This National Book Lovers Day on August 9, actor Saanand Verma traces his love for reading to his childhood days. The actor says that growing up, he always had a book to read in his bag.
“I am very fond of reading books. In my childhood, I was a bookseller, starting at the age of eight. My father was a small-time book publisher, and we had a small bookshop in Patna. Instead of attending school, I sold books and read them while selling. This experience is very close to my heart. I have spent a significant amount of money building my personal library, though I often find little time to read. I always carry a book in my bag, trying to find moments to read while shooting. I also have a background in journalism, where I read and wrote extensively. I wrote three detective novels when I was just 13 or 14 years old. Books have always been an integral part of my life, something that runs in my family. My father was a literary writer from Bihar, with dozens of published works to his credit. This passion for literature is in my blood,” he says.
Talking about a personal favourite, he says, “I’ve read a book by Robin Sharma titled The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. I’ve read it multiple times because it’s incredibly inspiring and motivational. I’m a huge fan of Robin Sharma.” Ask him if he thinks the book reading culture is dying because of the internet as people are busy reading on social media platforms and browsing YouTube, and he says, “It’s unfortunate that the culture of reading physical books is declining due to the internet, with people spending more time on social media platforms and browsing YouTube. This is sad because there’s something special about the smell of a physical book—the scent that wafts up from the pages is amazing. It brings good vibes, a sense of freshness, and a very calm and peaceful feeling. We should always try to return to the culture of reading physical books and minimize our time on digital screens, whether they’re laptops, tablets, or mobile devices. Digital detoxing is important, and finding a peaceful place with lots of greenery to enjoy a book—regardless of the genre—is really beneficial for our well-being. Nothing can completely replace the experience of reading a book.”
He adds, “It’s important to remember that anything technology-dependent can malfunction or disappear. Digital devices are not permanent; they won’t last 100 years. In contrast, a physical book can be preserved for generations. A mobile phone used for listening to audiobooks won’t last a century, but a hardcover or paperback book can be saved and cherished.”
He says that digital reading can never replace the feeling of a physical book. “I strongly believe that nothing can replace the experience of reading a physical book. While the popularity of digital reading might rise, it can never fully replace physical books. Book lovers will always have a presence in this world. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Kindle or digital audiobooks. Reading on a screen doesn’t bring me joy. I’m a hardcore lover of paperbacks and hardcovers. I need to feel the pages and physically flip through them—that’s what makes me happy. I’ve never read a book on a digital screen, and I don’t think I ever will,” he says.
