avatarNayanika Saikia

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A Letter to My Bookshelves

Of love, gratitude and good memories

Image by the author

My dearest shelves,

As I sit here, surrounded by your sturdy presence and the tales you hold, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and affection. You are not just wooden planks and brackets; you are the guardians of my treasures, the custodians of my imagination, and the silent storytellers of my life.

Oh, the journeys you’ve witnessed! From the pages of worn-out classics to the unexplored worlds of fantasy, you’ve been there, faithfully holding every adventure and every emotion. You’ve cradled the weight of knowledge, allowing wisdom to seep through the bindings of countless books that now stand shoulder to shoulder, creating a mosaic of stories. Some of your pages have accompanied my mother’s coming of age, and helped form my aunt’s dreams and hopes.

Your shelves have become the landscape of my dreams. Each book placed meticulously is a portal to a different realm, a doorway to enlightenment, a whisper of someone else’s truth waiting to be discovered. You’ve been a canvas for my aspirations, showcasing not just literature but a reflection of my evolving self.

You’ve seen me in my moments of joy, finding solace in the familiar spines that line your tiers. You’ve stood witness to tears shed over tragic endings and laughter that echoed while flipping through comedic anecdotes. You’ve been my refuge, a sanctuary where the chaos of the world ceases to exist, allowing me to find peace amidst your organized chaos.

But it’s not just books that adorn your surfaces. Photographs in frames, souvenirs collected from distant lands, mementos of bookmarks, feathers, ribbons and stones, marking significant milestones — they all find a home upon your welcoming shelves. Each item tells a story, weaving into the tapestry of my life, and you, dear shelves, are the stage where these stories unfold.

The way you’ve adapted, transforming from mere storage to a display of my passions and interests, is nothing short of remarkable. Your versatility to hold not just literature but pieces of my identity is awe-inspiring.

Sometimes, I catch myself lost in the maze of your contents, running my fingers over spines, reminiscing over memories attached to each item. You’ve become a time capsule, encapsulating moments that might otherwise fade away in the hustle of life.

In a world that moves at an ever-increasing pace, you remain a constant, an anchor grounding me amidst the whirlwind of change. Your reliability and constancy are a comforting embrace, a reassuring reminder that some things remain untouched by the passing of time. You are a constant entity in my life — the shore, so to speak, in my childhoood home, having seen me grow up and become the person I am today.

So, here’s to you, my beloved shelves! You are more than a piece of furniture; you are a sanctuary, a vault of wonders, a haven for my soul. Thank you for being the silent witness to my life’s journey and for holding within you the essence of who I am.

With eternal gratitude,

Nayanika

Sharing a few more pics from my beloved home library here:

Images by the author

Nayanika Saikia recently graduated with a First Class Master’s Degree in English Literature, and is currently working as an editor at a publishing house. She is also a Booktuber and Bookstagrammer. She can often be found on her Instagram account Pretty Little Bibliophile.

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