Reading Week Celebration: Message by Sindhu Teacher, Dept. of English.

 Hello there...how's life? I can well imagine your groans while reading this question...lockdown days, online class hassles, no laughter with  friends, no hangin' out with cousins, no movies, no restaurant dinners, no functions to attend....never in our wildest dreams did we expect that a break from our regular school life could be so miserable, right?

But...hey...I do hear some grunts of disagreement...those are coming from the passionate readers, I suppose. I admit, if you have the reading habit, your misery could have been reduced to a certain extent. As Jhumpa Lahiri has rightly said," that's the thing with books. They let you travel without even moving your feet."

So, if you haven't befriended reading yet, this is the perfect time to go for it. And if you had tried and did not have the mind to continue, then I presume, you haven't spotted the right ones that make you happy.

 

For beginners, I would suggest comics- whether it be, Soothranum Sheruvum of Balarama, or EenaMeenaMynahMo of Tinkle- the appealing illustration and minimal conversation would make it easy for you to complete. Completion always gives the contentment. Pick books that are simple, that make you elated, that let your imagination soar.

 

Move on to Enid Blyton's books- school series like Malory towers, St Clare's, Naughtiest girl, and if you have the adventurous spirit, try the famous five series, Nancy drew, Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes. Inorder to tickle your sense of humour, read the Butterfingers series, the wimpy kid series which have situations that are totally relatable. 

 

Arthur Hailey's science fiction books keep us glued on to the story, which is based upon a particular profession in each book. The final diagnosis, Coma,Wheels, Airport are some of them. I would recommend the Chicken soup series too especially 'Teens talk relationship' is easy to read short narratives.

This is a small nudge to get you started. Once you shake things up, you would be having your own favourite genres and authors. So, get the ball rolling....I assure you, it's a sure stress-buster ..

 

Happy reading.