THE CHARM OF BOOKSHELVES

Years back, if I was asked this question I’d probably have answered differently. Again, I have been reminded of how much we as humans can change our choices and preferences over time. Books for me are special especially when they are in a shelf waiting for someone to pick them up to study. Sometimes when I visit a library or see a photo of a library, it makes me want to learn and explore what are in those books and why they are so well arranged.

All I did some years when I saw books was admire them but I never had any interest in reading them. When I was in primary and secondary school, I remember most of my classmates would always run to the nearest bookstore to buy those local story books with their lunch money and they always had this look of satisfaction stacking them up after reading and also boasting to their friends (those who still read books like them) just how many of those books they have bought and read. I admired them and I also envied them because I wasn’t just interested in reading books no matter how much I tried.

Actually, I was surrounded by people that didn’t read book to learn but just to have fun and also to prove that they have read a lot of books and that wasn’t on my list of things to do (actually I think I felt I wasn’t brilliant enough to do so) so I guess that was one of the reasons I wasn’t interested in reading books. But despite the fact that I didn’t want to read books, I loved it anytime I get a new notebook (normal books, hehe). It always feels different and makes me want to study. I would always look forward to a new term because I’m definitely going to be getting a new book.

Reading or studying with a traditional book is something that has proven to be more reliable over time. Personally, I’d rather read a traditional book than read an ebook. Reading a traditional book gives me a sense of seriousness and not me trying to play around because while I’m reading a traditional book, it is hard to divide my attention, I have to stay focused on that book it I really want to understand what I’m reading. But that is different for ebooks. I know there are others who can stay focused reading ebooks but it takes a lot of discipline and practice for me.

And besides, I’m not much of a reader and I have come to notice that it is a bit different these days because I’m beginning to cultivate the habit of reading traditional books. I even plan on buying more books in the future and probably have a mini library. This will definitely be after school. I know how much seeing books lined up in a shelf piques my interest to want to read especially when there is little or nothing to do. But when my book is on my device, it would be hard for me to get myself interested in reading a book at that point because I might just find something else to do on my phone.

So, sitting with a pile of books alone makes me feel like I’m closer to being a scholar than a whole library in my phone. I only read my online PDFs when I have exams, tests or presentations besides that, it is hard for me to go online to search for books and read but mind you, that is because I’m not an avid reader. So, I just prefer writing out my notes to read. With time, I’m very sure I’ll get to a stage when I don’t mind having my books on my devices but that won’t stop me from appreciating those books lined up on my shelf!

Thanks for reading through. ❤️