Sunburn by Chloe Michele Howarth
(Recommended by Shivangi Agarwal)
Sunburn is Chloe Michele Howarth's debut novel that deserves greater attention for its raw and heartfelt storytelling. It’s a queer coming-of-age story - a genre with limited standout examples -that captures the messy, beautiful journey of growing up queer in an orthodox environment. The protagonist, Lucy, is relatable despite her flaws. She’s not a perfect person and she makes some questionable choices but it is hard to dislike her because of the connection that the reader feels with her. The book takes readers through her journey of self-realization, the process of coming out and navigating life afterwards starting from her teenage years to adulthood. Howarth portrays each character’s struggles and triumphs with depth. This is a book that will help queer readers feel seen while offering others a chance to step into the internal world of a queer person.. Sunburn is certainly a powerful and important read whose characters stay with you.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
(Recommended by Akshara Satluri)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an exploration of friendship, identity, and love. The story follows two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle and Dante, who form an unexpected bond that completely changes their lives. Through their journey, I learnt about the complexities of love in all forms. The lyrical prose and strong character development deeply resonated with me, teaching me to embrace my emotions while still empathising with the experiences of others. Though there isn’t quite a distinct plot that the book boasts of but it has reshaped my understanding of life as I know it.
The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
(Recommended by Muskan Kaur)
At the end of the day, all that really matters is love. Not war, not conflict, not time and not even space. This book teaches us exactly that. A modern rendition of Bollywood’s classic Veer Zara, this is a story of two lovers, estranged by war and social prejudice. The book takes readers through an extremely personal journey through chapters interspersed with letters and diary entries. What I loved most about it is, undoubtedly, the warm, homely way in which the author narrates Roya and Bahman’s innocent, beautiful, and unabashed love story. It breaks your heart, yes, but also leaves your heart so unrelentingly full.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
(Recommended by Muskan Kaur)
The Kite Runner is the only book that has ever moved me to tears.
What makes this book one of the greatest I've ever read is the sheer grace with which Khaled Hosseini brings us as readers, closer to Afghanistan, a country buried in the trenches of discord. No matter how geographically far we are from Kabul, as readers immersed into the lives of Amir and Hassan, Hussaini ensures that we are deeply aware of every aspect of Afghan culture from colloquial endearments to their stories.
The book teaches us about redemption, friendship, loyalty and guilt. Also, loss, grief, change, and yearning. However, most of all, we learn about the idea of being human. Because it not just teaches us to be inherently kind, but to also be willing to learn how.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
(Recommended by Muskan Kaur)
There’s not one line in this anthology of letters by the famous Austrian poet that isn’t worth underlining. This book has spoken to artists for almost a century and continues to inspire so many of us. Hence, as someone trying to write stories that matter, this book is one of the most inspiring, thought-provoking and magnificent iterations of the theories of poetry and what makes one a poet. I loved the book for its linguistic prowess and the way each line was better than the one that preceded it.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
(Recommended by Uddantika Kashyap)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is an unputdownable psychological thriller that takes you on a journey through secrets, lies, and unexpected connections. The story follows three women, each grappling with their own struggles as their lives intersecte in shocking and sinister ways. With every chapter, the mystery deepens, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot twists again, leaving you breathless.
What makes this novel so compelling isn’t just the suspense but also the richly layered characters. Hawkins masterfully delves into the complexities of human behaviour exploring themes like trauma, self-deception, and the lengths people go to protect themselves. As a reader, you’re not just following the story, you’re drawn into it, imagining each scene and feeling like a silent observer to the drama unfolding.
At its core, The Girl on the Train is more than a thriller—it’s a reflection of the human condition with all its flaws and intricacies. It stirs emotions, makes you question motives, and leaves you pondering long after you have turned the last page. Whether you’re a fan of suspense or simply love a story that keeps you on your toes, this book promises an unforgettable experience.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
(Recommended by Shreya Saksena)
Sally Rooney’s Normal People, at its heart, is about allowing yourself to depend on others while realising that in a world as vast as ours, we’re never truly alone, and accepting that we need each other to be better. Connell and Marianne’s story is that of two people who always find their way back to each other at different stages of their lives, and as they figure things out, life happens to them, suddenly and without a warning. One minute they’re two teenagers making love in Connell’s childhood room and the next they’re pushed into a big world of endless possibilities.
