Submit your Article

Binge reading is fun as it allows you to live in a particular world for much longer than regular fiction. Quite often, I’ve read books that I have loved and wanted to go on perhaps forever but they have, as all good books, come to an end and the stories have stayed on my mind long after. I have, at times, wished I could wipe my memory clean just so I could read a particular book again. This is why I love it when a book I enjoy has a second part or is a part of a longer series. I’m thrilled and usually can’t contain my excitement. This week, I’m recommending five series that I have loved over the years hoping they will bring you joy and thrill just when you need them the most. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is just the book you should settle down with on a rainy day. It takes you to another world that is mesmerizing and surreal. In a place called Panem is a rich city known as The Capitol. It’s surrounded by 12 districts and every year The Capitol hosts a live event that is aired on TV called The Hunger Games. One boy and one girl from each district compete in the deadly games and only can be the winner. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her 12-year-old sister Prim in the 74th Hunger Games. She fights for her life though she never believes she can come out of it alive. This young adult dystopian series started out as a trilogy and went on to include a prequel and a fifth installment. 

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Get a Life, Chloe Brown is the story of the eldest Brown sister. There are two more books in the Brown sister series each of which is hilarious, unique, and heartwarming. The sisters are totally different from one another, as most sisters are, and their lives thus take different, interesting paths. The first book which is tour-de-force romance tackling issues such as insecurity, body-image, and chronic pain is such a delight that you will want to quickly devour the second and the third—Take a Hint, Dani Brown, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown. The books are well written and the steamy scenes aren’t cringe as in most romance books. You don’t have to read the book in order and all three sisters make frequent appearances in one another’s stories so you will really get to know them in depth.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Scythe is intriguing. It’s part creepy, part fascinating. I don’t usually read sci-fi but I made an exception for Scythe as all the BookTubers I follow were raving about it back when it was published in 2016. It was even compared to The Hunger Games. Though there are parallels between them, they are distinctly unique with Scythe feeling more like a distant possibility than The Hunger Games. The human race has conquered death but the population is controlled by a group of elites known as the Scythes who glean people based on different factors. Since nobody dies of old age or accidents, only Scythes have control over who dies. All of it, however, is AI controlled. We only know of it as the Thunderhead in the first book but we definitely get to the interesting details later on. Scythe is a dystopian novel that plays with an ethical question: Does anyone have the right to decide who lives and who does not? 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 

There are elements of history, fantasy, and magic in this series that was first published in 2012 and since then has gone on to be adapted for television as well. Leigh Bardugo is known for the Six of Crows series and Shadow and Bone is relatively not as popular but I hugely enjoyed the book because of the simple story and writing. You don’t have to invest a lot of time or mental energy in the series. It’s a good book to pick up when you want to take your mind off things but don’t want to be all wrapped up in a fictional world either. The story takes place in a war-torn Ravka that is split in half by the Shadow Fold, a gaping, dark space that is impossible to cross without risking death, aka being ripped apart by the terrifying volcra. But two orphaned childhood friends make their way across and are thrust into a world they don’t recognize where nothing is as it seems. 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

There are books that you hear so much about that it puts you off reading them. An Ember in the Ashes was one of those books for me. Everyone I knew was talking about the series. I had read other works by Sabaa Tahir and had really enjoyed them but I put off reading An Ember in the Ashes because everyone kept telling me I’d love it. Then one day, many years later, when people around me were no longer talking about it, I picked it up and was instantly mesmerized. The world in the book is inspired by Ancient Rome. Here, those who aren’t loyal to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones. Laia lives with her grandmother and an older brother. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia makes a bargain—to work for the Empire as a spy. She meets Elias, one of the Empire’s finest soldiers but also an unwilling one. He wants to free himself and everyone else of the tyranny he is being trained to enforce. It’s an interesting plot, made even more fascinating by Tahir’s taut writing. 

