For Andrea Jeremiah, books have been lifelong companions. She talks to us about the books that influenced her, why she prefers a novel over a film, and her dream of seeing more coffee shop-bookshops across Chennai.
'I Can't Remember a Time When I Wasn't Reading'
Reading entered Andrea's life early. “I’ve been reading since I was a child. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading,” she says, crediting her father for nurturing her love for books. Some of her fondest childhood memories revolve around sneaking in extra reading time. “I would sometimes read under the covers with a little torch, and my mother would yell at me.”
'The Fountainhead Offered Me Reassurance'
Different writers left their mark on Andrea at different stages of life, from Enid Blyton in childhood to Margaret Atwood during college. But one book stands out. “The Fountainhead shaped my way of thinking. I read it in college, and it had a profound impact on how I viewed life. It inspired me to be an artiste,” she reveals. When pursuing a creative career felt uncertain, the novel offered her reassurance. “Maybe reading it gave me the courage to be who I am, because it is so much about individual expression.”
'I’d Pick a Book Over a Film Any Day'
Despite building a career in cinema and music, Andrea remains loyal to books. “I’d pick a book over a film any day. A film is someone else’s curation of an experience. When you read a book, you create that experience for yourself because many elements are left to your imagination,” she elaborates. While she admires cinematic worlds like Dune, she feels adaptations often struggle to capture what makes a book memorable. “When it comes to classics like Wuthering Heights, the book stays with me. When you adapt it for the screen, there’s something you have to compromise on,” she says.
'Kannagi’s Story Would Make a Beautiful Film'
Ask her about literary works she would like to see adapted for cinema, and Andrea points to Love in the Time of Cholera. “It felt like a masterclass in the art of writing a novel,” she says. She believes Tamil literature offers equally compelling stories. “Kannagi’s story resonates deeply with me. It’s powerful and would make for a beautiful film.”
'I Hope Libraries Make a Comeback'
Libraries hold a special place in her heart. “My school and college libraries, the smell of musty books, the quiet corners where you disappear with a novel — nothing beats a library for me,” she says. She acknowledges that social media shortened attention spans but maintains that books will endure. “Nothing can replace the experience of getting lost in a good book,” she signs off.
'I Dream of Opening a Coffee Shop-Bookshop'
A devoted paperback reader, Andrea says she dreams of creating more spaces where readers can come together. “I’m so glad to see how many people share my little dream of opening a coffee shop-bookshop. I hope many more such spaces spring up across the city,” she says.
Written By: Aashna Reddy