The book is quite literally a chronicle of regular life — made of ups and downs, of good people and not-so-good people, of celebrations and failures — nothing is dramatic, nothing is put on a pedestal, everything is okay, everything is normal.
I recommend Normal People quite often; And, I do so, over and over again, because it tells me that life is okay, we’re okay, we’ll be okay. There’s greatness in normality. We’re all normal people even if sometimes we feel far from it.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
(Recommended by Praganya Arora)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a brilliant exploration of love, class, and personal growth. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows Elizabeth Bennet, a witty and independent woman, as she navigates societal expectations and her evolving feelings towards proud but enigmatic Mr. Darcy. Austen's sharp social commentary, engaging and sarcastic characters, and clever dialogue make this novel a timeless classic.
It’s a perfect read for anyone interested in the complexities of relationships, the intricacies of human nature, and a witty portrayal of social dynamics. Pride and Prejudice never loses its charm, remaining deeply relevant even today.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
(Recommended by Shreya Saksena)
In our noisy world, Satoshi Yagisawa’s debut novel, Days at the Morisaki Bookshops, offers a faint, hopeful whisper. I picked this book when I felt like the earth was slipping beneath my feet, moving too fast, and leaving me behind. Takako’s story reminded me that I’m not alone in feeling lost and that these patterns are common to each of our stories. And what sets us apart is how we choose to handle life’s curveballs, that is if we choose to at all.
When her boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else, a heartbroken Takako moves in with her eccentric uncle. As they connect, living together in his old bookstore, Takako learns some of life’s most important lessons. Yagisawa weaves a beautifully intricate narrative of love, loss, and hope through this simple story which reminds us of the importance of standing still even when it feels like the earth is slipping from under you.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
(Recommended by Praganya Arora)
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that explores the transformative power of time and human connections.
Set in a quirky Tokyo café where people visiting the cafe can travel back in time—but only for a brief moment before their coffee cools—this story follows four individuals seeking to change their pasts.
With its gentle pacing and deep emotional resonance, the novel beautifully delves into themes of love, regret, and the choices that shape our lives. It’s an introspective read that will leave you reflecting on your own relationships and what you would change if given a chance.
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
(Recommended by Praganya Arora)
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf is a landmark essay that explores the intersection of women, creativity, and societal constraints. Inspired by a series of lectures Woolf gave at Cambridge University, the book argues that for a woman to write fiction, she must have both financial independence and personal space—symbolized by the metaphorical "room of her own." With sharp wit and profound insight, Woolf critiques the limitations placed on women in the literary world and calls for greater freedom and opportunity. It’s an essential read for anyone interested in feminism, literature, and the struggle for artistic autonomy.
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, Translated by Elisabeth Jaquette
(Recommended by Sheikha Sam) I devoured this book in a day braving tears, each page mirroring today’s reality. Minor Detail unravels two parallel narratives: the story of a young Arab-Bedouin Palestinian girl captured, gang-raped, and killed by Israeli soldiers in the desert, and the obsessive investigation of this 'minor detail' years later by an unnamed woman in Ramallah. The ‘minor detail’ that connects her to the Bedouin girl is the fact that her rape took place exactly 25 years before her birth. The book explores state-sponsored violence, life under occupation, invisibility, and memory.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
(Recommended by Sheikha Sam) The way Didion has explored grief and its almost nonsensical terrain is deeply personal. Through her journey of mourning, Joan Didion tries to make sense of her husband’s death and her transformed identity. She begins to believe that her thoughts and wishes might have the power to alter reality, termed ‘magical thinking’. With its simple and vulnerable writing, The Year of Magical Thinking is about love, loss, and longing for what is forever gone.