Life, for most of us, is perhaps an endless pursuit of happiness. We all want to be happy and chase dreams and goals that we think will make us joyous. Everything we do is because we want a happy and comfortable life. But are we ever really happy? Doesn’t it sometimes feel like chasing your shadow? Right there but always out of reach? The moment you achieve something you thought would make you happy, there’s another thing that you want that you believe you need to complete your happiness. And the cycle goes on. 

For me, being happy has always been the main thing and I really try to find joy in simple things. I believe there will always be something or the other that makes you sad or unhappy but if you practice gratitude and start enjoying the little things in life—a good cup of coffee, a nice bunch of flowers, a date with a friend, a lazy Saturday afternoon—you will start seeing that there’s a lot that has the potential to make you happy and fall in love with life. Oftentimes, we take things for granted and let them just pass us by. We only realize the value of good health when we are feeling sickly, we regret not giving time to a friend when he moves abroad and we aren’t able to see him on a whim, and we don’t appreciate what we have till, for some reason, we don’t have it anymore. 

But does that mean we are doomed to this fate? Of chasing happiness and it always being slightly out of reach? It doesn’t have to be as there are some pretty neat books that can teach you how to incorporate happiness in everyday life. I’m not saying reading these will dramatically change your life but over time, you will come to understand that happiness isn’t about achieving one particular goal but a series of consistent things—good health, sound relationships, the ability to sleep well at night etc. These four books will teach you how to look at life in a positive way and be more at peace with yourself.

Stumbling Upon Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

If you think you don’t know what makes you happy, then you must read this book. This book was published in 2006 and has been translated into more than 30 languages because it’s relevant and insightful. Daniel Gilbert is a renowned Harvard psychologist and in ‘Stumbling Upon Happiness’ he breaks down the rules of happiness by showing us the mistakes we make in our imaginations and illusions about the future and how we will get there. He draws on research, philosophy, and behavioral economics to make a convincing case. Instead of telling you what will make you happy, Gilbert focuses on why we are so bad at predicting what will bring us joy. The writing is entertaining and smooth and there are many great techniques that will help you master the art of focusing on what’s important and thus forging your unique path to happiness.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I thought I’d keep ‘The Happiness Project’ out of this list as I felt that I had recommended it just one too many times. But then I thought a list about books on happiness would be incomplete without this gem of a book that takes you on the writer’s own happiness journey. Rubin breaks down happiness into simple, manageable goals. On a bus ride, Rubin suddenly thinks that time is passing and she isn’t focusing on the things that matter. She then decides to dedicate a year to what she calls her happiness project and this book is a documentation of that journey. The chapters are structured month by month. One month, Rubin focuses on friends and creating connections, while in another she chooses to organize her house and look at her finances. The goal, she says, is to simplify things and get rid of unnecessary clutter to make room for what truly matters.

The Korean Book of Happiness by Barbara Zitwer

Barbara Zitwer is an international literary agent who specializes in Korean literature. She is the one who discovered Nobel Prize winning author, Han Kang. ‘The Korean Book of Happiness’ explores how Korean culture and way of life can help you feel more fulfilled and happy. The writing is witty and charming, making reading the book a breeze. The author shares what she learnt about the country during the course of her travels and its fascination with the ancient philosophies of Han, Heung, and Jeong (resilience, joyo, and the art of giving). The book is a memoir, travelogue, guidebook as well as a cultural commentary. It also includes recipes of some authentic Korean dishes. 

Kaizen by Sarah Harvey

Everyone recommends ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear as the most remarkable book on creating lasting changes that will turn your life around and while I really liked the book and would recommend it as well, I think ‘Kaizen’ by Sarah Harvey is the one you should pick up if you aren’t keep on self-help but would like to get started. This is like a starter-kit to a world of self discovery. It outlines Japanese habits that are seemingly small but leave a lasting impact in your life if practiced consistently. Kaizen meaning good change will help you transform your habits without being too hard on yourself. Harvey shows you how to use the principles of Kaizen in every area of your life and tailor it to suit your personality. 

