Carpe Diem Society

March 11th was the beginning of the month of Ramadan for Muslims this year and as one, of course I had fasted —and currently still fasting the month as well. I have also been taking advantage of the healthy aspects of the practice and hitting the GYM regularly. More quality family time and less for myself. As I had expected, not enough time for me to grab a book, relax and read. I often times found myself reading with my headphones in the midst of chaos, kids running around, TV blasting, family yelling over their own created noises. And, to top it all, being constantly interrupted to pour the tea.

Nonetheless, reading around my family has a different feeling to it than the quiet of my room or the ASMR background noise of a cafe with uncomfortable seats. It felt homely and I did enjoy it especially during a time we were all joined in a holy experience.

I have read two books, three if you squint: Dune and What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. And the third one, I’m not counting in the book review. It belongs to an Arab author. I searched for an English version so I could write my review on it here but it seemed there is none at the moment.

Dune

Initially, before I had delved into this series, I knew it had to do with the desert. But for some reason, I did not make the obvious connection with the desert people. Going in with high hopes having heard great things about it since the first movie —never got into actually watching it, I thought I would be highly impressed whatever it contained. I think we are all officially sick of the Western eye whether the viewer is an Arab or Western themselves. Everyone has finally woken up to realize just how much the image and idea of Arabs and their culture had been intensely altered and played with in such extremity for literal centuries. Yes, not couple years, centuries. All starting from Arabian Nights (The One and One Thousand Nights) to now Dune.

Dune triggered some anger I had felt as an Arab in Orientalism class back in university, studying Edward Said’s essays and discussing the insane amount of lies created about our culture and snow balled over the centuries. Oddly, there are redeeming factors going through this book. The narration is laced with incredible philosophical thoughts that tickled my brain, only for it to bring up the Massiah and make my face scrunch in distaste. Am I going to continue reading the series? Maybe. But not anytime soon.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

You simply can’t not come out of reading this book as the same person you were before you read it! It was a great pleasure reading the stories of the characters. Though each one of them have a completely different life and each one is on a different stage and have a different career or unemployed, somehow, all are connected by one thing: they are all searching for what they really seek in life. “Is this the life I wanted” seemed to run through all of our character’s mind. The relatability that consumes you of each individual is uncanny. I felt like my life anxieties and fears were being told magically through some book characters.

If hospitals and pharmacies are the antidote for physical health then libraries and books are the antidote for mentality and direction. It is not like the library and the books they read, through some mysterious supernatural power solved their life issues. The books served as a guide, a hint on which way to go and what step to take next. In the end, they themselves found their own way. One of my many conclusions of the novel —in which will be shared in my full review of the book— is that, we don’t always necessarily go about our lives with conviction and all knowing of exactly what we want. Most of the time you discover your passion through a leisure practice or tinkering with something new. That’s when you discover: yes, this is what I want to do now and for the rest of my life. It comes to you like a revelation.

Reading this month was not that easy when I had to focus on religious practices and a good quality time with my family and my workouts. I have also wanted to read more books but it’s obviously difficult to do so. Yet, I’m more than jubilant about my book choices in the whirlwinds of March. Reading “bad” books is also a healthy experience. I mean, I liked the narration, that’s something. I will attempt watching the Dune movies and focus more on the cinematic aspects. Hopefully I will also find something in it to enjoy.