If I could live multiple lifetimes simultaneously, I would probably dedicate one to just read books.

I am very often overwhelmed by the number of books I want to read but cant find the time to read them all. Its that same feeling that runs thru me when ever I visit a book shop; Surrounded by books I want to read but crippled by my mortal inadequacies to fulfill this dream.

Sometimes when I am in a book store, I suddenly feel claustrophobic. I look around at the books that surround me and slowly resign to the fact that I wont ever get around to reading them all. Its a helpless feeling but somewhere hidden in the silent reminder of my mortality is the thought that any book I pick up and read now, will be a bit like falling in love. Its like taking a chance to understand something new and hope that the moments that we share will be worth a lifetime.

—

A few years ago, my love story with book stores paused abruptly. I stood one fine day in a book store and just coudnt feel anything. Its hard to explain what happened but the feeling just died on me… I stopped visiting book stores for a long time after that day.

A few months back I found myself in a book store once again. I was there for someone else but as I walked by those familiar aisles, I felt a tiny spark of the fire that was once there. As the aroma of used books filled my nostrils, I looked around, confused, not knowing what to feel. It was like coming face to face with someone you once loved, and wondering what the hell happened along the way. And then when the moment was past, we were comfortable once again; It wasnt the same old feeling but it still was something. Something, just enough to hold onto, for a little while longer…