It’s easy to find sadness each day, but to find a moment of happiness is difficult. Last year, I couldn’t bring myself to finish the 100 Days of Happiness challenge. This year, I am more determined to finish it — Counting down to 2016 with Happiness!
The Happiness of Reading Book Inscriptions
100 Days of Happiness – Day 26
I don’t quite remember when it was that I started exchanging books with friends. Maybe two years back. Few of us bibliophile friends got together and started a book exchange with each other in Secret Santa style. One friend who stays abroad took up the task of deciding who is Santa for whom. And it was really fun. Over time, we had four or five book exchanges. We even got together to send that lovely friend abroad some nice books too.
One thing I loved about the book exchange was that I started to inscribe the books I sent. Each of them had a note in it, one that I loved writing. And those who sent to me, most of them inscribed the book as well. I think that matters a lot. It’s a memory that stays through the read and after the read as well. The first book I received (which, shockingly, I still haven’t read) is Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. And the first book I sent was the book Monsoon Diary by Shobha Narayan.
Happiness is … reading some of the notes inside the books I’ve received from friends over the years. It reminds me of the exchange, and that personal touch makes it worthwhile.
(© 18th October 2015)
Sounds like fun, Vinay! I can understand how it would feel to read those notes – you’ll have a smile when you even think about it so imagine the dance of the heart when you read it again 🙂
Oh yes, Sreedeep! It is fun. It brings back memories, and that’s a joy unlike any other!