I must admit I’m a sucker for beautifully bound books. There’s a greed to acquire it when I see one, especially if the topic appeals to me. This year, I’ve been on a self-imposed book-buying restriction. I’ve sort of vowed not to buy more books till I finish at least half of what I have in my to-be-read shelf. But during a recent trip to a bookstore with a friend who wanted a specific Nepali book, my eyes fell upon ‘The Stories Behind the Poses’ in the new arrivals section. I picked it up just to have a look but I couldn’t put it down. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have entered the bookstore if I were serious about not buying more books. But I walked out with a stunning copy of the yoga guidebook that I have been leafing through every single day since then.

I started doing yoga a few years ago, following some health issues and it really helped me heal. I had never felt more active and at ease with my body. So, now I do yoga every day for an hour and it makes me feel good about myself. My periods and skin have also gotten better. But I felt like I had gotten into it blind and wanted to educate myself about the history of yoga. Though I have several books on Ayurveda and yoga, they haven’t been as immersive reading as The Stories Behind the Poses.

The Stories Behind the Poses is a collection of Indian myths behind 50 yoga postures. Each posture is explained in detail and accompanied by a stunning illustration of a god or goddess on colorful pages. It’s a visually appealing book that can be used as a great coffee table book. It’s too beautiful not to be displayed and just shoved in the shelves. The good thing about the book is that you don’t have to read it in order and you can just dip in and out, choosing to read a few pages at a time.

If you do yoga, you can also choose to enhance your practice by learning about one pose before or after your class every day. Alongside that, you’ll also boost your knowledge about Hindu mythology. This is a must have book for yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and even students of mythology. Balkaran tells compelling stories and invites yoga practitioners to deepen their practice with a thorough understanding of what they are doing and why. 

The Stories Behind the Poses

Dr Raj Balkaran

Illustrated by Devika Menon

Published: 2022

Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Pages: 224, Hardcover

When was the last time you read a children’s book? To your child at bedtime or just simply by yourself? Most of us don’t pick up a children’s book unless there’s a child involved but reading this genre of literature can have various benefits. First, it’s bite-sized fiction and you won’t have to spend a lot of time with a book when you have a zillion things to do. Second, children’s books are highly imaginative and they really get your creative muscles working. For me, it’s an extremely relaxing activity, one that doesn’t take much mental energy. It instantly uplifts my mood and makes me feel better. I also read children’s books when I’m unwell and find myself unable to concentrate. Here are six of my favorite children’s books that are bound to appeal to you too because of their fun and light-hearted content. Additionally, they will also make you feel better about yourself and life in general, infusing your days with a dash of hope.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I will never tire of this book or even the brilliantly adapted 1996 movie starring Mara Wilson and Daniel DeVito. About a talented and genius girl who is ignored by her family and learns to fend for herself, Matilda is a heartwarming tale of a steely girl fighting the odds, in hilarious ways, to thrive in a world that seems determined to sideline her. It’s funny. It’s cute. And it’s got a fair bit of suspense as well. I recommend you read the book and watch the movie as well. You won’t regret it.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll

The beginning of the book where Alice is basking in the sun with her sister as she reads a book is a comforting scene. I always find myself reading the first couple of passages over and over again. Then Alice sees a white rabbit in a waistcoat and with a pocket watch rush by, murmuring to himself that he is late and she follows him down a rabbit hole. What happens next is a series of most peculiar events that is sure to delight you. A hallway full of doors, potions that shrink you, cakes that make you grow, and tears that turn into the sea, there are lots of fascinating things in Alice in Wonderland.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss

