‘Still Life with Bread Crumbs’ writer Anna Quindlen once said, “Books are the plane, the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” Summarizing, she said book to be a part of life. In a world of hectic course books, novels have never stopped to baffle people over a long time.

Let it be from your favorite writer or let it be a book you see while stopping by the library, there are no excuses for reading. People read them because it’s either their passion to read or they like the story. 

Not only reading, people have their own words for them which are used to define them as a book lover. They call themselves ‘Book Worm’, ‘Book Freak’ and so on. Though they are lovers, their preference doesn’t always match. Some love fiction, others love biopic and so on.

To know about the fondness of the books and their view especially toward the Nepali books, My City team asked various students who are big book aficionados. Here are what they said:

Kusum Basnet

Bsc. IT, International School of Management and Technology

a. What genre novel do you normally read?

There's no exact genre for me. I like all kinds of novel.

b. Favorite book and writer.

My favorite books are ‘Brida’, ‘The Kite Runner’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. I adore books written by Khaled Hosseni and Paulo Coelho.

c. What are your views on Nepali books?

Nepali novels tend to have this strong effect while I read them. I find them captivating because of the strong effects that portray the society. For me, Nepali books are the amalgamation of picture of the society and their emotions.

d. In your opinion, how does reading novels help students?

Not only novels, but all kinds of books help students. Let alone course books, sometimes reading a captivating story might enlighten students in some ways. Besides, books are great platform for learning about life and history. 

e. How do you manage time?

I read mostly at night, before going to bed. During vacations, I read a lot of books.

f. How do you get books?

I used to issue books from library while I was in school. Now, I buy some of them and also  lend books from close friends.

Sameer P Baniya

Undergraduate at University of Louisiana Monroe, USA

a. What genre of novel do you normally read?

Well, I read all genres of books but top-rated books are the ones I like reading. It’s because of their massive popularity and people’s gossips. However, if a book is philosophical and gives the perception of life, I will hardly miss it.

b. Favorite book and writer.

Well, I can go all day naming the books I have loved. I love Paulo Coelho, Khaled Hosseini and Nicholas Sparks a lot. If I ever have to choose a book as my favorite, it will definitely be ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. I really loved ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ too. 

c. What are your views on Nepali novels?

Amongst the Nepali books, I really loved ‘Palpasa Cafe’ by Narayan Wagle. I read books which I like despite the languages.

d. In your opinion, how does reading novels help students?

I think novel-reading helps in imagination. In my view, it provides closer looks on life, may it be a fantasy or nonfiction.

e. How do you manage time?

I read novel as a bed-time must task. So, it perfectly fits into my schedule. 

f. How do you get books?

While I was in Nepal I had a friend circle. Every one of us purchased our favorites and we circulated the books. Now in USA, I get pre owned books from sites like thriftsbooks and eBay. Books from those shops are really cheap and worth it at the same time.

Anish Gautam 
Passed out student, Global College of Management

a. What genre novel do you normally read?

Of all the books, I mostly read books which motivate me. 

b. Favorite book and writer.

Talking about writers, I really love Chetan Bhagat, though people around me don’t like him much. Well, my favorite book is ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.

c. What are your views on Nepali books?

There is not enough promotion of the books. Because of which readers hardly find those books. Nepali books are very interesting and have the potentiality to grow not only in Nepal but also in the international market. 

d. In your opinion, how does reading novels help students?

Reading a novel takes somebody into other’s world. Being in that world, eventually, readers are on their imagination of their own world. Besides; reading skills, the vocabulary  also improves. 

e. How do you manage time?

I wake up before my parents. I read once in the morning and then during the night, when all my family members are busy watching Television. 

f. How do you get books?

I buy. But sometimes, library and pdf files are okay too.

Brigid Shrestha
Theatre student, Sarwanam Theatre

a. What genre novel do you normally read?

I am a multi genre book lover. However, thriller genre is what makes me baffled. I love suspense books in which there are ‘What?’ moments.

b. Favorite book and writer.

I like Paulo Coelho’s books but I really loved ‘Nathiya’ by Saraswati Pratikshya. It’s one of my favorite books ‘till date.

c. What are your views on Nepali novels?

In my view, literature is like a mirror. Mainly, people discourage reading Nepali novels over western ones because of their taste. But Nepali books are the ones which portray the stories as we see in our real life. There are no reasons for to not like reading Nepali books.

d. In your opinion, how does reading novels help students?

Not only for students, reading novels equally helpful for every people. You will learn about the perspectives and perceptions of life. The empty mind which was once corrupt by evil thoughts is likely to change if a person has a good book in his/her hands. Despite the improvement in vocabulary and writing skills, reading enables to know many things and developing the mindset as well.

e.  How do you manage time?

I cannot sleep at night. So, reading is all I do when I have no sleep. 

f. How do you get books?

If somebody is a book worm, he/she will buy books because of their passion to own a library at home. Having said that, I always buy books which I wish to read. I don’t say ‘No’ to library either.