Book Recommendations By A Bibliophile

Two years ago I had started this blog solely for book recommendations, but then, I deviated, and deviated large enough that now it is used for everything. I mean, I post anything here - just like a trash can. Okay, years has passed, now I am back to my sole purpose - book recommendations.

Because a large time had passed, so at first I was confused. But soon my old self came back and here is this book recommendation blog. Today, I am leaving you with 10, NO, actually 11 books, and some further titles to choose from. These books are solely my subjective choice, so if you are going to babble about the missed titles then I can’t help.

If you will ask me - “What is your favourite book?” I will say -“A Fine Balance”. If you have had asked me the same question a month ago. I would answer - “The White Tiger”. Two months before, that could be - “The Little Prince”. Don’t getting any sense from my nonsense, worry not. Actually, these are the last books I had read in these times, like now, I had just completed - “A Fine Balance”, so this is my favourite. So, you see - the judging power in me faded with time. Because of this reason, instead of choosing one or two favourite or making a hierarchy of 1 to 10, I decided to choose 10 (although I ended up choosing 11) from a large lot randomly. And what possible candidates left behind are mentioned as the honorable mentions, so check them out too.

A Fine Balance

Title - A Fine Balance

Author - Rohinton Mistry

Pages - 623

Genre - Indian Historical Fiction

‘A Fine Balance’ in simple words is a tragedy tale of a tragic time -1975, the time of Internal Emergency.

The novel follows the stories of mainly 4 characters - a Parsian lady who is struggling for her independence in this male dominated society, two tailors who after being destroyed completely by their past want to start their lives anew. A young college boy who want to live his life on his own terms but forced by his parents to act according to their will. After reading this novel you surely will going to cry and curse the government for Internal Emergency. The title ‘A Fine Balance’, too, is a bit vague title, because in the whole novel there was almost little balance between good and bad, between right and wrong, and between optimism and pessimism.

Recommended to - ‘A Fine Balance’ is not a story but lives of 4 people that you are going to live. Trust me, the strong essence of Indian culture and the the strength of story are good enough reason to read this book.

The Fault In Our Stars

Title - The Fault In Our Stars

Author - John Green

Pages - 313

Genre - Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

I had read this romance fiction when I was just a novice to that reading world. And I fall straight into this world, just like they fall in love; thanks to this novel. The novel follows the story of a Cancer suffered girl Hazel Grace, and a totally frank, charming, and extremely funny boy who puts cigarette in his mouth, sorry between his teeth, but never lights it - never giving the power to a killing thing to kill him.

If you ask me - what do you love in this novel. I would say, everything. I love the way Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace talks about the pain, suffering, and Cancer. I love the way Augustus Waters drives the car. I loved the way they gaze at each other on their first meeting. I loved the way they loves each other. I loved the way this novel made me laugh, smile and chuckle to the bottom of my heart. I loved that book to the bottom of my heart that I cannot tell. But at last all the laughs, smiles and happy moments betrays you, leaving you with just one thing - sadness. I hate this book the way it end. I hate this book for all the previously happy moments it gave to me. I hate it. I hate it. But I love it. I still love it. As a novice reader I wasn’t mature enough to swallow that tragic ending, that’s why the ending depressed me, I admit it. But this is how it should be - “Pain needed to be felt.”

Recommended to - I want to recommend it to everyone who are in search of a young-adult romance novel painted with beautiful words like prose of a poem, and anyway, to everyone who are not even a bit interested in these things.

NOTE - Reading this book is a one time experience. I warn you - don’t spoil it by either watching the movie beforehand or gulping it like a day long hungry boy. Swallow it like the last piece of food you ever have; yes, this is how it needed to be read.

The Shiva Trilogy

Title - The Shiva Trilogy

Author - Amish Tripathi

Pages - 436+398+575 (paperback edition)

Genre - Mythology, Indian Literature, Philosophical

The mythological masterpiece by Amish Tripathi narrates one of the greatest and lesser known epic of the most worshiped Hindu God Lord Shiva. But this is not the end. Besides, Shiva it has many things worth considering. First, the philosophical and reasonable aspect of each character’s action. Second, the changing dynamic of the novel, like what was right and good in the beginning become wrong and evil in the middle, but in the last nothing but neutral.

