Welcome to our June 2023 edition of book recommendations! As summer approaches, there’s no better time to delve into captivating stories that transport you to different worlds, ignite your imagination, and offer a welcome escape from reality. In this month’s collection, we have carefully curated a selection of twelve remarkable books that encompass a diverse range of genres, including gripping thrillers, thought-provoking literary fiction, and enchanting tales of fantasy.
Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a deeply introspective journey, or a magical escape, these books are sure to captivate your mind and keep you engrossed throughout the month of June. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our handpicked selection of must-reads for this month!
1. A Lost People’s Archive: A Novel by Rimli Sengupta
In the town of Patuakhali, two childhood neighbors, Shishu and Noni, form a special bond based on their love for books and poetry. Their paths diverge in 1927 when Shishu joins a revolutionary group and serves seventeen years in jail for killing a police inspector, while Noni is married off at sixteen. Despite the separation, they continue exchanging letters, and Shishu keeps a notebook filled with poems for his friend and first love. Released in 1945, they lose contact during the Partition.
Remarkably, they reconnect in 1991, with Noni thriving alongside her family, while Shishu remains single. He gifts her the cherished notebook, a testament to their enduring connection. Rimli Sengupta’s work, “A Lost People’s Archive,” delves into their story amidst pre-Independence India, the Partition, refugee exodus, communism, and Bengal’s political and social landscape. At its heart, it explores the lives of the Bangals, displaced East Bengalis, and their fractured existence.
2. Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
Lydia longs for sashimi, ramen, onigiri, and udon, influenced by her Japanese father’s taste. However, she can only consume blood, making it challenging to find fresh pig blood in London. As she strives to establish herself as an artist and navigate her mixed ethnic heritage, Lydia must reconcile her conflicting demon and human sides, along with her relationship with food and humans. Yet, her most immediate concern remains satisfying her hunger before embarking on a journey of self-discovery.
3. Horizons by Himanshu Asnani
In these searing stories, debut author Himanshu Asnani paints a rich portrait of lives mirroring countless others. With probing prose, they capture life’s pathos and offer solace to those grappling with similar questions.
4. Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Corazon, Angel, and Donita have all come to Singapore seeking work, united by the need to remain invisible in their labor. But when a shocking news story breaks, the arrest of Filipina maid Flordeliza Martinez for murdering her employer, the three women are jolted into action. Though they don’t know the accused well, they recognize the all-too-familiar pattern of scapegoating innocent domestic workers. Determined to uncover the truth, Donita, Corazon, and Angel gather their courage and delve into the secrets hidden within Singapore’s households.
5. A Life Well Spent by Satish Chandra
Satish Chandra’s extensive career in the Indian Foreign Service offers a diverse range of experiences, from Vienna’s cultural delights to navigating Pakistani politics. In “A Life Well Spent: Four Decades in the Indian Foreign Service,” Chandra takes readers on a captivating journey from a probationer to Deputy National Security Advisor, sharing insights into the thrilling work of an IFS officer. The book features intriguing anecdotes about assigned countries and their relations with India, covering significant events like the 1971 conflict and the Kargil War. A must-read for those interested in the inner workings of the service or considering a career in diplomacy.
Read the book review here
6. The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey
In 1922 Bombay, India, Perveen Mistry is the only female lawyer. She attends a fundraiser for a new women’s hospital and witnesses an accident where a servant, Sunanda, saves a boy but is later arrested on false charges. Perveen takes Sunanda as a client, despite family tensions. As the investigation unfolds, Perveen delves into Gujarati strongholds, uncovering a web of suspicion. Another fire ignites, and Perveen must prove Sunanda’s innocence without risking her own family.
7. Mister, Mister by Guy Gunaratne
Yahya Bas: poet, jihadist, son. In this imaginative novel by the prizewinning author of “In Our Mad and Furious City,” Yahya faces his past and his incendiary verses that made him infamous. Mister, his interrogator, aims to keep him imprisoned, but Yahya shares his life story on his own terms. This is a tale of a child from East Ham who becomes a voice for a generation, searching for his father and finding a different way to live amidst war. Guy Gunaratne delivers a bracing, tender, and exuberantly imaginative novel.
8. Afternoon by Nidhi Dalmia
Set in the late ’60s, Afternoon tells the intertwined story of a young student discovering love in San Francisco, New York, Kashmir, and Delhi. It explores the cultural, student, sexual, and intellectual revolutions of the time. The narrative follows a Kashmiri Muslim girl who grew up in Delhi but carries memories of her home state, as well as an American Field Service worker from New York who experiences unexpected turns during her visit to India. Amidst the backdrop of the Cold War, conscription, and the Vietnam War, the story highlights the challenges faced by inter-continental relationships and the enduring power of love. Afternoon captures the impact of our choices and external factors on shaping our lives.
9. How to Make Champions by Gabe Jaramillo and Gyasi Hall
Motivated parents often ask burning questions: Do my children have talent? What’s their passion? How can I help them become champions? Can I keep them motivated? Where do I find the right coach? What steps should I take?
Renowned coach Gabe Jaramillo reveals his secrets and provides a blueprint for nurturing talent, utilizing crucial windows of trainability for young athletes. Drawing from his work with tennis legends like Andre Agassi and Monica Seles, he covers essential coaching aspects. A must-read for parents, coaches, and athletes alike.
10. The Light At The End Of The World By Siddhartha Deb
In a sweeping tale connecting India’s tumultuous past, present, and future, this novel reinvents fiction. Bibi, a low-ranking employee, is tasked with finding a man believed to be dead, uncovering a trove of government secrets. The story spans Delhi’s near future, Bhopal in 1984, Calcutta in 1947, and a British soldier’s search in 1859. These timelines interweave, revealing buried truths through automatons, spirits, spacecraft, and aliens. “The Light at the End of the World” is Siddhartha Deb’s magisterial work, expanding fiction’s possibilities while vividly portraying contemporary India.
11. Rama of the Axe by Ranjith Radhakrishnan
Ramabhadra, the youngest son of Saptarishi Jamadagni, carries the weight of a prophecy as the chosen avatar of Lord Vishnu. When his father is tragically taken from him, Ramabhadra must avenge his death after mastering himself. Rama of the Axe is a gripping tale of revenge, love, and duty, tracing Ramabhadra’s path to becoming Parashurama.
12. Why Do I Feel So Sad? By Dr. Shefali Batra
Feeling miserable lately without knowing why? There might be an underlying reason.
In “Why Do I Feel So Sad?”, Dr. Shefali Batra, a renowned psychiatrist, explores the complex causes of depression. Her book aims to raise awareness about the lasting blues that can have devastating consequences if left untreated.
Dr. Batra provides:
- Time-tested practices from modern research that can be used alongside medication
- Techniques to identify negative thinking patterns and take proactive steps for emotional well-being
- Tools like checklists and worksheets to overcome or prevent depression
With Dr. Batra’s guidance, you can break free from self-defeating thoughts and improve your mental health using a scientific approach.
Foreword by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon.