This is one of my all time favorite books as it’s really inspiring. It will barely take 10 to 15 minutes for you to read it but the message it leaves behind stays forever. It’s an uplifting book full of motivational lines. I really like the layout of the book as well. Each page is marvelously designed and you’ll want to look at it for a while. The book was published in 1990 but it’s a timeless classic. Dr Seuss has many books to his credit and all of them are beautifully written and illustrated but Oh, the Places You’ll Go is enjoyable and important for both children and adults alike.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I recently came across The Giving Tree and I was bowled over by the simple yet inspiring story. Marketed as a children’s book, I believe this one should be prescribed reading for people of all ages. It was published in 1964 and has been translated into several languages till date. The book conveys a powerful message about unconditional love and the joy of being with your loved ones. The simple story is a masterclass in gratitude and selflessness. Each time you read this book, you’ll be inspired to change your attitude for the better and start seeing the world in a different light.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Published in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is about the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a barn spider named Charlotte. The spider saves the pig from being slaughtered by weaving words about him in her web, thereby convincing the farmer that he is too special to be killed. There are a few other equally endearing characters and the story conveys a message about the power of friendship and love. Fern, who raises Wilbur, is such a sweet character who inspires you to cultivate a child-like innocence—you see there’s so much beauty in it. E.B.White also wrote Stuart Little which is another children’s book that I really enjoy but Charlotte’s Web is the one I pick up when I’m feeling down and need something to cheer me up.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Most of us know the character of Winnie the Pooh because we have seen it on television but how many of us have read the 1926 children’s book that all the movie adaptions are based on? If you haven’t read the book, then you are missing out. There’s a quote in the book that I find comforting: If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. There are many nuggets like this in the book which is an unlikely story of friendship. Milne shows that everyone has a place in the society and that kindness should be valued more than other traits like confidence or intelligence.

The last time most of us read poems was probably in school. We never picked up a book of poems, never having developed a taste for the elaborate language that the form of literature seems to deploy. Fair to say, we are a little intimidated by poetry, relegating it to the preferences of philosophers, students of literature, and poets themselves. 

But a few years ago, a friend forced me to read some poems she loved. I have to admit that they didn’t make much sense to me despite her coaxing me not to think too much and just let the words wash over me. It wasn’t likely that I would pick up a book of poems in the future but my friend kept insisting I was missing out and that poems could offer wisdom and insight in a way that stays with you. Seeing she felt so passionately about it, I thought I’d give it one last try and bought a book of poems called ‘Greatest Poetry Ever Written’.

Some of the poems in the book were ones I had read in school and college. They reminded me of a simpler, happier time and I read all the poems in the book, charmed by their nostalgic quality. I especially loved the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. I could even recite it from memory after a while, having read it over and over again. After this though I didn’t have much luck with poetry again and struggled to find meaning in them. 

But the good thing was I kept trying, reading them online or buying books that caught my fancy. I liked the fact that a book of poems with me meant I could dip in and out whenever I wanted without having to commit too much time, especially when I felt ambushed by work and deadlines. This was when I discovered contemporary poets like Nikita Gill and Rupi Kaur whose words resonated with me and I didn’t have to struggle to decipher the hidden meaning behind them. That being said, I’ve also come to realize that not every poem is meant for you and like my friend once told me you just have to let the words wash over you and take your time with them. 

But it would be a grave injustice if you were to sideline this important form of literature as it can be extremely comforting and make you able to look at things from a wide range of emotional perspectives. Here are some books of poems that are great starter kits if you are just getting into the genre.

Burning Roses in My Garden by Taslima Nasrin

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi writer who is famous for the book ‘Lajja’ (Shame) that describes how a Hindu family in Bangladesh is hounded by their Muslim neighbors. A fatwa was passed against her after its publication and she went into exile as well. ‘Burning Roses in My Garden’ might be her lesser known work but it is no less important. It’s an intimate collection of personal longings and political commentary and gets into the heart of what it is like being an outsider when you are in exile. The themes are mostly longing, loneliness, and sorrow.

