As a kid, books took me to worlds that didn’t even exist. From the majestic alleys of Hogwarts to the dystopian world of Panem, I’ve travelled to places right from the comfort of my couch. However, some books weren’t just about adventure, they struck deeper, forcing me to wonder beyond the bubble I lived in. These books crushed my soul but I just couldn’t put them down. It’s an experience everyone should have once in their life, and for that, I’d like to share a carefully curated list of the books that you must pick this year.
Fair warning: they will leave you in tears but you’ll thank me.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Starting strong with A Little Life. This 600+ page masterpiece is something you ought to read once in your life. This book will move you, keep you awake and make you question everything in your life. I won’t sugarcoat it; you might not be able to read the entire manuscript in one go not just because of how lengthy it is but because of how emotionally exhausting it can be. You will find yourself crying, laughing and struggling to breathe as you journey through the life of JB, Malcolm, Williem and Jude. If it was up to me, I’d give this book all the awards that exist; it deserves it!
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People is anything but about normal people. In this tale of on-off romance, Rooney talks about male fragility and abuse, leaving her own astounding debut, Conversations with Friends, in the shade. It’s one of those book that elicits such unimaginable and ferocious awe from literally everyone you know. It’s a book that feels familiar, yet its contemporary touch and mounting success are unlike anything that you’ve experienced.
Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa
Published first in 1998 in India as Ice Candy Man, Cracking India is based on the traumatising events that shaped the partition of the subcontinent. When the British left and the sub-continent was divided into two countries, chaos and turmoil spread and horrifying scenes were witnessed. Sidhwa, in this heartfelt novel, shares the story of a young Parsee girl who lived in Lahore during this time. Lenny, who’s not only from a minority religion but is also suffering from polio, is limited by her mobility and religion. She witnesses her loved ones dying brutal deaths and eventually understands how the world works. If you want to read something close to home, something that hits, this book is definitely for you.
The Boy in Stripped Pyjamas by John Boyne
The recent scenes of horror in Palestine and Ukraine have ignited my memory of an old book that stays relevant to date. Even 19 years after the publication of the book, readers regard it as one of the greatest works of all time. Written by John Boyne, this short, yet powerful story is about a little boy named Bruno who befriends a boy of his age. Nothing out of the ordinary about that, right? Except, Bruno’s friend lives in a concentration camp while Brno resides on the other side of the fence. The story highlights the innocence of two children, unaware of the unjust happening in the world. The end-unexpected… or maybe not. You’ll have to read to find out.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner needs no introduction, and neither does Khaled Hosseini. If you haven’t indulged in Hosseini’s masterpieces yet, I would recommend you start with The Kite Runner; trust me, there is no going back from here. This heart-wrenching tale dives into war-stricken Afghanistan, a place too close to home, a story too close to ours. Hosseini tells the story of two young boys Amir and Hassan, inseparable, yet nothing alike. But betrayals are common in war and so is separation. The Kite Runner isn’t just a tale, it’s sorrow, power, betrayal, redemption, hope and most of all love put together beautifully. It will leave you a new person by the end.
Don’t worry, the list doesn’t end here; but for now, these will have you shedding enough tears to fill some bowls around your house.
Happy Reading! Or just teary-eyed, sniffing, cant-have-enough-of-it reading!
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