Treasure Hunting

I am half way through ‘The Haj’ by Leon Uris. It is an interesting read and I will post my thoughts on it when I am finished.

So this book has been part of Ninad's book collection for years. I was always intrigued but never got around to reading it. I finally picked it up as part of my ongoing 'retro books' fever.

And if old is what I was looking for, old is what I got. This one is an absolute treasure. It is battered and bruised as a testimony to its age. Infact it fell apart in my hands when I began to read and Ninad had to duck tape its spine before I could continue.

One day I was sprawled on the couch delicately turning the pages of the book, When I turned to N and asked "Where did you find this book?" ,

“At this small second hand books stall in Mahim about 7 years ago.”, he replied.

I smiled warmly. You see, I have a special place in my heart for hole in the wall second hand book shops. The smile disappeared when he added, “ I went back a couple of years ago when I was in the vicinity . It’s not there anymore.”

I looked ruefully at the book in my hands. I was just reminded of what I already knew. I might never own another one like it. The only old books I’ll have are ones that will age in my possession.  

I am not being dramatic. The culture of second hand books is dying fast, if not dead already. Atleast in my experience it is.

The few that are still functional are nothing like the ones that were around earlier. I’ve been to quite a few in the past couple of years hoping to find a decent book to buy.

The only second hand books that I found were either pirated versions of popular books or trashy reads that are bought by the dozen at a small price and then thrown out once read. No thank you.

This is not the only problem. Once I went into a store in Pune that looked like it stocked second hand books. The rear end of the premises was used to pile old news papers and other throwaways, while the front had shelves with old books. Most of it was the usual rubbish. I picked out one and asked a very cocky and disinterested shop attendant the price. He wanted 90% of the cover price of the book and it was non-negotiable. I pointed out that it was a second hand book and pirated at that, the cover price would not apply even if it was new. He responded in what I think is his trademark nonchalance , “Lena hain tho lo, Koi zabardasti nahin hain”.

He softened slightly on seeing the hurt expression on my face and explained, “Library chalane main zyada fayda hain. Sirf tabhi bechte hain jab bahut accha daam mile”.

I think the blame for the death of second hand books can be squarely placed on our new found prosperity. Back in the day, people didn’t have money to fund such luxuries as non academic books. So book lovers kept their passion alive by buying second hand books and promptly selling them back in the market when they were done. The money thus made was used to buy more second hand books. People found pleasure in reading and not in owning books. A small amount of money could keep you well read.

We now live in times of plenty, never mind the recession. People who like to read walk into a swanky book store or log on to their favourite online portal and buy books by the dozen. Many of these books remain unread for months if not years as they are bought at a pace faster than they can be read. People who have no interest in reading buy books too, for their decorative value.

These books remain forever with the first owner or some irresponsible person who has borrowed the book and never returned it. Only the really lucky ones will be opened and read again. These books live out their lives as show pieces on a shelf.

I am guilty of this as well. I have never sold a book in my life. Infact if someone asks to borrow one of my books, I am physically pained.

The pleasure I find in losing myself in an old copy of ‘The Haj’ has given me food for thought. I don’t think I’ll be ready to part with my books any time soon. But I’ve decided to re-read all of them before I go crazy on flipkart again. Maybe someday I’ll be ready to let go of some of them. Someday.