A reader's response to my article titled Confessions of a Bookaholic (published July 8, 2007):

Madeeha Syed’s article “Confessions of a bookaholic” (Books and Authors, July 8) made me smile. I am not as addicted to books as Madeeha clearly is — but I do have a lot of similar confessions to make. Yes, the first thing that comes to my mind when deciding on a gift for a wedding or birthday is invariably a book. Whether or not the person in question is a book lover is always a second thought. When in urgent need of a present, I even borrow one or more books from my treasury and then buy another copy of the same book as soon as possible. Of the best books, I always buy more than one copy (after having read the book, of course) — just in case I need to give it away in emergency.

In contrast to Madeeha’s inability to stop herself from buying more books before reading all those she already owns, I am a woman with great self-restrain. I simply limit my shopping trips to only once every couple of months (!!!). But I admit I really cannot help myself if I happen to chance upon a book fair in. Once, after he had packed my purchases, the man at the stall offered to deliver all the books to my office in the evening. I had just stopped by to “have a look” and didn’t bring my car!

I have never seen people who enjoy reading get bored. Books are the most reliable friends on earth, and the best part is there are many kinds of books. All you have to do is find one that suits you the best. For me, fiction is a big no, no. Biographies and autobiographies of men and women of substance work best in times of distress and history works only when I am in the mood.

I salute Madeeha for giving vent to her guilt. I wonder how many readers are laughing at us, but luckily, this world is full of millions of kinds of books — and as many kinds of humans.

Madiha Saeed Rizvi (Karachi)

Feeback First Published:

Books & Authors

July 22, 2007