There are days when I don’t feel like writing or posting. Sometimes I am too exhausted or confused or not in the right frame of mind to think coherently. I spend those days reading – books, posts, news dailies and stuff.
There was a spell like that last week. Even partly this week. The day I locked myself out of my flat. Yes, I did right that. Don’t ask me how. But as you all by now know that I am quite capable of doing the weirdest possible things that go beyond normal comprehension.
Well, after a few frantic calls and ‘technical help’ later, I managed to enter my flat, pick up the right set of keys and walk out again. The main thing here is that I did walk out again which implies that I was not dissuaded by my own mistakes to carry on with the job I intended to do that evening.
😂😂😂😂
I am proud of myself even after making that gross mistake.
Coming back to readings…
A very easy way to recreate childhood is to read the books that I used to read as a child. As I shared with you all earlier I got hold of an Enid Blyton during my last outing to the Public Library. It was a fun read after a very very long time but then I could make out how time has flown and what seemed quite reasonable as a child now allows uncomfortable questions to rear their heads.
The Famous Five On A Hike Together – as the name suggests Julian, Dick, Anne, George and George’s pet dog Timmy go on a hike together on a long weekend after their half term. Timmy , chasing rabbits, hurts his legs and the group breaks into two – Julian and George part to get Timmy checked by a village local while Dick and Anne trek on forward, as planned earlier, towards the Farm House where all of them are supposed to spend the night. However, Dick and Anne lose their way and end up in another deserted Farm where a stone deaf old woman resides with her shady son.
She is scared that if her son comes to know that she has allowed the kids to spend the night there he will be very angry. So Anne is secretly put up in the attic while Dick hides in the barn. But strange things happen in the night – a runaway convict mistakenly delivers a hand written note carrying coded direction to a hidden loot to Dick. The adventure starts thereon.
The whole story sticks on the premise that the children are not able to communicate with each other after they part ways though they reunite the next day. But would the premise tick if they had mobiles ? Just a wayward thought !!
Also without being critical Julian’s statement that the boys get more pocket money than the girls or that girls are to be taken care of somehow do not jell with the modern day perceptions. Though I do believe girls should be taken care of but I guess in a different way.
Well, again these are just observations like what the thinking was during that time and what it is now – pointing again to the lapse of time I guess. The book was first published in Great Britain in 1942 – so whatever seems not in line with today’s times is quite understandable.
In the meantime, the physiotherapy sessions have given me relief from the handicapping vertigo. So I’ll be a little more active in writing, posting and reading you all.
But as one of the patients at the Therapy Centre remarked, “Saarey shareer mein dard hi dard hai. Kahaan kahaan lagaaye?” ( The entire body is plagued by pain. Where all should we get the therapy done?)
That made me chuckle…We Old Bones !!!
Incidentally, all the patients are mostly ladies. Does that mean that this particular gender is more battered by life?
Hehh…Hehh…Again just a passing thought 🤔🤔!!
Cheerio!!!
PS : I am greatly disappointed that the library (of Bengali books) nearest to my home has closed down because nobody now reads an actual book!! 😭📖😔
So I have to do with audio stories for the time being. Sad!! There’s nothing like reading an actual book. Is there ???
I used to read Enid Blyton too! I loved malory towers, secret seven, and st. Claires. X
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Hi Carol Anne! After a long time. How are you doing? I guess Enid Blyton was every child’s favourite. Hugs
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I was born the year that your Famous Five was published and I only read actual books 🙂
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Thank you very much Derrrick 🙏
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I was born in the year your Famous Five book was published and I only read actual books
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My respect Derrrick 🙏
You’ve seen those times which we have not.
I too love to read actual books but sometimes have to fall back on digital copies or online publications because of various constraints.
Thank you very much for your visit and comment.
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I don’t think I’ve read this one. But I agree that it would now sound strange to us.
You’re right that not many people read books now. The libraries in the west are also offering audio books for lending.
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Sadje, you are right. Though these books remind us of our childhood pleasures but we have moved on in life. The ways of life have also advanced with science and technology. Reading physical books are still recommended because too much online reading is not good for eyesight. Extended screen time causes dryness and glare. But we have very few options now. Have a great Sunday. Thanks for being here.
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Absolutely right dear sister. I should read the books that I have on my bedside table.
