Harry S Truman once said, “not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers” which I abide with. I still remember the times when I used to visit book stores and take rounds near the horror stories section. I was extremely fascinated with the genre and my favourite was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel.

How Books Became an Integral Part of My Life

Reading has taught me a lot of things especially patience. I loved copying my elder brother when I was a child. Whenever he went out to play cricket, I wanted to be a part of it too, whenever he watched WWE matches on the television, I sat beside him and watched it. He had a great collection of Ruskin Bond books and whenever he got free time, I used to see him sit with one of his books and read. Looking at him I also wanted to do the same.

From Delhi is Not Far to Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra to The Lamp is Lit, my brother had quite a lot of Ruskin Bond books. So, one day I sat with The Room on The Roof. It was taking a lot of time for me to complete one page but, I was adamant and wanted to finish reading it. I kept a dictionary with me while reading it which helped me a lot. And finally, I completed the book after 10 days which felt great.

From that day onwards I decided to read at least two books in a month and as time passed by, books became an integral part of my life. Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and R.K. Narayan’s Guide will be my all-time favourites.

Once books become an important part of you, your perspective towards life will change. Reading not only gives you an abundant amount of knowledge but, also makes you a much happier person.