Books are as essential to me as the air I breathe.
Growing up in a household of avid readers, it was only natural to take to reading.
From daydreaming about lemonade and buns inspired by Enid Blyton to yearning to visit Malgudi, the fictional town created by R.K. Narayan, my childhood was a series of vacations spent traveling worlds, one book at a time.
On this World Book Day, I want to take a moment to remember my maternal grandfather, Mr. TS Thurumalai, an English teacher fondly referred to as a "mobile dictionary" by his students and colleagues. The way he devoured every word in the newspaper and solved crosswords effortlessly inspired me to become better with my language and vocabulary.
He used to recommend learning one new word every day and looking up its proper meaning in the dictionary to improve in the language. I used to do that as a kid every summer vacation, and that probably helps me in my chosen vocation as an author today. The childhood trips to Higginbothams, where he would get me a new book, remain etched in my memory.
No note of gratitude is complete if I don't mention my mother, Mrs. Rajalakshmi Kannan, who is the reason I'm a writer today. She never hesitated to pay for library memberships, discuss books with me, making my life vibrant and meaningful.
I've been privileged to grow up surrounded by books, but for those who haven't had the same experience, it's never too late to start. Just pick up a book and make a beginning. You may not connect immediately, but I assure you, it will become a habit soon.
A World Book Day post won't be complete if I do not talk about my books, written in a lucid language with engaging narratives, perfect for non-readers looking to dive into the world of reading.
"A Balance Called Life" explores things that can brighten your life and lead to personal transformation when practiced consistently, while "Taste of Fate" is a magical story promising a happily-ever-after.
Give them a read and let me know if they help ignite a love for reading in you.
Here are the links -
Taste of Fate, A Novel -
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0CWLQJCZT
A Balance Called Life, A Self-help book -https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BTVPP69N