‘A Lifetime of Nostalgia’ by Kemya Yanlem released

January 5, 2024 11 Views No Comment

Mon, January 5 (MExN): A book titled, “A Lifetime of Nostalgia” written by Kemya Yanlem and published by PenThrill Publication House was formally released by Ashim, former Women Secretary of Konyak Baptist Church Association on December 29, 2023 at Shalom Cottage in Mon.

In her author’s note, Kemya Yanlem said that the book is a collection of prose and poems with the intention of conveying one simple message of “belonging” and that one’s “longings are universal longings” while quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald. Relating that the very reason why she started writing was because “at some point, when I was at my lowest, I read certain poems and prose and books, and I realized I could relate with those stories”, she said 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 realized 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 ernest 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 to 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 is “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 expressed and 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 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 the gathering to be a book ambassador by promoting local authors.

Mention may be made here that the book is the 82nd publication of PenThrill. Highlights of the event included opening prayer by Reverend T. Honlong while Pangken, Pastor of Grace Family Church was the host and Tangtok, Asst. Professor of Mon Theological College, said the closing prayer.