09 December,2009 08:32 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
To a book reading club of the readers, by the readers and for the readers
If you are an avid book reader, but don't have the money to buy fresh titles then a trip to Pradnyas Book club at Aundh could turn out to be an interesting one.
A book library-cum-club, it was started by Pradnya Jawadekar some two and half years ago. Today it has around 400 members from all age groups, who are actively involved in voracious reading.
"I have been a booklover since childhood. When I shifted here, I had my doubts whether I would be able to feed my book-reading habit. It was impossible to find a place, which keeps all kinds of books. And then I thought that there could be many others like me, who must be facing the same problem. Then I started this club," said Jawadekar.
Large collection
One can find a huge collection here. There are around 5,000 fiction and non-fiction books, both in English and Marathi. Members pay a nominal fee when they borrow the books.
Jawadekar added, "When I started the club, I already had a large number of books. But during the years, members too have a large number of books to the club. To appreciate their good-will, I give them small monthly discounts."u00a0u00a0
Each day members from the age group of 5 to 85 years make their way to the club. Ethena Thomas, a member of the club, said, "As the library keep books across sections, it attracts people especially children.
"As members read a wide range of books, they give feedback to others and it helps us pick books of our choice."u00a0u00a0
But it's not only books, Jawadekar also organises summer workshops on book reading and creative writing. She said, "As computers and gaming are taking centerstage in children's lives today, they are missing out on reading and writing. But throughout the year they are busy and do not get the time to read. Summers are the best time to develop new habits."u00a0
