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In 2007, the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the government to recognize same-sex marriages. But there still are no laws for it. Despite introducing a ‘third gender’ or ‘other’ category in our citizenship and passport, the truth remains that Nepal’s LGBTIQA+ community faces discrimination on a daily basis. Our society is limited by its narrow mindset. I believe stories can change that. It can tweak people’s thinking and how they see things. Here I’m recommending three books that will give you the nudge you need to try and be more open about gender and understand that it’s just a man-made construct. The Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman There are four volumes in this graphic novel series and each book is so short that you can breeze through one in a day. The story, which is cute and heartwarming, tackles crucial issues like abuse and homophobia. The artwork gets considerably better from the second book onwards but the story grips you right from the start. We are introduced to Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. The two first meet at a British all-boys grammar school. They fall in love. Charlie is high-strung and an overthinker. Nick is cheerful and soft-hearted. Though they are polar opposites, they come together quite beautifully, balancing out each other’s flaws. It’s such a great representation of a queer relationship and of people coming to terms with their gender identities. Much of the series is available online and you won’t have to buy the books if you don’t feel like it. But you will definitely enjoy this lovely tale of friendship and love. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T J Klune This is the book I want to reread this year because I remember feeling really happy while reading it. A queer himself, the author has weaved a nuanced queer love story into the main plot which is mostly fantasy. Klune is a great writer and an empathetic one at that. He doesn’t force his ideas on you but still manages to jostle you a bit into changing your mind about things. That’s the power of his writing. ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ is about a world with magical creatures. Linus Baker is a caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youths, a ministry much like any other ministry in our world. He lives alone in a tiny house with a cat for company. He is assigned to go to an orphanage on a remote island where there are six magical children to determine whether these children are as dangerous as the ministry thinks they are. But as Linus gets to know these mysterious children and the person who runs the orphanage, Arthur Parnassus, he might have finally found a place to call home. A Very, Very Bad Thing by Jeffery Self Seventeen-year-old Marley is a “snarky gay kid from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, watching life through the disconnected Instagram filter of my generation and judging every minute of it.” His parents support him and his best friend is amazing. He meets Christopher and falls in love. But Christopher’s father is the famed televangelist Reverend Jim Anderson who is involved in the movement called “pray-the-gay-away”. He and his wife will never accept Christopher for who he is. The story is about two gay boys trying to be themselves and enjoy life in a hostile environment. It also depicts how societal expectations and limitations can lead to mistakes and horrors that can’t be undone.

There are some books that you want to like but, no matter how hard you try, you just don’t get them. ‘Fever Dream’ by Samanta Schweblin was one of those books for me. I’d heard about the book a long time back. Translated from Spanish, it was supposed to be a good one. But every time I picked up the book, I’d lose interest in it after a few pages. I thought it was me and not the book. This time, I’m boldly going to declare it’s the book and not me. I’ve given it enough chances. There is something about the narrative that’s very confusing. Let me tell you that there are rave reviews of the book on the internet. But don’t be fooled. I think much of the publishing world is about praising authors when they least deserve it. If you can’t understand it or if it seems bizarre, then it must definitely be good right? The problem with the narrative of Fever Dream is that everything is haphazard and you have to piece together what might have happened based on the vague information. Sometimes, you don’t even know who’s talking unless they take names or you find yourself going back a few pages to make sense of things. The premise is interesting. It’s just poorly executed. A woman named Amanda and her daughter, Nina, are at their holiday home in the countryside. Here, Amanda becomes friendly with a woman named Carla who tells her that her eight-year-old son, David, isn’t wholly him. His soul has ‘transmigrated’ into another body. This boy, Carla says, is a monster. Amanda thinks Carla is delusional. What else could it be? But as Amanda lies dying at a hospital and David interrogates her about the events leading up to her sickness, she begins to relive the day by the end of which both she and Nina had been poisoned. She wonders whether Carla was indeed telling the truth but David dismisses them as ‘stories his mother tells’. As all this goes on, you, the reader, are left wondering what’s real and what’s not. It could have been a fascinating read had it not been so weirdly creepy and all over the place. Fever Dream is a short book. There isn’t much space to beat around the bush. But that’s exactly what the story does and that’s why it feels so tedious. Two stars Fiction Fever Dream Samanta Schweblin Translated by Megan McDowell Published: 2017 Publisher: Oneworld Publications Pages: 151, Paperback https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30763882-fever-dream

