Long before I had experienced firsthand what nostalgia felt like, I had felt it vicariously
Through stories of displacement, immigration, moving away from one’s parent country
Before I knew what loss and grief felt like, those emotions I had imbibed
In reading world literature, I had internalized the words that described
The unsettling sense of loss, the pervasiveness of grief
Before I had solidified my belief systems, I had incorporated the beliefs
Of writers from all over the world whose works I admired
Before I had experienced love and longing, I had learnt the language of desire
*
The world came closer to my doorstep with each book I read
Before experiences shaped me, I was moulded by the words in my head
In the pages of books, for my feelings validation I have found
At every stage of life, I have had a pivotal book around
With books my life is inextricably intertwined
Throughout my life books have framed my mind
Passion...unbridled 
Books are wonderful. Very well said here!
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Thank you! I can talk about books endlessly
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Me, too! I don’t remember if I told you but my nextdoor neighbor and I trade books. She gave me ‘Theo of Golden’ to read. Have you read it? It is a lovely book. I am not a history or sci-fi book lover. Fiction works well for me. I don’t know why so many people frown on fiction.
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Yes I have read the book. It is a lovely book and it is set in Georgia where I currently live. Fiction is wonderful, although I do like history books too. (My favorite genre is historical fiction).
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