Bookshelf of Life
Books have always been a source of comfort for me; they feel like home. I wonder, dear reader, are there any books that feel like home to you? Are there certain books that you feel compelled to reread, each time underlining different passages and discovering new meanings?
I believe that certain books are meant to find you, a sentiment beautifully captured by E. J. Banfield:
“On rare occasions there comes along a profound original, an odd little book that appears out of nowhere, from the pen of some obscure storyteller, and once you have read it, you will never go completely back to where you were before. The kind of book you might hesitate to lend for fear you might miss its company. The kind of book that echoes from the heart of some ancient knowing, and whispers from time's forgotten cave that life may be more than it seems, and less.”
Did any book come to your mind when you read this?
To bring a bit of psychology here, books can also play a vital role in mental health recovery. Though books can’t replace therapy, research shows there are many therapeutic benefits to reading books such as lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improves sleep quality and creativity.
Moreover, bibliotherapy is a form of therapy that uses reading as a therapeutic tool to help individuals understand and process their emotions (you can only imagine how excited I was when I first heard about this approach to therapy.)
So, to spend an evening with a book (and a chai or coffee) can be an ode to the therapeutic…
Book Nook
When I think of Book Nooks, I imagine someone curled up in a cosy corner with their favourite book, lost in imagination and engulfed in warmth. Interestingly, Google tells me that book nooks can also be miniature rooms nestled between books on a shelf, creating the illusion of another world hidden between them. How poetic, considering that books truly do immerse and transport readers into different worlds.
What fascinates me is the physicality of a book nook—the idea that a particular corner of a room can be transformed into a warm and inviting haven.
But, how does one create a book nook? There are a few key ingredients:
I wonder, dear reader, are there any such spaces where you are allowed to feel warmth, familiarity and a sense of belonging and security? What do these spaces look like for you?
One thing I adore about book nooks is their versatility—they can be placed anywhere and are as unique and individual as the people who create them.
Book nooks transform a space into a blanket of understanding, belonging, and safety; A place where personal and collective ideas, curiosities, and emotions come together, collaborating and transforming into something magical. A place that celebrates predictability and possibilities. A place of connection. A place to just… be.
What do you think; can a book nook find its place in your being?
Mann ki Baat - Activity for you!
Dear reader, have you ever wanted to be the writer of stories?
Let’s do an activity called My Life Story. It is a reflective exercise where we will add only seven or ten words for the prompts below.
So, grab a cup of chai or coffee, find your most comfortable spot (we hope it’s a book nook), and take a pencil and paper. Let’s open the doors to knowing and appreciating ourselves…
Here’s what to do:
Reminder: Take breaks if you need to reflect and find your inner calm during this exercise.
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