Coincidence?

I walk into my library (mylib.in) to pick up a couple of books.

I pick up “Trekking holidays in India” and “The Man-eaters of Kumaon” by Jim Corbett. As I move towards the check-out counter, I see an old queer looking book. The word that captures my attention is “wild“. The title is “Into the wild”.

Out of curiosity, I pull out the book and read the brief at the back. The gist interests me and I end up picking it (and dropping Jim’s book). The day is Sunday, Aug 16.

I go home and start reading it. I find the story interesting, but a bit dark too, delving into human emotions (whichI believe is the most complex thing to understand). I discuss the book with a colleague on Monday and come to know about a movie based on the book by the same name. I get so interested that I read the book late into the night on Monday. Deeply influenced by the character Chris, I tweet a quote of his which I like so much.Also end up putting the same line as my Orkut status message.

“Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit of a man than a secure future”

And on Tuesday, I finish reading the book. I get hooked into knowing more about this guy. Chris McCandless. I read a wikipedia article on him. I review a movie based on his life. Also, out of more curiosity, I do a google image search to see more ‘real’ pictures of the guy (and not from the movie).The date is August 18.

Finally, I find that there is a fan created Facebook account of his with a few photos and lots of comments there. I am flabbergasted by one comment I read there.

“Let’s think on him today – 18 August 1992″

I realize suddenly that the guy had probably died on Aug 18 in 1992, which is clearly mentioned in the book.

Oh my god, it is today! August 18, 17 years later! And I, deeply impressed and perplexed by the book’s depiction of the guy, have been googling so much about him. Spending almost all of my evening on a guy who I knew nothing about 50 hours ago. All the while, not knowing that it was his death anniversary!

Coincidence, anyone?

Rest in peace, Chris (aka Alex the supertramp)

A list of book stores in Bangalore

For all the bookworms out there in Bangalore, here is a list of bookstores in Bangalore.

Gangarams Book Bureau
# 72, M G Road.
Bangalore – 560 001
080-2558 7277
E-mail : gangarams@vsnl.com

Landmark
The Forum, Hosur Road, KoraMangla
Bangalore – 29
080-2206 7777

Crossword
ACR Towers, 32, Residency Road,
Bangalore – 560 025
080-2558 2411
E-mail : cwdblr@booknmoreindia.com

Bookworm,
www.bookwormindia.in
NO 32, Basement, Brigade rd cross, Behind Shoe track,
Bangalore-01
9845076757080-41126755
Email: krishna_ruk@yahoo.com

Blossom
http://www.blossombookhouse.com/
Church street,opposite Amoeba

Strand Book Stall
http://www.strandbookstall.com/
S 113 -114, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road,
BANGALORE – 560 042
Phone: (080) 25580000
Tele-Fax : (080) 25582222
strandbk@bgl.vsnl.net.in

Sapna Book House
http://www.sapnaonline.com/

Higginbothams Ltd.
68, M. Gandhi Road,
Bangalore 560001
080-25586574 / 25587359

India Book Distributors
9, Motor Chambers, Cgm Road
Bangalore – 52
080-2226 4544

India Book House
5th Main Road, Gandhinagar
Bangalore – 09
080-2225 2385

Select Books
71, Brigade Road
Bangalore – 01
080-2558 0770

Sankars Book Shop
15/2, Upstairs, St Mark’s Road
Bangalore – 01
080-25586867, 25671356

Asian Books Pvt. Ltd.
103/104, Swiss Cplx, R C Road
Bangalore – 01
080-2220 0438

Bhaskar Book Centre
114, OK Road Kumbarpet
Bangalore – 02
080-2223 9440

Focus Book Shop
33/3, 8th Mn, 12th Crs, Malleshwaram
Bangalore – 03
080-2334 6692.

Fountainhead
41, Lavelle Road
Bangalore – 01
080-2222 9759

Goodbook
2041, 17th Mn, HAL 2nd Stg
Bangalore – 08
080-2527 2850

L B Publishers & Distributors
90-91, MG Road
Bangalore – 01
080-2558 7621