Joys of Being a Passionate Reader

When I was younger, I'll admit, that I wasn't quite the reader. But then when I saw my younger sister doing it more frequently than I did, I had to step up and go beyond her (being the older one obviously).

It was then that I realised, that books, are so much more than just pages bound together with colourful  covers and catchy titles.

It's about reading about the world that the writer creates for you, and how you imagine that very world in your mind. It's amazing the depths to which people think about certain topics.

It lets you experience those scenarios that you haven't ever been in before

You get to pretend you're a completely different person in this universe.

It lets you visit places that you have never been to, and describes intricate details that you couldn't have probably even observed had you been there. It captures the soul of each and every object mentioned in it.

The best part about owning books are the wonderful accessories associated with it. Be it the bookmarks, or the lamps, or the cute little stickers. Also, when you own a collection of books, your taste in it talks a lot about the person you are.

The worst part about reading the book is it coming to an end, and that gets me very, very emotional as I tend to get attached to the characters a lot. (guilty!)
I also especially love how the characters are described in the book - their facial features, their eye colour, their hairstyle, their attire, their flaws and their personality, and to be honest I tend fall in love a lot with the characters in the books.

Sometimes, when i like a book too much, or there's something really nice going on in the scene, i close it for a second, and hold it to my heart, like it's the most precious thing to me at the moment

The smell of the books - be it old or new, has it's own kind of fragrance.

I'm completely against the new devices that let you read through them as the old school joys of turning the pages in the book cannot be felt. I'm being a hypocrite here, but sometimes, when I can't find a certain book i want to read at the store, I have to use this means.

Book sales make me go crazy!

It helps the mind soar, and lets you think about those things you haven't ever even thought about before. Also, improves the vocabulary tremendously.

The material written in the books moulds a person, and adds to their character. It broadens the horizons of the thought processes

I personally love collecting quotes from books, and I remember them very well too. Sometimes, it's relatable to situations I'm in, and no doubt inspires me to be a better person.

Books are a constant companion. It's always in the readers hands, or back packs. There's always an unread book around them.

They love receiving books as gifts, and will treasure it.

A passionate reader just won't talk to you, they'll speak to you, they understand you.
The ability to connect to character inside the book, makes it easier to connect with people in the real world as well.

A reader lives a thousand lives. It gives the most colourful world imaginable. It lets you experience the world and world beyond

Even now whist writing this post I just couldn't stop thinking of points to keep adding here. The list just keeps going on and on, and it took me long to finally be satisfied with the points I wrote, but I guess I never will fully be.

If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.

–Haruki Murakami

This is what peace means to me. A hot chocolate and a book, curled on the couch, or the bed :)

The Beauty of Bombay on a Rainy Day

This has got to be one of favourite topics ever! I could go writing on and on and on about it and still it wouldn't be enough!

In 'Wake Up Sid!', Ranbir Kapoor, a Mumbaiite tells a newly arrived Konkana Sen, that "Mumbai monsoons are to die for!", it couldn't have been any more truer.

Being a Mumbaikar, this is without doubt my favourite season!! And why do you ask??

Each and every corner of Mumbai has it's unique beauty especially during the monsoons. And if you've been to Mumbai and NOT experienced it's monsoons, it's a terrible thing. This busy city, with all it's hustle bustle looks way more beautiful during the rains.

Unfortunately, this year, the rain Gods have kept us waiting for quite sometime before finally blessing us with the beautiful showers. Now I can finally say that "Mumbai ki Baarish aakhir aa hi gai hai" 

Things you can do do during the monsoon so that you can tell that you've fully experienced it! (Keeping aside the yucky pot holes, the traffic and all the other problems that come with it (NO I'M NOT GOING THERE!))

1. Marine Drive 

The photo above says it ALL! This is most probably the best stop during the monsoons, where people from every nook and corner of Mumbai (or even Navi Mumbai) travel long distances just to get a glimpse of this beautiful scenery and unwind. The Queen's Necklace looks so beautiful - unfortunately i do not have the correct words to express how beautiful the entire stretch looks. With the Palm trees, Bay side cafés, the high tides. If i could, i would just sit here staring into the picturesque view for a long long time.

