6 things to learn from Eva and her love of books

Recently I finished a book called "The book of lost names" by Kristin Harmel. The story is a beautiful tale of love, integrity and hope from one of the most gruesome war of human history. Eva, the protagonist starts forging documents for identification for Jewish in order to save them from the cruelty of German Nazis. As the story unfolds how Eva did what she did to save the people and the support she received from well intended people; we also get to know the love she has for books in general. Here are few excerpts copied from the book which I have noted down for myself and something I totally align myself with. I want to keep coming back to these quotes and remember how wonderful book lovers/readers are.

1. The protagonist (Eva) thinking about her father

"He had taught her to love reading, one of the greatest gifts a parent could give a child, and in doing so, he had opened the world to her."

2. Eva while visiting a bookstore and meeting its owner

"Eva refused to believe that a person who had made a life from books could have evil in her heart."

3. Eva while visiting the church's library for the first time

"Books, wherever they were in the world, always felt like home to her."

4. The church's priest talking about the what bookstore's owner felt about Eva

"When she came to see me, she said that anyone who saw the magic in books had to be good.”

5. Old Eva while waiting for her flight and watching a preschooler engrossed in a coloring book

"I’ve always thought that it’s those children—the ones who realize that books are magic—who will have the brightest lives." 

6. Old Eva while visiting the library in modern day Germany

"Once you’ve fallen in love with books, their presence can make you feel at home anywhere, even in places where you shouldn’t belong."

Get yourself noticed

A few days ago I was reading a book called "Show your work" by Austin Kleon . And like it always happen, I was trying to relate it to my past experience. First thing first, the book is a wonderful source through which the author conveys his action plan to get oneself noticed. The simple yet profound insights which also includes his creative images, anecdotes and examples will surely leave impact on reader's mind. The book is definitive step by step tool to showcase ones creative talent.

Now, coming back to the experience which I was reminded of while reading the book. I was on my way to Asansol (a city in West Bengal, India), where we stopped midway at a place called Shaktigarh for meals. The place beside the highways is crowded by sweetmeat shops, coconut water, chaats (an Indian street savoury snack which is a mixture of sweet curd, puffed rice, boiled potato, etc.). Among everything else I was attracted mostly to a man who had decorated his stall in such a beautiful manner that one could not take eyes off him. I was astonished to see the process and efforts he had applied for him to get noticed. I quickly got my phone out and took his photo.