Monday, April 12, 2010

An old habit is re"Kindled"

I used to be an avid reader. It was not uncommon for me to finish an entire book in a day during my summer vacations as a school-going kid. Gradually, increased pressure of studies, email, the internet, work pressures, parenting and other excuses pushed this wonderful habit into oblivion.

A recent project I was working on, had me landing on the Amazon home page regularly. If you've seen their home page, you would know that the first thing that hits you is "Kindle". Repeated visits to that page started tempting me to buy a Kindle, but I kept putting it off because - I told myself - I no longer read like I used to. That's when it hit me. "I no longer read liked I used to?" That's right, I realized; I didn't. That introspection, combined with some work-related travel (with no in-flight WiFi) helped rekindle the habit.

In the last month, I have read 2 books - 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Middle East Conflict' and John Grisham's 'The Painted House'. I started reading 'The Associate' (another John Grisham novel), but thanks to a recent meeting with Subroto Bagchi, I have now picked up 'A Whole New Mind' as well.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)I'm still tempted to buy the Kindle, but I'm still telling myself I don't need one.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying reading. The old fashioned way.

An old habit has been re"Kindled".