Pandemic Reading Recommendations
Book Recommendations
In March 2020, when the entire world was swept by the pandemic, when platforms like Zoom and Google Meet surfaced to define the “new normal”, lockdowns across all of India “forced” us to stay within our homes. Coming home for a mid-semester break of six days, which evolved into a year and a half long stay, was not something I had anticipated. Initially, I was only too happy to not be obliged to wake up for that 8:30 am class. Why? Because this lockdown was going to be the best time to indulge in extensive reading! But since I knew I would have to go back to Delhi in just six days, I didn’t bring any books. There I was, after finishing Norwegian Wood, with no new books to begin. The dread of every reader. Rereading is not my cup of tea, but The God of Small Things kept me sane. Online ordering too was unavailable at this point. Even the aversion to reading eBooks (but, really, I’m sure you would agree with me that paperbacks/hardcovers can never not be cool) did not stop me from finishing Animal Farm. I read as if my life depended on it.
I am sure most of us, at least in India, are still trying our best to stay sane in these trying times. Having an abundance of time is not even a gift anymore. While some are picking up the hobby of baking, others are learning to play the ukulele. I even had a friend the other day, who has never read in their entire life, asking for book recommendations.
So here’s my list of recommendations for you to enjoy in this pandemic:
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
Published in 2018, Normal People revolves around two characters: Marianne Sheridan, a shy, young and lonely introvert and Connell Waldron, the studious, talented, outgoing and popular “cool kid”. A simple “I like you” from Marianne, sets the stage for a complicated, messy yet heartbreakingly beautiful relationship. The narrative is a progress of their relationship over the years. By this I mean misunderstandings, heartbreaks, pain, anxiety and not just the steamy episodes like that of the Hulu adaptation. What I can conclude is that it belongs to the genre of realism, more than romance.
2. Kafka On the Shore by Haruki Murakami
If you are into magical realism and haven’t yet touched any of Murakami’s works, you are missing out on a lot! Kafka On The Shore was initially written in Japanese and translated into English in 2005. The narrative is woven around two characters, Kafka Tamura, an anxious teenager who runs away from home and Satoru Nakata, a “strange man”, hit by amnesia and dyslexia during his childhood, with a unique ability to speak to cats. Though the two stories are narrated separately, eventually, they are interwoven through magical intricacies. The book may be a little too complex to understand but in a nutshell, it sums up a really common problem we face as humans: the fluidity between what is a dream and what is not.
3. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Imagine having the colour of your skin determine your life. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, hailed as “moving” by Barack Obama, is the epitome of masterful storytelling. The story follows a young, black couple, Roy Hamilton Jr. and Celestial Davenport, whose lives and relationship are torn, just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The chapters are divided on the basis of three perspectives: Roy, Celestial and Andre, giving insight into each of the character’s own plight. How the conviction of an innocent man could gravely affect his conscience, is presented with much detail in this novel. A must-read for all readers!
4. Persuasion by Jane Austen
Yes, I know Pride and Prejudice is timeless. But have you read Persuasion? Step aside, Mr. Darcy. Captain Wentworth’s declaration is also worth swooning over! Known as the last great novel of Austen, Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot’s reunion with former lover (and fiance), Frederick Wentworth, a dashing officer. After a long time of separation, when the two finally come back to each other, a sense of detachment emerges in between, blending with jealousies and lots of humorous episodes. Like all Austenian novels, this too is about marriage, society and above all, love. Persuasion is fairly underrated than others like Emma or Sense and Sensibility. But I will admit this: this is my favourite Austen novel! Here is a quote to tempt you:
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.”
― Jane Austen, Persuasion
5. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
In 2018, when I was smitten by Arundhati Roy’s writing, I decided to read another, recently published novel of hers. While Roy is mostly known for her non-fiction, the Ministry stands as a major work where modern day Indian politics and fiction come together. There is no single protagonist in the novel; rather, it’s about different characters, whose lives are interconnected to each other, through the predicaments they share. The two primary characters are that of Anjum, a transgender in Delhi and Tilo, a young architect and activist. The Ministry talks of war-torn lives, longings, love, hope, survival in a country like India.
6. Undertow by Jahnavi Barua
Undertow is that underrated book which deserves more attention in the reading community. The story begins with the fears of a bride, Rukmini, who was to wed amidst a situation of turmoil. Marrying against her mother’s wishes, Rukmini is estranged from her family. Years later, when her daughter, Loya, returns to Guwahati, to seek answers from her grandfather, Torun Ram Goswami, for certain questions, she is exposed to a new world, one which her mother left behind. Having stayed in Guwahati for six years, I dived into nostalgia through Barua’s vivid description of the city. Reading Undertow was like coming back home after a long period of time. Assamese readers, please read this!
7. Beach Read by Emily Henry
The recommendation list will be incomplete without Beach Read. A very funny, light, summer read which narrates the story of two writers facing writer’s block, January and Augustus, who bet to interchange their genres. It’s a classic rom-com of two totally different people: one who is all about romance and the other being all for literary fiction. Through their ventures into unfamiliar genres, they spend time together, discovering one another’s struggles, not just as writers but as people. In these difficult times, Henry’s Beach Read can deliver such warmth to your heart that you will be left asking for more. Beginners in the reading community can start with this one, to develop interest in reading.
Happy reading!
