`Books are windows to another world'

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/07/2006 7:48 AM  |  Jakarta

Instilling a fondness for books and reading in children starts at home. Children who enjoy being read to are more likely to enjoy reading as adults. The Jakarta Post asked city residents about their reading habits.

Agus Adiputra, 29, is a graphic designer. He lives in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.

Reading and collecting books comes naturally to my family.

My mother has kept one storybook since she was three. Her collection is extensive; she reads and collects all kinds of books.

As for my father, he tends to be more specific. Mostly he collects books on mechanics and adventure. Traveling is his passion.

I am more like my mother. I read anything and take good care of my collection. I still have my books from kindergarten.

When I was in junior high school, I worked as an illustrator for a women's magazine. Every time I got paid, I would spend the lot on books. I remember one of the books I bought; it was a book of Walt Disney characters.

My grandparents are book lovers too. I stayed with them from junior high to the end of high school.

They had an amazing library, which housed everything from a set of encyclopedias to works by the world's greatest writers, such as Voltaire, Dante and Marx.

When I couldn't get to sleep at night, I would creep into the library and read anything that took my fancy.

Even though my parents are not artists, they are very artistic. My father, for instance, used to make up stories and record them on tape. He even did the sound effects. We never knew when he recorded the stories, or how. He would give them to us and we would listen in awe.

To me, books are windows to another world. I need to have a book with me at all times. Some people might think this is freaky, but I feel naked without a good book.

This month, I spent millions at my favorite book store. They were having a closing down sale and everything was 50 percent off.

Niki Putri Respati, 22, is a university student. She lives in Cipete, South Jakarta, with her parents.

Mostly I collect chick-lit (literature marketed at young women). My sister does the same. In fact, every member of my family has their own private collection.

My father never forced us to read a book. Instead, he would just take us to a book shop and let us choose whatever we liked. We are also accustomed to book fairs and launches.

My uncle's book on Indonesian history was just published. I forget what it is about exactly, I am yet to read it.

When we were still children, my father used to read us stories.

I don't think reading is an issue in my family. Reading and book collecting is a common thing.

Right now, since I'm learning Japanese, I am also reading some Japanese literary works. -- The Jakarta Post

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