Dehradun, Oct. 26 -- The Books from My Shelves

There are not many books on my shelf. Much less than those I have read in the past. And there are reasons for it.

In a 37 year career with the Indian Railways spread across 7 states, one had to shift homes multiple times - 16 to be precise. Thus, the first reason - keep it light. Gift away what one has read and do not intend to read again. And not proactively seek return of a book borrowed by someone else.

Not all books come cheap. Enter the library (and in younger days, the lending library) where one can read what one does not intend to purchase. IIC membership in Delhi gives me that opportunity and nearer home, I intend joining the Doon Library.

It fills me with a sense of pique if I bu...