The brilliant amalgamation of mythology, history and fiction make the plot an unforgettable saga. Besides Shiva, other characters like Sati, Nandi, Ganesha, Parvateshwar, Daksh and Maharshi Bhirgu stands out in their own way. My favourite character is Parvateshwar, a dignified man with a great sense of duty and respect which he maintains to his last breathe. The way the fighting scene are described supplemented by hair raising speeches; man, this will bring you to the edge of your seat, I bet that.

For those who thinks that this is exactly the same story as told in Shiv Purans and other holy texts. No, this is not the same story, although closely woven around the Purans’ events but in a more realistic way. First two books are simply amazing and unmatchable; although, third volume “The Oath Of Vayuputras” is a bit lengthy and tedious, and lacks the charisma the former two parts had.

Recommended to - A must read to all Lord Shiva disciple and who are interested in reading Hindu Mythology, and for anyone who want to read an interesting tale having a lot of philosophical aspects. 

Crime And Punishment

Title - Crime and Punishment

Author - Fydor Dostoyevsky

Pages - 731

Genre - Philosophical, Crime, Psychological

How can I forget the whole of July sitting on the edge of my chair reading Fydor Dostoyevsky’s philosophical-classic “Crime And Punishment”.

This book follows the life of a destitute and desperate former law student, Rodion Raskolnikov, who while wandering through the slums of St. Petersburg randomly killed an evil pawnbroker woman. He feel no remorse to what he did, but a proud that by doing so he did good to the society. The further part of the book follows the psychological conflict through which our protagonist went after committing such a heinous crime. And then at last how he collapses to meet his fate. Because the punishment he was going through with everyone’s suspecting eyes on him (this is what he thinks) is far more than the punishment he will face in the prison.

Recommended to - Want the answers of questions like - What is a Crime, in real? Do everyone should be punished equally for a certain crime? Don’t some people have lesser right to live compared to others? What should be a good punishment for a particular Crime?. If you want answer to any of these questions, and want to read a deeply philosophical novel, then this book is a must read for you.

Animal Farm

Title - Animal Farm

Author - George Orwell

Pages - 141

Genre - Classics, Politics, Allegory

The only book that I had read two times. First time, accidentally in 5 hours duing a marathon reading between 10 pm to 3 am. And then again, more cautiously, the following week. At first, I thought it to be just a fairy tale with pigs reigning the whole farm, but to the end what Napoleon(the leader pig) did blew my mind. That’s why I read it again, but still I ain’t sure whether I get the message of Animal Farm completely or not. Because of this reason I bow my head in respect to the way Animal Farm is written. A masterpiece, a never dying classic, this is what it is.

Animal Farm is a satirical novel in which the author ‘Orwell’, examines the realistic risks of revolution and the dynamics animals will inevitably given in to. Although written to signify the outcomes of Russian Revolution, but in contemporary world it is relevant more or less  to any revolution and following anarchy. (from the Internet)

Recommended to - Classics are easiest to recommend, and this is undoubtedly the one I can recommend to anyone with my eyes closed. I would say don’t miss that masterpiece. For those who are interested in politics, no flattery, this is the Bible for you.

 

The White Tiger

Title - The White Tiger

Author - Aravind Adiga

Pages -  276

Genre - Indian literature, fiction, Crime, Contemporary

This 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner is a narrative masterpiece and a straight criticism of India’s ill rooted class division.   

Balram Halwai, a wanted criminal, formerly a chauffeur, but now just Ashok and a respected entrepreneur, owner of “The White Tiger Drivers”, but for him he is just a White Tiger - a rare animal who born only once in decades. This same man narrates his own story of how he travelled from the world of darkness to the lighted world.

Recommended to - As I said, this book is a narrative masterpiece which means a sure read for all those who loves narration more than any other thing. Besides, story, too, is quite promising which keep you glue to the plot.

The Glass Castle

Title - The Glass Castle

Author - Jeannette Walls

Pages - 246

Genre - Memoir

A sad Memoir converted to a fine art and some lovely moments of joy and sorrow, "The Glass Castle" is the best Memoir I had ever read.

The memoir follows the life of author when she was just 3 years old to the time when she, at last, become a successful person in her life. In the memoir she remembers her hard days with her family - wandering in deserts, plains, and mountains with no permanent place to live or any job to do, then they settled in Nevada - her father’s native place, which was an even worse place. But she, with the help of her siblings - Brain and Lori - managed to escape that near hell place to the place which is know to all as heaven - New York City, where she finally made her way to the success.