She Must Be Mad by Charly Cox

Charly Cox is a British poet and writer whose book ‘She Must Be Mad’ is a collection of short prose and poetry that explores what it is like for a young woman to grow up in today’s society. The format of the book is unlike any other you might have read and that keeps things refreshing. Divided into four sections and exploring a variety of themes like relationships, depression, and self-image among others, She Must Be Mad will take you on a rollercoaster journey of emotions. The tone is simple and lighthearted but the themes give it the gravitas it needs to be a thought provoking read. 

Yesterday I was the Moon by Noor Unnahar

A fun thing about this book is its unique size and layout, complete with illustrations that go with the words on the page. I was enamored by the writing which is simple but hard hitting. ‘Yesterday I was the Moon’ explores courage, self-love, and cultural acceptance. There are also themes of love and loss and the cathartic nature of art. The Pakistani poet’s voice is unique and her poems get better in the second half of the book as she gains confidence with her words. Though meant for a young-audience, I think people of all ages will be able to relate to the poems as the themes are universal. 

The Girl and the Goddess by Nikita Gill

‘Fierce Fairytales’ by Nikita Gill is one of my all time favorite books. It’s a modern take on traditional fairy tales. Gill has many books to her credit but I’d recommend you start with ‘The Girl and the Goddess’ to get a taste and feel of her style of work first. Like Charly Cox’s book, this too has a mix of poetry and prose and is thus really easy to get into. Exploring Hindu mythology and legend, The Girl and the Goddess tells the story of Paro, a girl born into a family that is still dealing with the pain of the partition in India. It’s a very evocative and stirring work that is likely to stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver

This slim book of poetry is a must read, though slightly more complicated than the rest of the books on this list. In ‘A Thousand Mornings’ Oliver takes us to the marshland and coastline of her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Here, while looking at the leaves of trees or mourning the passing of her treasured dog, she imparts valuable life lessons with unmatched clarity and humor. The mundane daily occurrences come alive in her poems and the book reminds us of how glorious life can be if we just started paying a little more attention to the small things around us.

Unstoppable Women Series

Luja Mathema

Illustrations by Prakash Ranjit

Language: English & Nepali

Publisher: Nepa~laya

Published: 2024

Pages: Four books, around 30 pages each, Hardcover

Written by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, there’s a book (that can double as a great coffee table book) called ‘Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls’ that features short stories about 100 real inspiring women who can be role models to children. It was published in 2016 and aimed at children six and up. Since then, it has sold over one million copies and been translated into more than 47 languages. 

The book has full-page illustrations of women like Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Judy Blume etc. followed by their stories. It makes for a great book to read during bedtime or when you just want a bite-sized read. Though a fabulous book, there is a lack of representation since the book is primarily meant for a Western audience. There isn’t a single story about a Nepali woman in the two book series. But Nepa~laya’s ‘Unstoppable Women Series’, a collection of four books about various Nepali women bridges that gap. 

Featuring Ambika Shrestha, Ani Choying Drolma, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, and Sapana Pradhan Malla, the series is a brilliant collection of stories of women who have excelled in their respective fields. Unlike Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, where each woman is confined to two pages, in the Unstoppable Women Series the four featured women all get their own beautifully illustrated books. Each hardcover book is about 30 pages long and the stories are narrated in both English and Nepali. 

The perfectly bound slim volumes take you on a journey through these amazing women’s lives, inspiring you to look at life a little differently. Tourism entrepreneur Ambika Shrestha’s life, from Sikkim, India to Nepal, is testimony of the powers of hard work and discipline. Buddhist nun and singer Ani Choying Drolma’s story speaks of the value of pursuing your life’s calling. Similarly, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to climb Mt. Everest, teaches you how grit and resilience can help you achieve the impossible. Sapana Pradhan Malla, a judge in the Nepali Supreme Court, is an advocate for equality. I made a friend’s daughter read her story and she told me she wants to be like Malla when she grows up. When I asked her what she meant by that, she said she wants to speak her mind and call out all the wrong things in our society. 

