Saturday, February 1, 2014

My Earliest Memory


My earliest memory of my entire childhood is hazy, I remember a lot of laughter. I had so much fun, I don't think I registered I was living  the best best part of life. Ah! good times. When this prompt came up, I signed up immediately, who didn't want to write about their childhood, right? But it took me soo long before I could pick what I wanted to say to the world. After reading my post, I was also wondering why would someone enjoy this? But then again, I decided to go with it anyway.

Corinne thanks for tagging me!

My earliest memory of reading was probably was when I was a little over 5? I grew up in a house with a library! Yes, I'm still to go through the entire collection my family has, only last year I discovered that I owned a copy of Pride and Prejudice! Even now, I bump into a book I've been looking for all over and suddenly it's there. In my shelf. Even as a child I was a very curious one, I couldn't wait to read grown up books (my first grown up book is the reason I have nightmares), I just wanted to sit like my parents and read big fat books. I saw my grand parents, aunts, uncles, parents read 800 pages and I would sit there with my puny little fairy tales. Booo!

My first big book was 'Robin Hood'. I remember this so clearly, it was a gift. I thought this was a grown up book. It was a green hard bound book, only now I realise that the book looked massive because of the font in the book, it was meant for children (well played, parents. Well played).

I had this tiny little world with my books in which I'd get lost for hours on end. I have beautiful cousins who never made me feel like I don't have "own" siblings. All that reading as a child helped me connect with them. In books I found companions who led me to better human companions, who I'd sit and discuss Sherlock Holmes, Asterix, with whom I'd endless discuss about the adventures, about wild life, these are people I would later in life talk to about my dreams, my fears. My books are my earliest memories because they paved way to make real connections.

Books helped me be on my own and in company, I never felt lost. In my absolute worst and in my absolute best, I've had my paper companions. My paper companions, who don't mean much if it weren't for the people they brought into my life. Each book I read has a person, has a memory, has a connection. It's not evident, but it's there. I can't quite tell you how it works. But by the end of a book, there is a name and face I can put with the book.

My earliest memory of reading involves reading books from the tiny beam of light that used to come exactly where I slept. I could read a little in that light. My parents would put me to bed and after pretending to fall asleep, I would sneak out my little book and read. My fondest memory was being "caught" for reading in bad light. (24 and perfect vision; all those carrots my mother fed me have worked)

My other really sharp memory of reading is of my grandmother, who was quite the rebel, she told me I should use a torch in the blanket and read! I mean, who says stuff life this? She did. When someone asks me, so when I started reading? I don't have a date, I've never not read. I come from a family who reads like their life depends on it.

I've had so many fruitful conversations, I've had deep fulfilling talks all thanks to reading. Through those books, I got to know people. When your pillar of a friend tells you she cried when she read something, or when your friend tells you he thinks the book you gifted is the best, you create a bond. Books were my bridges between islands, otherwise very different people all tied by this single thread! Of course, I am sure a lot of other things that help you get to know people, but for me it was books. The perfect ice breakers.

Over to you, Apoorva Kapoor. And this is incredible, I say this, because I know Apoorva exclusively through a book group!All the ice breaking happened over books.

27 comments:

  1. What a cute grandmother you have. I love her mischievous side.

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    1. Thank you Suzy! :D My grandmother is all kinds of mischief!

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  2. How amazing that you were surrounded and shaped by books. I always remember loving books growing up and had many around me always. Loved reading this glimpse of your childhood. ♥

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    1. My entire identity is based on what I've read and I'm not even a little shocked saying it :) Thanks for dropping by!

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  3. It is indeed amazingly when you say " I have never not read". It is so true if you think about it. I was fascinated by my school library and as we were allowed to take only one book a week back then, my dad got me a membership in a local library too. Reading was an amazing way to see the world. And yes, it has helped me connect better with people too. :)

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    1. Oh the books I read as a kid, brilliant stuff! Bobssey twins and Nancy Drew ah! i loved my school library

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  4. WoW! How good to grow up in a house with a library. That was one lovely read :)

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    1. Thanks Sheethal! :D It's amazing to grow up in a family that reads

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  5. Wow!! I can imagine your childhood... growing up among book lovers... simply awesome. And your grand ma is the coolest one!! ♥ :)

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    1. My grandma is awesome! when she rebels she's one of her kind! :D

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  6. Wow! wonderful to know that you were raised in the company of books. NO wonder you're such an avid reader even now. Nice to read about your story!

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    1. Yep! I am only child with only books to keep me company! I had no tv and lots of time.

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  7. Books are amazing friends...sounds like you have some lovely memories with them. I can totally relate because I have similar memories (though maybe not my earliest...)

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    1. Books are the best! I have some wonderful memories!

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  8. I was book crazy too and grateful that my parents' only indulgence was to buy us books - priceless!

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    1. I went crazy buying books! I still do that. It's nice how I feel zero guilt doing it

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  9. Reading under a torch under a blanket. What fab Idea.

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    1. I've done that, I got chargeable batteries after I realized I was going through the batteries too quickly!

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  10. Wow greatest treasure books! And to imagine you grew up with a library in your home! ;) pretending to slepp only to open up a novel after you hear your parents walk away...haha been there, done that! But I love your granny for her advise! Such wise lady ;)

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    1. My granny is quite something! I always thought that I was smarter than my parents. I thought they didn't know.

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  11. Most of your thoughts feel as if I am chatting with you. Because we have had so many such conversations. Right?

    Richa

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    1. Richa, every time I write, i know of all the people who'll read it I can count on a few people to know exactly what I'm talking about! You are one of them! We've spoken extensively about these things.:)

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  12. Surrounded by books you grew up to love them. Love your Grandma.

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  13. this is reason #1 why I like you Mags ;)

    reason #2 is you write so well.

    my earliest memory is my dad buying me Spiderman cartoon VCR cassettes from markets in Delhi. So you understand why I am like this.

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    1. Hey! You like the fact that I was a stupid kid who thought Robin Hood was a grown up book (lol). But thanks, Anshul, I've said it before, you're generous with the compliments.

      That's so cute about you and your dad! You were bitten by the superhero bug quite early on! Explains so much! :D

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  14. A library!! WOW!
    I wish we had been friends from back then!!
    And your grandma sounds like such fun!! Use a torch! LOL!!

    Books are such a blessing aren't they? :)

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