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Hand in hand for eternity

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A World Without Books


"Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone" - Tribute to a Reader 



I read a quote by an unknown author somewhere that said “anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book”. I have experienced books change the person I am time and again. I have lived a thousand lives; survived travesties in some and died for my lover in the other; I am passionate and irrational in some and mighty scornful in others; I have been a fashion diva with stilettos that sound to kill in one lifetime and a dwarf who loved a princess in some other…

“Man does not live by bread alone” - When Pandora Poikilos (aka Dora) dished out this topic for me, for her delicious Blog-A-Licious Blog Tour, I couldn't think of anything else but the above picture. Look at it - its priceless! I captured this image during a leisurely satiating post dinner stroll on the streets of Uptown Manhattan. The image is of a homeless man's heavily treasured and protected area. All his possessions are what you see in it - A glass of water and books. I couldn't help but wonder about this man - what happened when his home was taken away from him - did he just hold on to his books and walk away? What happened when he lost the last bit of money he had - did he smile and turn the page? How did it matter to him what happened to Lisbeth Salander in Larsson's sordid descriptions or what John Adam's went through during George Washington's presidential rule, when all that he was left with was some print and water?? Life was not really over for him but I was sure it would be if someone took away the last of his possessions - Books. The world would actually end...

Again dear readers this topic and my write up is a part of the Blog-A-Licious Tour by Pandora Poikilos. Please stay tuned to the following blogs for more on this topic... Sonia's  post follows mine and I am so looking forward to it.





55 comments:

  1. Nice. Couldn't agree more !!
    Ayon

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  2. "Man does not live by bread alone" - so true and thank you Kriti for this thought provoking post.
    Cheers - Dora
    http://pandorapoikilos.com

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  3. Kriti - Amazing stuff. What would we be without our books I wonder.....

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  4. Several bookcases overflowing with titles attest that I love books and consider them a necessity of life. Every book holds a place in my heart for various reasons and I refuse to discard them once read. Decades of my life can be seen via these books; they're a part of me and like the homeless man I must retain my books!!

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  5. @Ayon - thank you!
    @Dora - Cheers!
    @Corinne - nothing is the answer I think. Thanks a ton for coming by : )
    @David - I do the same with my books. Hoard hoard and hoard : ) but those really are treasures.

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  6. I wonder sometimes at how your mind works like this....how do you create such treasure out of nothing?? I want to be like that....

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  7. Imagine a world without books! I would go stark raving mad not being able to read. Lovely Kriti

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  8. Sad statistics were released in UK this week that said 1 in 3 children does not own a book. I was a book worm in my childhood...and still am today.It makes me sad to think of the loss of developing imaginative thought processes they are missing out on, not mention the nourishment, for you are right; man does not live by bread alone.
    Great post Kriti :-)

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  9. @Swati - blush blush : )
    @Rimly - So would I - what a scary world that would be - Thanks a ton for your comment
    @Lucy - astounding right!!! And here we are going crazy hoarding our favorite books for ages. Thank you for coming by sharing your thoughts darling!

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  10. Mitr, I live because I read and to have no books in my life is unthinkable...lovely post by a pretty bookworm :)

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  11. I like my bread buttered but regardless a good book is not too far away to smear it on.

    A

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  12. If I had no books or nothing to read I would surely die. Thanks for this lovely post and topic. The photo is divine. It should be framed and placed in a library.

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  13. Aw how sweet - You're never REALLY homeless if you have a book. Cool

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  14. @Mitr - ditto - thanks a ton for coming by darling
    @A - LOL - love the butter smeared on toast : )
    @Tameka - Yes I think the picture is really priceless - it took my breath away - thanks a ton for your lovely comment
    @Anna - Thank you very much

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  15. I have been a bread baker and a photographer .this is so true in so many ways. Excellent topic and as always you do it great justuce



    http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/06/something-completely-different-today.html

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  16. Great post and topic!

    Books are the ultimate portal through which many worlds await. I pity those who refuse the journey.

    In related news, bookstores are struggling to survive in the face of digital technology; so be sure to spread your love to their shelves, lest these beautiful haunts vanish like soda fountains into the mists of time forgotten...:)

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  17. @Jim - you forgot to add story teller - thank you so much for your words as always
    @ Paul - so very true - how can digital technology ever bring to us the smell of books, the passion with each page and so much more. Thank you so much for coming by - appreciate it very very much ...

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  18. Hello Kriti -

    I love the way you think as you wonder about the homeless man and his possessions. I am, much like you in my thought but please I refuse to dress like you ladies. I just can't do it so no stilettos for me thank you (but I'll be looking at all the pretty legs in those stilettos). Sorry, but I just have too look you know ;) hahaha.

    I observe people and wonder. What they did last night...why they chose the clothes they're wearing...what happened to make them feel, think, or act the way that they do. Nicely done Kriti. :)

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  19. books tell a story in away no other medium cam. great haunting post thank you and god bless

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  20. How inspiring as usual. You never disappoint me. Beautiful!

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  21. well said, friend!

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  22. Great post and so truly inspiring!

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  23. Wow. I think if I were in his position, I'd cling to the same things; if books are an escape from reality, that's sure a time they're needed.

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  24. Yes, that picture is a narrative that speaks volumes. Like yourself, I like becoming characters in books and it's a little like acting out in my head :-)
    www.totsymae.com

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  25. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I am really loving this blog tour. ;-)

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  26. Love the idea of living many lives through books. I so agree. Through my books I've lived in many countries, many ages, and have so many experiences. Excellent post!

    http://www.mariscamera.blogspot.com/

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  27. I learned to write by reading books! I'd never even read a book on writing before I wrote my first 400-page novel. Books are teachers. They open worlds to us that we would never otherwise know about. Books are my good friends and I treasure them!

