I am an avid reader! Most of the times I have found a few questions unanswered at the end of a book and while I re-articulated certain aspects of the conclusion, I was not sure what the author would feel about it!
Hence, when I got to learn of this concept from The Uncommon Box and the opportunity to attend the first ever Human Library event as a part of Team TUB, there was absolutely no giving it a second thought.
Just arrived!
Arriving at the venue – Title Waves, Bandra, Mumbai for the first Human Library event, I was awed by the crowd present! Amongst the crowd were several volunteers of Human Library Mumbai in black Human Library Mumbai tees and denims, all geared up and prepared for the big turn-out at the event. The process from registering as a reader to choosing a book and getting the reader card was a breeze.
My next thought was how they would manage to hold the session with the books at the store in such a way that the book and readers could interact peacefully, without being disturbed or disturbing the other customers. I didn’t have to wait long for the answer, as the moment I entered the store I saw that neatly arranged in some secluded corners of the store were comfortable seating arrangements for a gathering of 8-10 people. That was where the book would be seated with the readers gathered around him/her.
These non-fictional books with example of real life experiences varied from different genres including the story of a female journalist (‘Eager to Win, Not to please’) who stood strong against all the hardships in life with no one else but herself to fall back on; a female traffic warden (‘Not under my watch’) who shares her story with a smile and inspires many to introspect; and the life of a single 38 year old woman who is ready to share all her love with you but on one condition! (‘Love dough or don’t’).
Kudos to the Human Library Mumbai team and Title Waves management for conducting this amazingly well organized event on a Sunday evening which otherwise is a busy time at Title Waves!
Meeting Andaleeb Qureshi
Andaleeb Qureshi, is the charming and enthusiastic lady who brought the Human Library event to Mumbai.
“She feels this will bring about a revolution that will open up avenues for expressing life- changing experiences where more and more people would come forward and share their stories without the fear of being judged.”
I met her at the registration desk and she made me feel absolutely warm and comfortable. The excellent response to this first event and the reader’s feedback has been highly encouraging for Human Library Mumbai. This surely has strengthened her resolve to make the Human Library Mumbai a monthly event, hoping for continuous additions of new human books to their already growing collection, for readers to come and encounter with live.
Concept :
“Reading is a one way communication. You absorb the words from the books and at times even comprehend or interpret it in your own way.”
A typical library would be a place filled with loads of books and silence. You either borrow a book and leave or sit there and read in silence for hours. I love the library where it is just me and my book. However, this unique concept of Human Library was something entirely different.
“A Human Library has walking-talking interactive books. It is like being in the world of your human book, getting a first person perspective while experiencing the emotion that the words portray.”
You could actually have a conversation with the book inviting readers to indulge into a question answer session, which was an exciting and enlightening experience in itself. Reader or non-reader – one would surely love to be at this library.
Given a chance would you like to re-attend?
With an inquisitive mind full of excitement I had entered the bookstore. I was looking forward to experiencing my first ever session, allowing me to interact with my book. And it proved to be the experience of a lifetime. My session with my book has definitely left an impact on me. I am sure it has also been the same for the others who attended as well.
Reading a book will never be the same as before for me.
“Human Library gives the reader and their reading experience a human touch.”
I will definitely not miss out on any such opportunities to be at a Human Library again. And I urge everyone to attend the Human Library event and experience the interaction with their books!
On behalf of the entire team at TUB and book lovers in Mumbai, we thank Human Library for initiating this uncommon concept and applaud Andaleeb Qureshi’s successful effort to bring this to our own Aamchi Mumbai.
We sincerely wish for Human Library to flourish across the world and see its collection of human books grow multifold.
The Uncommon Box invites collaborations and associations for all kinds of events. We will be more than happy to promote events which support and encourage all art forms. Mail us at theuncommonbox@gmail.com
This event was reviewed by Tasneem Bharmal in association with The Uncommon Box.
We encourage all kind of creative work whether articles, poems, sketches, doodling, painting, food styling or about fashion or travelling or photography.
If you are on instagram follow us @TheUncommonBox and use our hashtag #TheUncommonBox for the same.
You can reach us on FB Page too by following our page “THE UNCOMMON BOX”. and can tweet @THEUNCOMMONBOX