All the four books, despite being short, make you want to take your time with them. You will pause to look at the illustrations and when you finish one book, you don’t immediately want to jump onto the next, pausing instead to think about these women’s lives and compare and contrast your own or the lives of women you know with theirs. You realize how women in Nepal have been bound by societal expectations and challenges and yet continue to strive to forge their own paths. It makes you value them more and consider how things could be different, if society was as accepting of them as it is of men. 

All in all, the Unstoppable Women Series is a great collection to read with your children, or by yourself. It’s not just books for girls and women but for boys and men as well, as there are lots of life lessons to learn from these fabulous women who have braved a lot in life to change the world around them and make a name for themselves.

I must admit that I’m not a fan of non-fiction. I prefer fiction as it takes me to different worlds and allows me to live different lives, albeit vicariously. I also enjoy getting to know all these different people and characters, as in real life I’m not a very social person and my contact with people, outside family and work, is limited. I could say I’m more attached to fictional characters than real people. I also find that I’m a fast reader while reading fiction. Non-fiction needs a longer processing time and sometimes, I tend to want to cross-reference what I’ve just read with information available online and that takes me on a different path altogether. 

But that doesn’t mean I don’t read non-fiction. I’m a lot pickier than I am while choosing fiction titles. I have to be really drawn to the subject or need to have heard another fellow reader whose book choices I resonate with talk about it to pick up a non-fiction work. Usually, my husband recommends some titles he thinks I would enjoy as he mostly reads non-fiction. I also have a few colleagues who prefer non-fiction over fiction (I will never understand why) and they have suggested some really good books. So, over time, I’ve read quite a few non-fiction works. They might make for less than 10 percent of all the reading I have done in life till now but I’ve come across some really good works that I find myself picking up when I need some motivation. 

In February this year (which, I must mention, has been a good year of reading so far), I found myself leafing through some non-fiction titles, trying to pick up some helpful tips to restructure my life, get a mental grip on myself, become more attuned to my body and its needs, and generally live a more mindful and thus meaningful life. These were all books I had read in the past that had taught me quite a few life lessons. So, this week, as the month comes to an end, I thought I’d share a list of these books with you, hoping they might help bring comfort and perspective in your life when you need it the most. 

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I read this book over a decade ago. It wasn’t even available at bookstores in Nepal and I ended up ordering a pricey copy from the US. I was intrigued by the title. The book is about the authors’ experiments in trying to lead a happier life. She breaks down the massive goal into achievable tasks by giving one month each to a certain area in her life. So in a particular month, if she’s trying to be more organized, in another she’s focusing on boosting energy. It’s not preachy like most self-help books and that’s what I liked the best about it. 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Crying in H Mart is a memoir that was published in 2021. Michelle Zauner is a singer and guitarist of the band called Japanese Breakfast. The book is an expansion of an essay by Zauner that was published in The New Yorker in 2018. I had read the essay and there was a lot of hype surrounding the book. But I couldn’t bring myself to read it for a long time as it talks about the death of Zauner’s mother and grief is the main theme. But once I read it, I could help recommend it to people. It’s an honest portrayal of what losing a loved one looks like and teaches you to consider the idea of death in ways you haven’t before.  

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg 

This is a book that my husband recommended. He’s a huge fan of Charles Duhigg’s works and Supercommunicators is the author’s latest book. He thought it would be helpful if both of us read this book as it might make us communicate better in general and with each other as a couple. The book is an eye-opener on how we choose to communicate and why we often get it wrong. Duhigg teaches you how to recognize and respond to the emotion rather than being focused on what is being said and how. The book reveals the art and science of being an effective communicator. 

Atomic Habits by James Clear

I believe everyone has heard about or read this book. This was an instant bestseller when it came out in 2018, with the title being sold-out at most bookstores in Nepal. Even friends who didn’t read much otherwise were carrying this book around. This book presents a proven system for building good habits and breaking bad ones. It also presents the one percent rule, which is if you can get one percent better every day for a year, you will end up 37 times better by the end of the year. It focuses on the power of small habits in creating a lasting change in your life. 

