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Hello everyone! Today, I want to share my experience visiting an incredible home library in Kerala. If you’re not familiar, Kerala is a state in the south of India—though not as far south as where my family is from.

Nestled in a cozy and artsy home is a library that is nothing short of a bibliophile’s dream. This literary abode belongs to Mrs. Ragini Krishnan and Mr. Kunhikrishnan Nambiar. Mr. Nambiar is a celebrated author and the former Deputy Director General of Doordarshan, India’s pioneering TV channel. His career in media and literature is inspiring but it is his private library that truly showcases his passion for the written word.

Their house is situated on a tree-filled lot, surrounded by lush greenery. A traditional swing graces the entryway. Inside, the walls are beautifully adorned with mural art created by Mrs. Krishnan and a diverse collection of cultural artifacts from the couple’s travels around the world.

I brought along a book, as I usually do when I am at relatives’ houses, unless there are kids to play with. After lunch, I spent some time reading, and our hosts noticed how much I enjoyed it. They decided to show me their home library, and what I found there was truly astonishing.

The room was packed with over 5,000 books—English, Malayalam (a language spoken in Kerala), Japanese, and books from all over the world. It was an enormous collection, and it wasn’t even all they had. They frequently have to give away books to make room for new ones because their library is always overflowing.

When they had the library built, they asked the builder to make it as large as possible with as many shelves as he could fit. He agreed but made a mistake: he didn’t make it big enough. He had planned for around 5,000 books, but the collection had grown to 10,000. The builder jokingly said, “You could just give the extra books to me.”, so that’s exactly what they did, and what they’ve been doing ever since the library was finished: New books replace old ones on the shelves, and the old ones get sent of to the builder.

They put all their favorite books in the library to relax and escape from their daily worries. While I admire the collection, I wonder how they manage to find specific books. It must be quite a challenge without an organized inventory.

I didn’t have time to read all the books during my visit, but I plan to pick one up next time. It’s wonderful to see someone who loves books as much as I do, and I want to encourage my viewers to embrace reading. Reading is incredibly important—it sparks creativity, imagination, and teaches us about the world. It can even shape your character and perspective, opening doors to new opportunities and personal growth.

Libraries are not just about storing books; they hold memories, research, and offer pleasures like entertainment, inspiration, and nostalgia. As Plato said, a library has a soul, reflecting the interests and passions of its owner.

I’d also like to tell you about my future home library.

If I were to build my own library—and I definitely plan to—I would start with an extremely comfy daybed. To enhance comfort, I’d add reading buddies and fill the room with all my favorite books. I’d decorate it with plants, decorations, and posters to create a pleasant atmosphere.

I’d also include a system to help me locate specific books, such as a well-organized shelf or catalog. Although cataloging everything might be time-consuming, it would be worth it to have the library organized exactly the way I want. My inspiration for this library comes from a picture of a cozy reading nook: a bed surrounded by books, soft pillows, and plants. I’d love to turn an entire room into a library just like that.

P.S. For new readers unsure of what they enjoy, try sharing some book titles you’ve liked with ChatGPT and ask for recommendations. You’ll get amazing suggestions that might ignite a love for reading.

Did you know that one of the world’s largest libraries is in London, with over 1.5 million books, and it’s a private collection? Another notable library is Karl Lagerfeld’s, with 300,000 books. One of the most impressive claims is a library in India with 50,000 books. Its, located in a house in India and was owned by Dr Ambedkar. It’s quite incredible that he had over 50,000 books in the early 20th century, in colonial India.

Be like these people and find your own cozy reading spot, start exploring new books, and make it your own. It can take you to wonderful places, just as it has for me.

Anyway, goodbye for now and see you later!