A book titled ‘A lifetime of nostalgia’ released in Mon

DIMAPUR — A book titled “A lifetime of nostalgia,” written by Kemya Yanlem and published by PenThrill Publication House, was released by Ashim, former women secretary of Konyak Baptist Church Association, on December 29 at Shalom Cottage in Mon.

In her author’s note, Kemya Yanlem stated that the book is a collection of prose and poems to convey one simple message of ‘belonging’ and that one’s ‘longings are universal longings’ while quoting F Scott Fitzgerald.

Stating that the very reason why she started writing was that “at some point, when I was at my lowest, I read certain poems and prose and books, and I realised I could relate with those stories,” she said adding that, “I found a safe space for myself in the words written by some stranger.”

“I wanted to be able to do that for anyone else who was going through the same things that I once went through. Because I realised literature can be so much more than just people writing pretty things,” she added while also putting across that, “when I started compiling this book, I picked out pieces I’ve written from the perspectives of different people.”

“You will find POVs of an old man longing for an old love, two young lovers falling apart, an earnest letter of a young girl to her father, of people lost in their past, lost in addiction, a suicidal fella trying to find meaning in life, and maybe scribbles of little love notes I wrote to myself or some stranger,” she further highlighted.

The book, she said, is a collection of writings that she has kept to herself for the past three years and that deciding to put it out was “an act of letting that old me go, so I can learn to embrace change and grow. I also decided to publish them to mark as a starting point for me”, she exuded hope that all the things they do would be done out of love.

In her publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha recalled her association with Kemya, whose works also featured in the Homegrown anthology of new writings from Nagaland.

Congratulating her on the book, she also commended the author for her “wonderful social work initiatives” besides stating appreciation for spreading the joy of reading along with Longang and the team, not only in Mon but across the state.

“I hope that your team will continue to promote literature and I look forward to continued partnership in preserving the rich legacy of our land, laden with stories,” she said and further appealed to the gathering to be a book ambassador by promoting local authors.

It mentioned that the book is the 82nd publication of PenThrill.

Highlights of the event included an opening prayer by Rev. T Honlong, while Pangken, pastor of Grace Family Church, was the host and Tangtok, assistant professor at Mon Theological College, said the closing prayer.

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