Books my favorite indulgence

This one on books, my favorite indulgence. I can’t deem it my hobby as I feel hobby is not something which is pampered by you. Books on other hand have been always pampered by me. I have given them my time as well as money in ample amount and what have they given me , ah yeah a much needed fun, an escape from harsh reality and an opportunity to indulge myself in a wonderland, Alice could have understood me.
Well they provided a much needed break . Came as a whiff of fresh air in monotonous world. I started with those good old Russian books, with lot of Ivans and Alyona
With Vovas and Anushkas thrown to good measure. Vova was a terrible child who did not like any thing, had a penchant for creating ruckus and complaining to no end.
Russian version of Calvin one may say. Russia disintegrated and Russian books vanished into thin air, I too was growing up and parting with those old books was not that painful.
I now started with some light books, Enid Blyton and famous four captured my heart for a while , then I graduated to sport biography. Sunny Gavaskar remained my favorite author, dad always asked to give Cardus a try. I am glad that I did, though it was after some time. A lot of water has flown under the Ganges by then. Iraq was hounded by Senior Bush, India had tryst with Mandal Commission, Rajeev Gandhi was assassinated
And by then Tendulkar has attained demi god status. But I read Cardus finally and read of Ranji Singhji ,blue eyed boy (blue blooded as well)attired in silk Flannels , his late cuts used to leave Yorkshire dumbfounded . Then maturing (read puberty) process dawned. Started with Sheldons ,sounds ironical maturity and Sheldon, can’t be spoken in same breath, I know that. Left Sheldon aside and gorged on Grishams and Cooks for a while. But then I started what perhaps is read by every teeny bopper today, Ayn Rand and her “The Fountainhead”. Agreed it was revolutionary book which aggressively supported US led philosophy and without naming once mad a veiled attempt to attack Communism.
But so did George Orwell and his was never thin veiled with his sharp biting humor he meant to offend communism where it hurt most , their ideologies and their practices.
Coming back to Rand, her book is exceptional but to tell that individualism is the ultimate path to success and working you way in a group breeds mediocrity is tad too harsh. In a practical world, her theory of living all by your self, swearing by your ideologies and give a damn to those who put your life in misery just doesn’t seem to fit.
I don’t see and Roark and Dominique around who can lead lives all of their own without getting slightly influenced by whatever goes around. Ended up many night arguing over characters of Fountainhead, and it was fun to argue with your friend over Roarks, Toohys and Dominiques and finally come to conclusion that we can continue this argument for another day. In between I read DH Lawrence, His Sons and Lovers was interesting. The
Story of miner moved me, the protagonist was a bit grumpy sometimes , didn’t handle his relationships very well, was a kind of weird person, but still I loved him. Had a big debate with a lady on orkut few days back and she had all her sympathies for the lady love. As I said curt he may sound, but his was a character you are force to have empathy for. Back to Orwell, 1984 was a classic, a kind of negative utopia where he has gauged it correctly how in future thoughts would be influenced and controlled. Government’s half of problems would be solved if it can influence people’s feelings and thoughts.
Orwell’s stance has always been against communist ideologies and this age defying book was published way back in 1948. And yeah people generally switch to Orwell with wonderfully crafted book Animal Farm, a book which stamped his genius and wit in world of literature. A good book to get hooked to Orwell and then serious ones follow the suit. Then there is his compilation of essays a good one to get a know how on politico scenario prevailing during his times. And yep how can I forget a certain Mr. Rohinton Mistry someone whose parsi centric stories are quite sentimental and a throwback on good old times. Yeah his stories build up slowly but you tend to get engrosses in it.
How can I forget Family Matters a book “which literally moved me to tears”. I could feel myself in place of Nariman or Yezaad and could feel the pain. Coomy was painted as someone who hurt Mr. Vakeel most, still she to was never an object of despise.
You tend to love such characters and come to understand that no one is evil/saint; it is conditions and prevailing scenarios which bring out a hero or villain out of us.
On a parting note I would say all these authors have given me many sleepless nights , in case of Mistry solace while boarding a crawling bus on Hosur Road.