World Book Day, 2023- Show Your Inner Bookworm!

One of the oldest forms of knowledge in the world, books are ever present in multiple shapes and forms whether they are children’s storybooks, novels, encyclopaedias, textbooks, and so on. And the people, ubiquitously known as ‘Bookworms’ love reading them with many having the surprising capability of reading hundreds of pages in a matter of a few days, something that many of us cannot even comprehend! But enough about them! We are here to celebrate books on this World Book Day.

On that note, we at Things2do would like to call upon all book lovers and provide them with a guide to some of the best things you can do in Mumbai if you are a book lover, or a book nerd (we don’t judge *wink wink*). Read, read, and away!

1Visit The Iconic Asiatic Society

If you are a book lover who also loves all things that are antique then the Asiatic Society is where you should be on that day. Constructed in the early 1800s, this library’s architecture boasts of iconic Greek and Roman influences while the interiors boast of wooden flooring and iconic iron spiral staircases that would simply leave you in awe. Apart from a marble statue and painting-adorned quaint reading room, this library boasts of a collection of over 25000 rare books, manuscripts, scrolls, etc. Although you need to get a membership to do so, the rich literary collection inside is totally worth every single rupee you spend over there!

2Enhance Your Knowledge At David Sassoon Library

Don’t worry you sophisticated and academic book lovers as we have got something in store for you as well at the David Sassoon Library. A library that is even older than the Asiatic Society, this library boasts of an ancient collection of over 70000 books that date as far back as the 18th Century with books on social sciences, regional language literature, etc. A library that was named as one of the world’s 47 classical libraries, this literary haven also has an idyllic garden consisting of multiple fruit trees like jackfruit, mango, and coconut trees.

3Time To Break The Tradition

As the heading suggests, Wayward & Wise, Ballard Estate, is one such bookstore where you can do exactly that. The founders of this place had a special idea in mind while curating the collection of books that does not consist of the same popular titles you find everywhere else. Some of the unusual books found here include ‘The Book of Imaginary Beings’ by Jorge Luis Borges and even books on the culinary arts by the likes of Anthony Bourdain. It is time to expand your knowledge base and explore what else is out there in the world.

4Read For A Cause

When was the last time you thought that you could make a dent in poverty, uplift lives, and make our streets safer just by reading and eating? Because at Bombay to Barcelona Library Cafe, you can do just that. This cafe provides employment to street children and everyone is equally paid for their work which keeps them away from the violence and the bad elements of society. Apart from being on this noble journey, the cafe has an extensive library where people can take a book provided they replace it with a different book that has a personalised note as to what their thoughts were about that book. While you sit in the café reading your book, munch on some delicious snacks available like muffins, sandwiches, and bhajiya. A heavenly experience altogether.

5Join A Book Club

BYOB…No! It is not what you are thinking of lmao. No alcohol here (maybe) but only books. The Mumbai chapter of Bring Your Own Book is one of the most thriving communities of book lovers in India and is also one of the most active. Members of this book club usually meet at a café, parks, or at the houses of its members. It is a space where members are free to bring whichever book they like and talk about it, with everyone else following suit. You can even exchange a book with someone which promotes a healthy discussion of various ideas and themes. It really is a great way to inculcate reading into our daily lives and enrich ourselves.  

A book is our story, our heritage, and one of the few tangible ways to preserve them. In an age where electronic devices and screens are taking over our lives, why not give your body a rest from using them and curl up in your blanket with a nice book. Having said that, we at Things2do hope that this guide has encouraged you to take up reading or find new activities to do after having read your favourite book. Come and let’s preserve books forever on this World Book Day!

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by Ritvik Agarwal

Content Writer at Things2do