A bookworm's enemies

We know bookworms to be the bunch that enjoys reading and everything bookish. However, our joy of reading is always surrounded by some lingering enemies. Before using the Avis spell on the enemies, let's discover them.

1. DUST:

If you're a bookworm, you know the pain that dust causes.  Without cleaning your shelf regularly, you cannot get rid of dust particles comfortably settled on your hardcover jackets and paperback covers. 

Once you take a dust clad book off the shelf, you fume over the fact that you didn't take care of the shelf like you had pledged to, and your hands wear a thin shade of grey upon touching the book.  It's just annoying to see books with dust blanketed surfaces.

2. MOULD AND MILDEW:

Mould is a kind of fungus that can literally grow on anything; depending on the food source and perfect humidity. Moulds act as a strong source for the development of mildew. Despite being similar, both are not the same kind of fungus.  Mildew too needs an apt temperature and humidity level. Now compared to them, dust is nothing. Dust can easily be removed, but as for these tyrants, a bookworm needs to take effective measures to keep their neat collection unaffected. A planned caring process is needed to fight these invisible ghosts, which for many, is a daunting process, given how much planning and labour it requires.  It is heartbreaking for every bookworm to find their books under the clutches of rusty spots, edges, decolourised and porous surfaces.

3. DENTED CORNERS:

Imagine you've anxiously waited two weeks for a book with flying hopes of receiving it in a perfect and neat condition. However, after unpacking, you've found the corners damaged. Are you feeling the pain yet? If not, then you don't love books, I believe.

Dented corners always remind a bookworm of their existence. There is no chance to forget. Even when we don't read, they manage to steal our glances. While reading, we meddle with the damaged spots, thinking of handling the book as delicately as a gemstone from next time. And while being busy with something else, the fact keeps invading our attention spans and we're left thinking about the damages for a long time.

The thought always lurks in our mind.

4. BORROWERS:

I remember being alerted to the presence of a breed of people with 10/10 persuasive skills. This breed is the actual embodiment of every bookworm's nightmare. When you have a pretty amazing collection, it's very likely of your bookworm acquaintances to swarm you with their irresistible requests. The ultimate challenge here is to tactfully say no since it can break your ties with someone close if they're very sentimental.

Anyway, despite being a helper in times of distress, a huge mental support, if someone tries to borrow your book, they are definitely an enemy. For instance, I once lent a book to a very close friend of mine, who dog eared some of the pages despite my countless warnings.

N.B: Exceptions in rare cases when the borrowers take care of the books properly.

5. MONEY:

 As I'm writing this down, I am reminded of the ubiquitous quote "Money cannot buy happiness." Well, let's just say, in some cases, it definitely can.

Being on the brink of running out of money is pathetic as it closes all the doors to completing your series/author collection. Also, you have to console yourself that you won't be getting your hands on the most anticipated releases anytime soon. Hence, you have to make window shopping one of your favourite pastimes.

6. BOOK BUYING BANS:

Whether you're a student depending on parents or an earning individual, a book buying ban is intimidating for everyone. Usually, it's imposed to control going overboard with buying lots of books.

 In such periods, the temptation is hard to resist.

7. EXAMS:

Exams stand equal to enemies almost in everyone's case, not just a bookworm's. They beg for a time when you put a veil on your gates to regular escapades and dive into the real world. You feel an empty void spreading all over your body, as if a part of you is dissipating. The temptation doesn't leave of course-so doesn't the reality.

Ultimately, you have to convince yourself to stay away from the world thick with excitement for a while and think it's never too late to get back because even textbooks deserve a piece of your attention.

Now, let the flock of birds do their charm.

Shah Tazrian Ashrafi wants 2018 to be as smooth as stormtroopers missing easy shots. Send him prayers at facebook.com/shahtazrianashrafi