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I read loads of Enid Blyton books as a child and so many children still love them! I’ve been listening to audiobooks recently from my library online borrowing facility.
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Me too. Read Nancy Drew too. I am happy that children still read these books. Audio books are the second choice when I can’t get actual books. Thanks Liz for the visit.
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हमें तो अभी भी किताबें पढ़ना ही अच्छा लगता हे,ऑडियो बुक्स नहीं लेकिन शायद बदलते वक्त की एक पहचान यह भी हे.
बचपन जिंदगी का वो हसीन दौर हे जहां हम सब लौट कर जाना चाहते हे चाहे वही किताबें फिर पड़ के या वही कहानियां दोहरा कर.
चाबियों वाली बात मजेदार हे,गलतियाँ सिखाती हे और हमारी गीता दी इस से डर जायें ऐसा नहीं हो सख्ता हे.
में फिर कहूं गी ,आप लिखते रहिए हम पड़ते रहें गे .
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किताबें किसे पसंद नहीं ? पर किताबों को संभालना अब मुश्किल हो रहा है। जगह की कमी। ऑनलाइन रीडिंग बड़ी मुश्किल से अपनाया है।
बचपन एक ऐसा दौर है जो कभी खत्म नहीं होता। चाहे वह किताबों के ज़रिए या चर्चा के माध्यम से हम बार बार वहीँ लौट जाते हैं।
हां! गलतियां हमें सीखने पर मजबूर कर देती है और यह ज़रूरी भी है।
मेरे पोस्ट को पढ़ने के लिये और मुझे लिखने का प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए दिल से शुक्रिया नुसरत। जीते रहिए। हमेशा खुश रहिए।
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Reading is a must!!
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It is. I agree with you wholeheartedly
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I do this as well. I’ve found it interesting to rediscover a book I enjoyed when I was very young and see how it holds up to my adult eyes. It’s interesting how bits and pieces of the story come back to memory, while other parts seem new again.
I’m sorry to learn that your local library closed. At some point, people will learn that physical books are far more valuable than digital copies.
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Yes. That’s the right word – rediscovery. A process which applies to reading and to one’s own self too. We may not respond to a book as an adult the way we did in our childhood. Interesting process.
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And I am sorry too about the closure of the library. But I think there’s a cyclic order in life. So what’s closed today may open tomorrow with perhaps in a novel form.
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We do read actual books and actual books only. Recently kids have been visiting with their mothers to turn pages too. I guess, Viren has been boasting about his books collection in the park 🙄 with his friends. But I’m happy to host curious kids in the evening. They return at times twice/ thrice in a week. Though I wonder if it’s books or brownies 😀.
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Both I guess. But it’s a good indicator of renewed interest in reading. Thanks Chetna. Viren has again done it.
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Geeta ji, this is a delightful blend of nostalgia, self-awareness, and gentle humour. What stays with me is the reminder that books change as we grow sometimes the story remains the same, but the reader has changed. And yes, there really is nothing quite like holding an actual book in your hands.
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Thank you very much Vijayji. Yes, you have rightly summed up the experience – The story remains the same but our perception changes. And oh yes the pleasure of holding an actual book in hand and reading it is unparalleled.
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Oops! My first thought, doesn’t your didi have a spare key to your flat?
I like holding and reading actual books. Also, I enjoyed reading the classic Little House children’s series.
I already spend enough time in front of screens at work and on WP so I try to minimize my screen and mobile use afterward.
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You are right. She does have. We both have of each other’s. But she is out of station now. 😂
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Kya timing hai 😂
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Yes, it was perfect coupled with my unmindfulness.
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That’s interesting post-so much happening together. It was quite an interesting journey to school days via the Famous 5 story.
We do read paper books, my daughter more than me – But I also make use of the Kindle App in my phone.
This post reminded me of the poem of Gulzar Saab – Kitab e jhakti hai bandh almari o se…
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😊 It’s difficult to maintain physical books because of space constraints. Reliance on Kindle App is also there. I took to Kindle very late. Thank you for your presence here.
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Some messages of the book aren’t timeless. It doesn’t apply to the modern generation. This is an intriguing book. Feel so much better, gc! Take care and take your time.
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Hey Hazel! Sorry…how did I miss your comment on this post. I think we have forgotten about books in the bevy of gadgets. Take care Hazel. Sorry for the delayed response.
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