiness?” – Sarah MacLean

I am sort of person who is uninterested in any extramural activities. The latest thing which I observed is, I do things as it is pronounced. I have never tried to be creative or ever thought, what will happen if I don’t do in the way it is communicated. From this time forth I am going to make an effort to be the other side of the coin. This is happening since because of the books.

When I was in my final year of graduation one of my friends expressed how books shaped her and I fancied the way she carried herself. I was wondering whether the books made her that way. So I considered why don’t I give it a try. Finally, my relationship with the books commenced. With no wonder, my relationship is unyielding still today.

I started off with a fiction novel written by Chetan Bhagat “2 States”. Still, those lines linger in my mind. The first thing which I realized soon after reading the novel was, I never knew loads of things. You can question what does a fiction novel teach you? It’s just another story. No, it’s not. You have as many as characters depicted, you might be one among them. You can relate to each one of them with similarities in your character. You know to get who you are.

There might be characters influencing us. The funny part is if I become obsessed with either of the characters I try to be them for a week or so but I fail in a day and return to my individuality. At the end of the day, you are always who you are. But, you can inculcate those good things in your life if you are totally mesmerized by the role. Likewise, there will be shades of grey characters too from which you can learn how not to be.

Then I continued reading books of different genre romance, mystery, drama, self-help, fantasy, fiction, history, thriller, etc. You know what, after reading  2 states and Harry Potter I watched the movie. I didn’t like much because I realized my imagination were failed to be captured in a 50 feet screen. Possibly I needed much bigger size because when we read books its known that our imagination is to spring up, each and every word we image. It’s like being in our own world. Yes, we get influenced by movies but books can do quite more.

When I reached a certain point in my life I discovered a lot of things were disturbing me its more of people around me. I can feel lots of obsession, hatred, revenge, jealous backbiting, foul mouth, judgemental. I felt agitated, argued about it. I was wondering was it my mistake or people around me. Then I knew it is the way our society is designed. If someone wanted to change it then they become the bad bitch.

There gave hand to me, self-help books. Those books helped me to grow as a better person. After growing into a teen I puzzle over why do my mom and I have million difference of opinions? Then it hit me when I read self-help books there it was said what my mom taught me right was proven to be wrong there. It’s not her fault. She taught me what she was taught, as I said earlier it was the fault of the society designed. Later whenever I encountered people with all those qualities mentioned above I use to laugh to myself and never felt the agitation and anger anymore. I am not perfect though, I too have those qualities but I accept my flaws and trying to eradicate it. That’s what books taught me. Even when I was feeling low in my career self-help books related to career kept me going on.

There are entrepreneurs out there facing ups and downs each day, there are monks out there preach people each day, there are moms who take great care of kids each day, there are people who advise their friends and take them to next level. It would be nice if we were next to them and learn but we cannot meet all those entrepreneurs, monks, moms, friends out there but we can gain the knowledge of what they preach through books. There are autobiographies of entrepreneurs, self-help books like “The monk who sold his Ferrari”, there are parenting books written by great moms, there are fiction books where friends give helping hand to each other.

“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” – Jhumpa Lahiri

Apart from this books helped me to develop my language,  vocabulary which eventually gave me lots of confidence when I interact with people. It enhanced the quality of lifestyle and it encouraged me to participate in various clubs related to public speaking and my new passion blogging. I regret why didn’t I start reading earlier. It is not too late to start my dear friends out there.

xoxo,

Mita