Bookstores are such fun places to visit. These days I do not get as much time nor do I frequent them much. I guess online shopping makes me buy my books at the click of a button. But, the charm of sitting quietly in a bookstore poring over books for hours makes me nostalgic. Many an hour has been spent with a cup of coffee and a book in bookstores across cities. When I was expecting, I remember spending entire days in Border’s reading one book after another on pregnancy and children. 🙂
Incidentally, one Sunday recently, I got the opportunity to relive those memories. My son had one of his multiple Olympiad finals to attend in a day. The Center was a fair bit away from our house. In addition, the two exams were spaced out by many hours. Therefore, to kill the time in the interim, we decided to visit the nearby Crossword. After ages, the entire family was at a bookstore. While I picked up a couple of books to read, my sons had their own share of stuff they wished to browse through. It being Sunday, the store came to life slowly. I especially enjoyed the instrumental music that was playing – soft and romantic, very in tune with the romance in the air.
I spent some quality quiet time with the books when even the kids left me alone. There was also an engaging storytelling session in progress.
The bookstores also had their fair share of romantic goodies and chocolates.
Later we visited a mall which was decked up with hearts, balloons, teddies and what have you. And an opportunity to be Hulk. 🙂
We then headed to treat the kids to some tacos and burritos. While coming back, we also saw with delight the Tabebuia in bloom. Spring is here, and it is spectacular in Bangalore.
Thus was rounded up a Sunday well spent with my family and #MyAsusZenfone for company.
These are the days one day to be remembered as good old days..family outings together flipping through pages, kids playing tantrums., mom rolling eyes and then giving up to some innocent demand… 🙂
Nicely put, Prasad. Family memories are made of these. Thanks for reading.
Such a wonderful day Rachna…Such fun with the whole family na…It reminds me of the Sundays in Shillong…
How lovely! Yes, completely enjoyed it.
Hmmm….you took me back to our Bangalore visit days with my sons/kids. We used to start from Hosur in the morning with my friends and their kids. We used to visit Gangarams and brouse books over there for a couple of hours and buy some. It was an old bookstore and very famous in those days. I still remember how interesting it was for me and the kids. Have lunch somewhere, go to a movie and come back home in the evening. It was real fun. 6 kids and 3 adults’ day out, it was.
I can feel how you were feeling after seeing the beautiful pictures!
Yes, I remember Gangaram’s. There was an Indian Coffee House closeby. After ages, we went out on a Sunday for a leisurely day. It was lovely.
Looks like you all had a great day at the bookstore. The first photograph is lovely, really captures the quiet fun you had with all those books around and in that ambiance. Yes these days buying books via internet has really robbed us of that special experience of being surrounded by all those books. Lovely post, Rachna.
Yep, thr husband clicked it. All of us squeezing in on one small stool. 🙂 Reading a bit here and there and then buying what you like. It is such a personal experience.
Ah! The good old days at the book store. As much as I enjoy ‘clicking’ for the books to be delivered, from the comfort of my own home, there’s nothing quite like the experience of skimming through the pages, the conundrum of ‘do I buy what I want or take advantage of the Buy 3 get 1 free offer’ and everything else. I still steal some time away from everyone and disappear off to any bookstore I can find.
Enjoyed the post, Rachna
Thanks, Sid. Yes, indeed, such fun times.
I haven’t spend much in book stores, but it is a nice feeling…to be surrounded by books all over 🙂 So, did you buy any?
Oh yes! You can’t go to a bookstore and not buy. 🙂
Beautiful post Rachna. It’s indeed sad that we barely visit book stores these days. But along with online bookstores, malls have contributed to it. The number of mobile stores outweigh books stores 100:1 I think. I miss the peace and serenity of a store and simply sitting there for hours, undisturbed, reading a book.
Great to see that your family had a good time. You’re inculcating the right habits in your children…
I agree, Vishal. Thanks for your warm words. Glad you liked the post.
Unfortunately for book lovers, most bookstores in Gurgaon like the Landmark and Oxford are closing down. With Flipkart and Amazon, the business in unsustainable.
I love the cute Hulk.
Yes, it’s the same situation everywhere, Alka. They are headed to a demise.
Last time I remember I spent together with my grown up children at the Chai Bar in Bangalore.
Experience and Fun it was
Yes, time spent at bookstores is a lot of fun
Ah, bookshops. My very topmost favorite shopping place. Could spend hours in the cozy cocoon of books.
Nice to know that, Sweety.
Any day spent at a bookstore is a fantastic day for me. 🙂 Good to see a family of bookworms having a nice day out! The pic with your son as Hulk is too cute. 🙂
Thanks, Ami. Welcome here.
Perfect outing – a visit to a bookstore 🙂
So it was. 🙂
What a lovely way to spent the day! 🙂 I can also get “lost” in a bookstore for hours. Nice to see photos of trees blooming in Springtime. We’re in the deep freeze here, with plenty of snow still on the ground.
I agree, Debbie. A fun way to spend a Sunday it was. Yes, the weather is already quite warm.
We do that frequently, Rach. We have lots of those nameless second hand book stores around our area – they just hire a huge hall and fill it up with a variety of categories of books – and they are well worth the visit.
I adore that photo of Sid! 😀
Indeed, they are! I must do this more often with the family. Yes, I love that pic too. Have one of Gautam as well. 😀
You are right, buying online is easy but nothing can beat the charm of being surrounded by the books. Looks like boys had a great time. Beautiful clicks.
Indeed time at a book shop is the best outing.