Some stories will change how you look at the world. They will force you to think in ways you never thought possible. This week, I recommend three such books. They are all beautifully and unconventionally written making reading them an absolute joy. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz The story revolves around two Latino boys, Aristotle or Ari and Dante, who first strike a friendship at the pool where Dante teaches Ari how to swim. The two main characters lead different lives. Dante is the son of professors and he is a confident person. Ari, on the other hand, is shy and comes from a modest background with a brother in prison. Dante has an unusual way of looking at things. Ari is an angry teen. The two have nothing in common but get along like a house on fire. The book explores how their relationship evolves from a friendship to something much more. This is a YA novel that I believe will resonate with readers of all generations. It’s the book I wish I had read while growing up. The beautiful coming-of-age story is a thought-provoking exploration of sexuality and identity. It also disavows toxic masculinity and shows you that being strong doesn’t mean you have to be unemotional or resort to violence. It doesn’t have plot twists or drama to keep you on your toes. But the beautiful moments between the two keep you hooked till the end. Best, there’s a sequel too. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo This is a story of a 15-year-old girl named Xiomara and how she feels disconnected from her family. Her mother is a devout Catholic who wants Xiomara to follow in her footsteps. But Xiomara is having none of that. She wants to do her own thing. To release her pent-up frustrations, she writes poems, which keeps hidden in a notebook under her bed. Then, a slam poetry club forces her into sharing her poems and revealing her secrets. ‘The Poet X’ is written in the form of a collection of poems. Each poem tells a little story that gives you a deeper understanding of Xiomara and her life. You meet a young girl who is trying to find her voice and is unable to conform. Perhaps you might even see yourself or someone you love in Xiomara. It’s a beautiful story about love, change, and the beauty of believing and holding onto your dreams. 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo Originally written in Chinese in 2000 and translated into English in 2008, ‘20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth’ tells the story of Fenfang Wang, a 21-year-old girl who leaves the monotony of her village to start a new life in one of the most fast-paced cities in the world, Beijing. Not prepared for city life, Fenfang struggles to make her dream come true. The novel is a series of unconnected chapters, without a clear beginning or an end. It feels like someone is talking to you, telling you their life story. The main plot revolves around Fenfang’s failed relationships and how she is determined to live a life that’s not dictated by the men in her life. The book isn’t a happy one and the author has left many loose ends. But that’s precisely what makes it so relatable. It’s a great book to read when you are feeling down and low as it will make you realize life has its ups and downs and that’s okay.  

Men and women have always been governed by different ‘rules’, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Women exist in relation to men, as mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. An unspoken code of conduct determines how we can behave and be. In our society, patriarchy weighs heavily on women who still find themselves to be the second sex in almost every sphere of life. ‘The Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas explores how women are oppressed and deemed ‘mad’ if and when they don’t fit into societal ideals. I think we should all read this book to understand what our society has done and still does to strong-willed women, and how women are considered misfits if they aren’t subservient. The book is based on events in 19th-century Paris—the atrocities women endured in the Salpêtrière 200 years ago where voyeurism was often masked as medical treatment. The critically acclaimed French historical fiction novel narrates the mistreatment and dehumanization of women considered ‘mad’ and confined within a women’s asylum. The Salpêtrière is a dumping ground of sorts for women ‘who disturb the peace’, for those who have an opinion, or those who don’t fit into the molds crafted by men. Eugénie Cléry is a young woman with a mind of her own. She’s courageous, witty, and outspoken. This doesn’t sit well with her father who believes it’s not appropriate for women to be vocal and extroverted. Then the 17-year-old tells her grandmother, whom she loves dearly and believes is loved equally in return, that she can talk to ghosts. She even helps her grandmother find a necklace that the old lady had presumed was lost with the help of her grandfather. But Eugénie is tricked and then dragged to the Salpêtrière by her father. Her brother Théophile accompanies his father but doesn’t want his sister to be confined at the asylum. However, he’s unable to speak up and save her. At the Salpêtrière, Geneviéve, a matron, soon realizes Eugénie shouldn’t be there. Though initially skeptical of her gifts, the matron believes in Eugénie after she delivers a message from Geneviéve’s dead sister, Blandine, that ends up being true.  From there on, the matron wonders if Professor Charcot, the doctor who claims to only lock the ‘genuine hysterics’ at the asylum, is in fact as noble as he appears to be. She also comes up with a plan to free Eugénie. The Mad Women’s Ball reads like a thriller though the message it conveys is profound. Your heart aches for the characters, many of whom have been betrayed and exploited by men they have trusted. Despite the supernatural aspect of the story, it’s a book that will urge people to stand up for what’s right and try to give others the benefit of doubt, rather than judging and mocking what we can’t understand. Three and a half stars Fiction The Mad Women’s Ball Victoria Mas Translated from the French by Frank Wynne Published: 2019 Publisher: Transworld Publishers Pages: 210, Paperback  

