Discovering New Worlds: A Personal Journey through the Pages of Books

Discovering New Worlds: A Personal Journey through the Pages of Books

Every time I read a book, I can't help but wonder why I hadn't read it sooner. I know I'm not alone in feeling this way, as many other readers share this sentiment. Reading also brings about a strange emotion within me, and sometimes I ponder what life would be like if I didn't read, or how people who don't read experience life. However, since the majority of people fall under the category of "non-readers," they often wonder how boring a life readers lead. 

Today is World Book Day, and I'd like to share some of the books I've read this month. I recently finished "The Final Negotiation," an autoethnographic book that explores how emotions play a central role in our daily lives. The author, Caroline, draws from her own personal experiences to show how sociology often neglects to investigate the significance of emotions. This work expands the boundaries of sociology, going beyond traditional structures and categories to bring humanity back into the society.

Another book that piqued my interest was "The Age of Empathy," falling under the genre of anthropology. I've been increasingly fascinated with how evolution has shaped our physical and cognitive development, and this book takes a deeper dive into empathy, exploring how it exists in other species and how we can understand it in human beings.

I also had the chance to read "Subhas Chandra Bose aur Aazad Hind Fauz" at "Read with a Teacher." This was my first dedicated reading on the life and work of the exemplary freedom fighter, Subhash Chandra Bose. What made it even more interesting was that the writer, Dr. Ashok Tiwari, is a colleague and friend. It's always inspiring to see teachers claim a space dominated by researchers and scholars.

The most amazing read of the month for me was "Volga se Ganga Tak." This classic Hindi literature book by Rahul Sankritayanan presents the theory of human development in a story form. It transported me to families and societies that existed thousands of years ago, demonstrating the power of books to transport us beyond time and space. Interestingly, a scholar from my village recommended this book to me when I was growing up, along with Pandit Nehru's autobiography.

Now, I'm fully immersed in the world of reading. I can honestly say that I want to live because I want to read.

Technology has changed the way we read books, and it will continue to evolve. E-books and audiobooks are becoming more popular, and I think it's important to be open to integrating both digital and physical forms. Insisting on only reading hardcover books is like insisting on using stone tools when copper and iron tools are available.

If any of my readers are looking for a book recommendation, I highly suggest starting with "Padhna Zara Sochana" by Krishna Kumar. Although it's only 60-70 pages, it significantly changes our worldview on reading and what it truly means to read.