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

I don’t cry easily and this book made me sob like no other. An autobiographical work written by an American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi about his life while battling stage four metastatic lung cancer. He was just 36 years old. It was published posthumously and there’s an epilogue by his wife, Lucy, that’s just heartbreaking. But as sad as the story is, the book actually gives a hopeful message. It’s about finding beauty and hope even when the odds are stacked against you. There’s also lots about his medical training days that gives you insight into the world of medicine and how hard doctors work to provide their patients the best possible care.

A New Earth by Ekharte Tolle 

This book was chosen twice by Oprah Winfrey for her book club so that speaks volumes about how good the book actually is. In fact, it’s a book that people of all ages can read in order to live a better life. The book has a lot of basic concepts that you might already be familiar with but it presents them in a way that makes you think about them and incorporate them in your daily life. For example, being present in the moment is something we all know we should do but how often do we do it? Tolle shows you why it’s important but doesn’t offer instructions. A New Earth is basically a guide to becoming your best self while allowing you to do it in your own way. 

Wisdom of the Gods for You and Me by Devdutt Pattanaik 

Devdutt Pattanaik is one of my favorite authors. He writes on mythology and breaks down complex religious concepts to make it interesting and palatable. The first book that got me hooked to his works was My Hanuman Chalisa. I read Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don’t Tell You next which was an exploration of queerness in Hinduism and there was really no looking back. I think I have read most of his works but Wisdom of the Gods for You and Me is the one I reach for every now and then when I need some mental clarity. It soothes and calms me down. It makes me feel less emotionally overwhelmed. I think everyone could benefit from some spiritual guidance and this book is just perfect for it. 

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman

This is an easy book to dip in and out of. It has 366 short chapters, each of which is just a page long. It’s a beautifully compiled daily meditations on stoic wisdom that’s designed to make you happier, resilient, and virtuous. Philosophy books are usually heavy and preachy but The Daily Stoic is an easy guide to understand stoicism and benefit from it. It teaches you how you can approach your problems, work, and relationships by first quoting what famous philosophers have said and then interpreting them in simple ways. It will help you understand how to deal with things that aren’t in your control. 

Exile by Taslima Nasrin

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi writer, physician, feminist, and activist. She’s known for writing about women’s oppression and the different issues with religion as well as for her memoir Lajja which means shame in English. Exile was published in 2016 and is the author’s experiences during her exile from Bangladesh in 2007 and 2008. Exile is a difficult but important book to read that makes you think about all the things you take for granted in life, like freedom, routine, and even something as basic as having a place to call home. The book also has poems and journal entries that Nasrin wrote during her exile that shed light on her mental state during the difficult time. 

Triumph of the Heart by Megan Feldman Bettencourt 

Human beings tend to hold a lot of grudges. It’s perhaps our most common failing. But, if you think about it, it does us a lot of harm. Our grudges hold us back and make us sad and bitter. Oftentimes, our relationships suffer and so does our self-esteem. In Triumph of the Heart, Megan Feldman Bettencourt shows how and why forgiving is the easier thing to do. Giving the example of a father who forgave the man who murdered his son, Bettencourt explores the benefits of forgiveness both from a scientific perspective and a human one. It’s the most eye-opening, uplifting book I’ve read and I think it really changed the way I deal with things in life. 

For years after I got married and moved into my own home, I tried to do what my mother has always done: maintain a lush beautiful garden. I didn’t have much space so I bought a lot of pots and planters and took to turning our balcony into a tiny green oasis. I also placed plants strategically around the house, in the living room and the bedroom. I bought expensive plants, considering them to be one-time investments, got cuttings from mom and some friends, and even tried my luck with some seeds.

When it was all done and in place, it looked beautiful. I had a variety of indoor and outdoor plants as well as herbs and chili growing in containers along the kitchen window sill. I thought I was sorted. Till they eventually began to droop and die, one by one. By the end of two years, my initially lush snake plant, that I had bought for an eye-watering amount, had one lone stem standing.