2. Bandra Fort

Here, we see the Beauty of the Bandra-Worli sea link, in all it's glory when the sky is cloudy. The heavy winds just add to the 'theatre - effect' as I'd like to call it, for the entire scene. It's just beautiful. You're going to have to see it, to believe it. There's also a small land patch that merges with the sea, and people love to experience the tides, and winds, and the rains together.        

3. Bhutta and Gola 

After a fun filled day of getting drenched in the rain, soaking up all the monsoon happiness, a bhutta (or corn) with masala , gola and kachchi kairi (or raw mangoes) are a couple of the MUST HAVE snacks during this time.

4. Long drives 

Long drives to anywhere, especially the sea fronts, along with beautiful music playing in the background is a must! There's something very therapeutic about these drives. Do not miss out drives along Girgaum Chowpatti or the Bandra - Worli sea link! The Girgaum chowpatti also have food stalls with a variety of pav bhaji, chaat and all the 'time pass khana' that the Mumbaikars loooooove to gorge on! 

5. Romantic walks

This is one thing that the singles will definitely miss out on! A long walk with your partner shouldn't be missed! 

Also, if you have the entire day at your disposal, one thing you must most definitely not miss on is getting drenched in the rain!! If you haven't done this, you haven't really experienced the Bombay Monsoons.

Make the best of the Monsoons in the months of June - July - August. And explore this beautiful city with all it's royalty. :)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is a state of mind that, i don't think can have a perfect definition. Its being perfectly content with whatever you have.

What is happiness?

• It can be little good deeds for strangers 
• care that's shown to someone you love
• Growing a new flower
• when you hear your favourite song on the radio 
• when you plan for a holiday
• when you're planning about your future
• when you're reading a book
• petting a dog or a cat
• Eating a pizza on Saturday night
• Collecting sea shells on the beach
• exploring a city

It's a gamut of things really, and the list just doesn't end here.
Some of these maybe temporary.

Genuine happiness is always just there. It's truly infinite.

There's a very famous quote by Abraham Lincoln that goes by 'Most people are happy as they make up their minds to be' . Truer words cannot have been spoken. It's you who gets to choose to be happy.

Happiness is not contained in material possessions. It's a choice that we make. You realise this when you stop chasing the world's meaning of happiness. The decision to be happy is ours entirely, no matter what the circumstances may be.

But then again, even when we choose happiness, there a conscience effort that goes in, to practise it everyday. And these are again very simple steps to be happy.

When you embrace, practise and use each of these as stepping stones

1. Count your blessings - This is one of the best things you do. Make a list of what you're thankful for. Once you're done with the list, you'll be surprised by the number of things that's there in that list, and it's then that you'll realise that you're blessed with so many good things :)

2. Carry a smile - The emotions that you show on your face, definitely changes your actual feelings. For example when you're really sad, and you do a simple thing of looking in to a mirror and smiling, it maybe forced at first, but then, you can't stop smiling at yourself. Plus smiling requires maybe only four muscles, a lot less that for frowning.

3. Wake up happy - No matter what you feel like, wake up with a smile and positive thoughts, and i bet that day will be a positive day, no matter how bad it gets later on.

4. Hold back complaints - Complaining will only make the situation worse and irritable, and it'll only create an unhappy environment. Sometimes you should just rather keep them to yourself. Maybe if you write down your feelings somewhere, it helps.

5. Improve yourself - Everyday, try to devote sometime to your goals. Work towards what you can do to achieve it. What's more satisfying than personal improvement! :)

6. Realise your strengths - And nurture it. You can always work on it side by side with your career. It could be cooking, or art, music. It's a natural talent and if we use them effectively we feel comfortable in our own skin. Embrace it!

7. Learn a new skill - Variety is the spice of life. It could be anything. Learn a new language or try out a new course for management. More skills, the more better.

8. Treat others well - This is one of the most important rules. Unless you are nice to someone, the feelings will to be reciprocated. You get what you do.

9. Search for the gains in your pain - And by doing this, you'll only emerge victorious from your terrible times. Life can sometimes get difficult, and we all have to face it at some point or the other. You need to remind yourself that all phases no matter how bad they get, will eventually pass.

10. Get excited even for the little things - As immature as it may sound, it really does add to the happiness quotient.


Go today. And choose to be happy. And that makes the two of us! :)