To the first book that I've ever read...

Everyone remembers the first novel that they have ever read. Because the first book opens the door of imagination that we didn't know existed. The first book transported us to a new world away from all the worries of our everyday life. And when the first book ends, it always leaves us with wanting more.

The first book I've ever read is பொன்னியின் செல்வன் (Ponniyin Selvan). It is a historical fiction written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. My father is an avid reader. His work required a lot of travel and he never travels without a book. He had always wanted to instil the habit of reading in me. During the summer holidays of my eighth grade, he tried to make me read many books like Atlas Shrugged of Ayn Rand, Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie and Sujatha's stories since we had those paperback copies at home. I would always fall asleep after reading 2 pages (seriously, who gives Atlas Shrugged to a new reader??).

Finally my father got tired and borrowed Ponniyin Selvan from a library. Both my parents would make me read two chapters before I go to sleep daily. Since it was in Tamil, if I get a difficult word or sentence that I couldn't understand, my mother would help me. Slowly, it became easier and that book clicked unlike others. After around one week, I finished the first part and was feverishly waiting for my father to borrow the second part from library. By the third part, my mother had to hide the book to make me do my daily chores. At the end of the fifth part, I was crying my eyes out (anyone who have read the book would understand).

Ponniyin Selvan was the perfect blend of history, espionage, romance, court intrigue, adventure and mystery. I have read more than 200 books in both Tamil and English and I couldn't find another book like that till date. To the first book that I've ever read..🥂

What was your first book? Fiction or Non-fiction? Mention the book in comments so that I can get suggestions😛