I didn’t give up. I bought more plants and quickly had the situation under control. The pots were looking full and luscious once again. But the same thing would happen. After a while in our apartment, the plants just didn’t look as happy and healthy as they did when I had first gotten them. They started losing their fullness, developing patches on the leaves, and turning yellow.

I did everything I could to save my plants. I searched for information online to figure out what I was doing wrong. I asked my mother and friends for advice. I downloaded an app that I could use to take and upload a photo of my plants and it would give me detailed care instructions for them.  At one point, I even tried talking to them and then eventually ignoring them wondering if it was the extra attention that was making them act up. But nothing worked. They would all wither and die and I would have to get new ones again.

I took comfort in the fact that there were many people like me out there. I have a friend who always says she’s in a short-term relationship whenever she gets a new plant. When it dies, she says she’s going through a breakup. A colleague says he and his wife have finally given in and bought some ‘real-looking’ fake plants for their living space. It doesn’t need watering and fertilizing. And they don’t have to worry it might die. All it needs, they say, is a good wipe down once in a while and it looks good. Minimal effort, maximum effect, they say.

I was tempted to buy one myself. After all, in the long run, even the most expensive one would be far cheaper than buying a real Peace Lily every few months. Some of these fake plants that look almost real (in one case, my husband even tried to tear a leaf because he thought it was real) cost upwards of Rs 8,000. I’ve considered buying one that I thought would look great in our living room and it was priced at a whopping Rs 15,000. I think there’s a market for fake plants since there are many plant murderers like me.

But my mother studied Botany and I’m her daughter. I couldn’t buy fake plants and dishonor her like that. That was my illogical reasoning. I couldn’t just give up. And so, when we shifted homes three years ago, I tried again. I pretty much vowed this would be the last time I’d buy plants as a new home had pretty much siphoned our finances. And so, I bought everything again. From the expensive Snake Plant to the hard-to-maintain Chrysanthemums, I went all out. But this time, I also bought the right gardening mix and good quality fertilizers. I repotted the plants instead of just placing them around the house in the containers they came in. Much like I did before, I started googling and learning about the different kinds of plants and their requirements. I was determined to see my plants thrive.

And so far, I’m happy to report that, with the exception of one or two, they are all thriving really well. A well-lit house helps, I’ve realized. Most indoor plants need a lot of natural light. They also don’t like to be overcrowded. Plants that are on their own or with just another one for company seem to thrive better than plants that are clustered together. There’s also really no need to water them every day or even every other day. If possible, open the windows to let in fresh air as plants seem to like that. It’s also a good idea to spray water on their leaves every now and then, apart from the usual watering.

A relative came home during our homewarning and said that he’d like to see what happened to the plants in a few months time. The scorn was evident in his voice. I think I wanted to prove him wrong so badly that this time whenever I’ve noticed a plant behaving weirdly, I’ve almost instantly replanted them or shifted them to a new place. I’ve come to realize that most plants don’t thrive because their lighting requirements aren’t met or because something is off with the soil.

Repotting or moving a withering plant to well lit or a spot that doesn’t get direct light has often done the trick and saved them from dying. Along with that, it’s also quite important to get their watering needs right. Some plants need moist soil while some have to completely dry out between watering sessions. There are good guides on various plants’ light, water, and fertilizer requirements on the internet and following it has worked to my advantage. I also find talking with a local gardener or nursery owner helps. They are able to tell you what is wrong with a plant by looking at them. I’ve often shown them pictures of my plants and the advice they have given me has worked wonders in ensuring they grow really well.

It’s disheartening when your plants wilt and don’t look lush but don’t give up. It’s quite common for them to look a little frail during winter but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t look healthy and lush when the season changes and it’s bright and warm. More often than not, people also tend to replace plants without giving them enough time to recover. Gardening requires patience and practice and it can be extremely rewarding to see something you have brought in and taken care of thrive and grow.