METAPHORICAL SHOES OF A BIBLIOPHILE

For many years, I have always gotten that weird look from the people around me. They stare at me if I have an eye on top of my nose. I do not have any physical deformities, mind you. I am in a perfect shape and my physical appearance doesn’t make me stand out more than the next guy. However, what makes my loved ones and strangers to stare at me, all lies on what I do. A habit, a behaviour, a curse? Sometimes I feel like it is an addiction.  A drug like cocaine that needs constant refill. In my life, there is no single day that passes without delving into my desires/cravings.

My cousin never understands why I can spend hours, seated in one ‘state’, staring at words. She never understands why I would prefer to read a story instead of watching the movie. All right, I have said it. Books are my addiction! Sorry, any written document attracts me as light attracts a moth. When I walk on the streets, I sub-consciously read any word before me. ‘Househelp wanted’ ‘Doctor from Tanzania treats all ailments’ ‘Do you believe the butcher when he tells you the meat is soft’. In my mind, every word must register itself. My eyes can avoid looking at the person in front of me but will see the words spewed all over the billboards. Sometimes I usually feel like am a weird one. That I just come from another planet altogether.

 
My love for books originated from when I was small, in my kindergarten days. I would thrill at the prospect of opening a Ladybird book series. Rapunzel, Pinocchio, Three Little Pigs, just to name a few would keep me hidden from my mother or my cousins for hours. People used to think I was lazy, that I was running away from chores while literally, I was stuck in the moment.  Back then, Kenya National Library allowed individuals to borrow up to two books for two weeks. Therefore, when I was in class three I had my library card with me. It was my treasure, it was my diamond. I would borrow two books every fortnight, one textbook and one novel. However, if it weren’t for my mum, two story books would have carried the days. I remember I first read my big novel titled ‘The Hole’ (which I saw became a movie later on) when I was in class Five. My English teacher would be busy applying polish to her nails on her desk, while I was stealing moments in class reading my storybook.  

When I was in class Six, I read my first Grisham. I had seen my mum reading it and it got me curious when it was lying there after she had finished.  The Partner became my obsession after school. Despite the heavy legal terms, I managed it. However, I soon forgot 60 percent of the terms I didn’t search on my dictionary. The habit evidently progressed through high school where I would be among the first few individuals who would read ‘new’ books in school. We had our own club, Nesh, Mercy, Jackie and I would literally read all the new books in school. That is, if anyone came with a novel on opening and half-term dates, we were the ones to read first. I don’t know why, but we always got hold of most of the books In the whole school. It’s funny how we would wake up at 5 a.m and read a novel the whole day. Only during math class that you were obliged to put it aside. How? Simple. I would put my novel inside my exercise book and read it through the lessons. Being a backbencher helped a lot. One time my business teacher caught me, and all I did was to put it away as if nothing happened.

Literally, after high school my love for books had grown to another dimension. It was my life; it was how I knew how to live. Therefore, when years later on, I walked into a bookshop and bought a book for like Ksh 1300, it was not a big deal for me. I was thrilled when I smelled the book and I knew it was mine. However, my friend stared at me in the most horrific manner (I can still recall that look 2 years later). The look was why spend that much on a book that you gonna put away after reading it? I don’t know why. It happens!

Also, I have those impulsive moments when it comes to books. Every time I go to town, I will buy a book from Inama bookshops. Thanks Inama people! I have so many books that I cannot finish reading in over 4 months, but I will still buy. I got thrilled when I found a group where the love for books is mutual. Where books are in plenty, that it will literally take years to finish the online collections. So, am I crazy? Some will say yes. To some, we share the same sentiments. So, what am I trying to tell you?  

Always develop a reading culture, with your spouse, friends, children and yourself. Books have life; they take you to a different dimension. They improve your perspective of life. They increase your imagination. They help develop your skills, without my books I would not even know how to write.  Some people claim not to be a reading person, but reading is a culture. You have to nurture it. It starts with an article of 400 words to a book of 800 pages. It takes years to cultivate but will always keep your mind young.

Guys, please don’t look at me weirdly next time I get excited about buying 5 books with all the money I have. Buying those books gives me a thrill that a lover cannot give me. It also takes me to a different dimension, where the author and I are one. We understand the same language. We communicate the same language. He/she understands me more than the world around me does. So, when I see my nephew Kigen indulging in a book, I am jumping into a thousand sparks. Because I know, it will always make him a better person.

And thanks to Denzel, Patel and my book clubs, I know we are all communicating the same language. The love for books!