A bibliophile is someone who loves books, or someone who frequently reads books. I was in high school when I started reading books written from local authors, my friends love to read books too. I think our clique was first sort of a book club rather than really good friends. The genre of books we read became more diverse, but mostly, young adult. I remember reading the "classics" of our time, books written by John Greene, Rainbow Rowell, J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and more. In my college years, sparing time to read books became so luxurious. It was hard to be consistent with my love of reading books when I had to read and study reference books. But still, I tried. Whenever I had to go home, long hour bus rides meant I get to read books! Those times were precious for me, I was even more glad when I received an iPad mini for my birthday, now, I can read digitized books, even in the dark.
Even when I was still a student, I saved a lot of my living allowances for those yearly book sales. Sometimes, I would even visit those secondhand book stores to score some cheap finds. When I started working, I got more money to spare for more books. But, time didn't work out for me that much. I was just hoarding books, because I never had the time to read again. Not until last year, when the pandemic changed almost everything. Books became my companion again. Stories and thoughts of creative writers became my food for the soul again.
Last year, I was able to start reading again, joyfully. I spent my early mornings in bed, reading until I was called to eat breakfast. After my tasks in the day, I'd pick up a book and read another chapter. I spent a few hours reading again before I go to sleep. It was the unsettling curiosity of what happened next in the story, or the beautifully written thoughts of a courageous writer telling a part of her life.
My love for reading books collided with my joy of organizing stuff. I've been using Trello to create different boards. I have always wanted a mini library of my own but I'm still short of money to spend. I created a digital library to organize the books I want to read, I'm currently reading, I've read, and I've started reading. I used Trello's functionalities to make the book covers as cards and label them of what genre they belong in.
The books I have read last year were all from different genres. I was amazed that I have loved all the books I picked up to read. I've read "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman" by Richard P. Feynman, "Hidden Christmas" by Timothy Keller, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis, and "Small Victories" by Anne Lamott.
If I would have to choose from those four books the best one I got to read, it would take a lot of pad papers to list the good points of each books. What I can confidently share are my perceptions about the authors based from their works. Feynman lived a full life, he is famously known as one of the greatest physicists in his time, but surely he lived his life juggling Physics and all things quirky. Keller has a way of telling truthful stories plain and simple. C.S. Lewis is insightful, adventurous, and like a friend you're conversing with. Lamott is an exceptional writer, she paints pictures through her words, she's honest and her stories are raw.
Books, you see, are so amazing. It comforts, gives joy, teaches, offers conversations, feels like a companion, and more. I hope you get to experience these things that come with book reading. If you're reading one right now, do share the title. I'd love to know more great books to read. :)
