Sunday, February 7, 2010

Books Books Books ..... !!!

Today I visited the International Book Fair at Pragati Maidan. Made it finally!!! This is one of the times when I actually did not miss out on the announcements of the fair and actually saw the announcement pre-commencement of the fair....but in the mad rush of everyday things to do finally did manage to squeeze it into my schedule on the very last day....had to sacrifice my weekend trip home (mum's complaining a bit :P ) but it was definitely worth it. Come to think of it......any trip to a book-store, exhibition or fair is always worth it for me :D I think I need to be prevented from time to time from visiting book stores....I invariably end up buying something even if I have some pending unread stuff with me.
I had given up hope of visiting the book fair this time due to my busy schedule and then consoled myself saying "I have enough books to keep me occupied for quite some time". But unexpectedly, yesterday when Tanu (my labmate) suggested a visit, I half-heartedly said yes and being exhausted almost cancelled it too....but finally did keep my promise. A step into the hall full of books and the smell of fresh untouched pages of brand new books was all it took to make me feel really glad that I did come :)
Books...books...books....everywhere....and all kinds.... it was simply wonderful.......some stalls bring back such wonderful memories.....MacMillan, Longman, Orient and you think of all your school readers.....all the children's books....those that I used to look at longingly back then and didn't buy...and all those that I would love to buy for kids (I think I will make a nice storybook mom-aunt :P ) Cambridge, Wiley, Pearson etc. ....and it reminds me of all the exams that I have given :D
Then of course the favourites......Penguin, Rupa, Harper Collins.....aaaahhhh..... so much to read and so many constraints! Well, I did empty my pockets...and so much more than what I had anticipated :D (but I had the reassurance from Rahul....they could count as my b'day gifts..yayyy :D ).

Today's loot included "Open" Andre Agassi's autobiography, two books by Shashi Tharoor, Cyrus Broacha's latest and a collection of George Orwell books. And I get a book free for buying so many!!
Visited several other publisher stalls too and returned all happy and satisfied (well...almost....you leave with the hope of returning again and re-visiting the joy of being lost among the books). Four hours well spent!! And the first attack has been made already....target Agassi :P :D
I promise to be good and finish all these before I buy any more books ;)