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  28. I loved it, Kriti. Very well put.

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  29. Not sure if the world will end if we don't have books. It's what's in them that counts- the ideas, the visions, the adventures, history, knowledge. And with E-book readers, books as we know them for the masses may come to an end.
    But E-book readers may bring all that info to the masses more cheaply than in the past and that's good.

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  30. Loved your post! I am so happy I am on the Blog-A-Licious Tour! What a great way to meet and read new writes/bloggers!

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  31. Love your first quote! So true. I have all kinds of experiences and knowledge just from reading. Glad to be a part of the Blog-A-Licious Tour with you!

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  32. I've always felt that books allow you to live another life and are a comfort in the worst of times. Nice post!

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  33. So true! I don't know what I would do without my reading materials. :) I love my books!

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  34. What a wonderful trip through the true freedom books give us - the adventure of living something else! Even if it is horrific, it is another experience and, for that, it is invaluable! This homeless man must deeply understand this as you do Kriti, and hangs on to what he needs for his sustenance: water and fantastic voyages!

    I love this post, I love the quotes and how the picture brings them all together!

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  35. Great post Kriti! So happy to be on the tour with you! Loved the picture, your questions are exactly why we read, to discover the answers!

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  36. @Charlie - ok I will spare you the stilettos - LOL. I wonder a lot like you do too - thanks for coming by friend

    @Roy - thank you so much!

    @Sonia - thank you so much Sonia - that is a lot encouragement!

    @Sukanya - thank you so much!

    @Shaeeza - so glad you liked it!

    @Shelley - so true! But one must really be brave to make that decision! Thanks a ton for coming by.

    @Tosh - I love character playing. I love that pic too. I was stuck on that spot for the longest time!

    @Janet - thank you - loved the tour myself.

    @Mari - you and I have done many similar things - thanks a ton for coming by

    @Paula - you are truly an achiever! I am so inspired by you!

    @ JOhn - thank you so much!

    @Jimshu - But of course what is a book but what it is made of...

    @Lovebabz- exactly my sentiments - lovely to meet you and thank you for coming by!

    @Lisa - yes books can add so many experiences that we haven't really lived. Great to meet you too.

    @Wosushi - thank you very much!

    @Sonia - me too! Thank you for coming by!

    @Nicole - I love love love your comment - you know what I must have felt when I saw this sight - thank you so very much for coming by...

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  37. So great to discover you and your blog, Kriti. What a lively discussion on your deceptively simple post - I think I will be haunted by that man and his books.

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  38. @Tina - thank you so much for coming by. Yes it is a very simple post but with a real deep learning, understanding, compassion and so much more ...

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  39. Kriti...a beautiful photo...filled with a story..all you need to do is open that book...

    No matter where this man is,he can be transported to another reality, just for a moment..maybe a place to be all that he was and could be again...

    And maybe...this was the most important item he had left...and was thankful, he still had his Books...and hope!

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  40. @Ravenmyth - exactly my sentiments - those books are probably all he needs... Thanks a ton for coming by and your thoughtful comment.

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  41. Kriti - This post made me look back at my books with more love and respect than the intense feelings that I already have for them; what a nightmarish reminder not to lose an opportunity to express my adoration for them again and again; what a mercilessly haunting idea of a possible world without books!

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  42. I too have seen many a homeless person with a ratty paperback in their hands. And I'm jealous!

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  43. @Jindagi - it really is an urgent reminder not only to cherish our books which are treasures in themselves but also to cherish everything we have and be grateful for it! Thank you for coming by...

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  44. @Jealous really??? Would love to know more about that... Thank you so very much for coming by sweets!

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  45. The picture says so very much. I have not traveled nearly as much as I would like, not physically anyway. But through books I have seen lands in far off places and became friends with people from all walks of life. Reading is an endless journey with infinite possibilities.

    I discovered the tour on Book Blogs and what a delight it is!

    Great post, splendid writing!

    Stacey@ www.thewritetomakealiving.com

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  46. I love my books. I would be that man, take my dog and my books with me. Pretty much all I need. Lovely read, Kriti!

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  47. @Stacey - much the same with me - Even though I have travelled a fair amount the rest I do through my books. I am so glad you liked it here and thanks a ton for the follow!

    @Tammy - I am sure! Thanks so much for coming by : )

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  48. Regarding "only one life to live," my take on books is a little different than most. Were it not for the books I devoured, blocking out the rants, screaming and even sirens around me, I'm not sure I ever would have made it to adulthood, certainly not within the realm of sane.

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  49. Escaping once in a while in a good book is like stepping into another world (life) I don't think I'd be very sane if I couldn't do that. Great post Kriti!

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  50. What a great point of view! I definitely feel like I've walked a mile in someone else's shoes after I read a good book.

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  51. @Rachel - Thank you for coming by and sharing your thoughts. Glad you agree with mine : )

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  52. This is sad but at the same time, so very beautiful. The word of God IS the bread of LIFE!!! Where would all of us be without the gift of the Bible? I am a bookaholic and I loved this!!! ;)

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  53. @Farfalla - thanks a ton for reading me and my thoughts on the topic. "where would be without books" - a very scary thought indeed

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  54. loved it! a world of books is like life without oxygen....
    one thing i ought to have if i meet the same fate as the man you describe in your post.

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  55. I am sure Sukanya - thank you so much for coming by : )

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