Recommended to - Those who are in search of a good memoir and want to read a  really thrilling and adventurous real life, neglected to all kinds of luxury, but still filled with joy and hope, then “The Glass Castle” is calling you; quick, receive it!   

 

The Catcher In The Rye

Title - The Catcher In the Rye

Author - J.D. Salinger

Pages- 135

Genre- Young adult, classic

An over-the-top cynical narration (l love good narration), of a young, 16-year old boy Holden Caulfield, and his frank ideological view of the sham society. You will definitely going to love that novel.

Recommended to - A must read for all those who love the beauty and frankness of narration. Furthermore, a good option for lover of young-adult and coming-of-age stories.

 

Fahrenheit 451

Title - Fahrenheit 451

Author - Ray Bradbury

Pages -220

Genre - Dystopia, Classic, Science Fiction

Set in a dystopian world where the books are forbidden, and it is duty of our main character Guy Montag, to burn all books he comes across and ordered to. But an incident happened when our protagonist, Guy Montag, starts questioning his authority.

This novel is a sarcasm on the Western societies’ addiction and dependence on the media and conformity (we too are heading for the same). Like Orwell’s Animal Farm was written to closely signify the Russian Revolution, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 signifies the 1990s Cold War decade where U.S. govt. was furious to check on every citizen for a suspicion of Russian spy, but getting and scrutinizing more than what needed to be.

Recommended to - A masterpiece, all time classic Fahrenheit 451 is a must read for all classic and dystopian and science fiction lovers.

 

The Little Prince

Title - The Little Prince

Author - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Pages - 95

Genre- Classics, fiction, Children

The shortest and often the most enjoyable, this book although meant to be a children’s book, but the teachings of this novel are far more to consider for an adult, like how to tame someone (just kidding).

The Little Prince who came from a far planet of a size just of a football ground, needs nothing but sunlight for survival. The Little Prince is on a journey to find the answer of a question. Because he lived on his planet alone his whole life, so his way of talking is just like a child - true, pure, immature (not always) and attractive. The prince tells his adventurous story of how he travelled from one planet to another in search of his question where he meet some weird people, like a drunkard who suggests him that he must drink to forget how ashamed he is of drinking.

Recommended to - Strongly recommended to everyone. This is such a short and lovely read that it must be cherished equally both by children as well as adults.

 

The Stranger

Title - The Stranger

Author - Albert Camus

Pages - 123

Genre - Classics, Philosophy

How should I mention the greatness of “The Stranger”, maybe this famous quote from the book can help you understand and persuade, just like it did persuaded me: “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of, You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of Life.”  

The book follows the story of a nihilistic French man Monseiur Meursault. In our protagonist opinion life is meaningless, that’s why he showed no empathy or sorrow when his mother died. He keep on looking the clock, praying the death ceremony to end as quickly as possible. After that he helped his friend to revenge his girlfriend even though his friend was wrong. Then he killed an Algerian man without any real consent and remorse. He was just numb to the human feelings. When he is executed for the murder in the court, the question of his being a true human is constantly raised. So this book tries to figure out, and sometimes questions us things, like - what is the meaning of life, what it means to be a human - should we need to act some particular way to be a human, like generous and considerate to society, and what if we will not act that way, should we then be called as human or  inhuman.

Recommended to - This is the book that strike right on the philosophical point of human existence. It is something very different from all other books I have mentioned before. As it is such a short book and so deeply written, so I want to recommend it to everyone.  

Now, this is the time for honorable mentions, Clap for them too.

1. Perks of Being  A Wallflower 

2. The Kite Runner

3.  The Argumentative Indian (Anthology Series)

4. Sapiens - A Brief History Of Humankind

5. The Phantom Tollbooth

6. Wonder

7. A Man Called Ove

8. Swami and Friends

9.  Bird by Bird (a writing guide)

10. On writing (Memoir by Stephen King)

11. Tuesdays with Morrie

12. The Handmaid's Tale (I wasn't worth enough to read it)

13. Brave New World

14. Black Beauty (For Animal Lovers)

Since, there are no non-fiction and self help books in the list, so I want to recommend to check out my friend Ashutosh Pandey's medium blog for that purpose, in addition to book recommendation, you will find some daily life changing hacks too - The Essentialist.