A good thriller is all I need when I want to forget what’s happening around me. It takes my mind away from things and consumes me in a way that makes the world vanish. It’s the best feeling. Here, I recommend three of my favorites. These are the ones that I keep thinking about even if it’s been a while since I read them. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A rising artist, Alicia Berenson, gets convicted of murdering her fashion-photographer husband. But after shooting him in the head five times, she stops speaking. She is taken to a secure psychiatric unit but no medication or treatment can make her talk. Enter Theo Faber, a London-based psychotherapist, who is obsessed with Alicia as he has spent two decades in therapy himself, trying to overcome the trauma of a cruel father. What really happened and can Theo help Alicia? The narrative switches between Alicia’s journal entries and Theo and keeps you on the edge. It has many plot twists and leaves you guessing. Just when you believe one thing is true, you are forced to question it. Michaelides, a writer of screenplays, makes the story come alive before your eyes. A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena  Karen and Tom have been married for two years, following a whirlwind romance. Then, Karen gets into an accident in a part of town that she never goes to. There has been a murder nearby. The police think she killed the man and fled. At the hospital, the last thing Karen remembers is that she was preparing dinner and waiting for her husband to come home. Each of the characters recollects the night’s events as they try to piece together what might have happened. So, we see the story unravel through different perspectives. Lapena is good at creating tension and ‘A Stranger in the House’ is an eerie story. It’s a psychological thriller that delves into a ‘perfect’ relationship and the secret the couple keeps from each other in order to maintain that façade. Lapena’s writing is a bit trope heavy but you’ll enjoy her stories while they last. No Exit by Taylor Adams College student Darby Throne is on her way home to see her sick mother. She gets stranded at a highway rest stop in Colorado because of a blizzard. There are four other people around her, and there’s no cell phone signal. Then, she sees a little girl locked at the back of a van, inside an animal crate. She finds out who the van belongs to and is intent on saving the child. But the kidnapper finds out she has seen the girl and then her life is on the line too. The story takes a while to pick up but the tension is palpable. This is easily the best thriller you will read. It’s insane and creepy and will make your heart race.

I love Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s works. I’ve read most of her books. Perhaps all, I would dare to say, but I’m not sure because she’s written over 20 books. I’ve reread a couple, with ‘Palace of Illusions’ being one of my absolute favorites. Palace of Illusions, followed by ‘One Amazing Thing’, solidified Divakaruni’s place among great writers. Her latest release, ‘Independence’, tells the story of the birth of modern India. In August 1949, the demand for a separate Islamic nation by Muhammad Ali Jinnah-led Muslim League led to the Direct Action Day. Riots by the two communal groups led to a bloodbath in Kolkata and its effects spread to other places as well. Partition is India’s political legacy but it was horrifying and survivors can’t even begin to describe the terror. Independence is set during that troubling time. It’s a fictional story about the Gangulys of Ranipur. On Jinnah’s Direct Action Day, which is also known as the 1946 Calcutta Killings, Nabakumar, a kind-hearted doctor, rushes to his clinic where the injured are pouring in. He goes out to the street, amid gunfire, to drag in a dying patient and is hit by a bullet. He doesn’t survive. His family’s life is forever changed but linked inextricably by the tragedy. Nabakumar’s three daughters—Deepa, Jamini, and Priya—have never seen eye-to-eye but they find themselves risking their lives for one another. Deepa falls in love with Raza, the son of her father’s Muslim colleague. Jamini and Priya are in love with Amit, the son of Nabakumar’s best friend, Somnath Chowdhury. But Priya wants to be a doctor. At the time, colleges in India, especially medical colleges, were a hostile place for women. After being rejected, with Somnath’s help, she decides to go to America. Amit, who has always been in love with Priya, feels cheated. Jamini sees this as the perfect opportunity to win over Amit. Divakaruni’s writing style makes you empathize with the characters. Even Jamini, who at times seems malicious, manages to find a place in your heart. You are able to justify her actions. Bina, the girls’ mother, who wallows in her grief after her husband passes away, comes across as callous. But then she’s also a woman who has done the best she could to support her family—weaving blankets to supplement her husband’s meager income (as he’s always treating patients for free). There’s a lot to unpack in this book. Set against a disturbing backdrop, the story of sisterhood and nationhood leaves a lasting impression. But the ending is predictable. You get a sense of where the story is headed less than halfway through the book. In some ways, it reminds you of one of the many Bollywood movies you have watched over the years. But the narrative gets under your skin as you are made to think of the fact that there’s no length people won’t go to for love. Three stars Fiction Independence Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Published: 2022 Publisher: Harper Collins Pages: 285, Hardcover

Several years back, I read ‘Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal. Though it was Jaswal’s third novel it was my first time reading her. I was a little hesitant about picking it up at first since I tend to carry around the book I’m reading, often taking it to work as well. But I loved it. It wasn’t a light, fluffy read as you might assume by the title. It was a moving story of desire and female friendships. So naturally, when I came across ‘The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters’ I didn’t have to even read the blurb before deciding to buy it. I must say I was slightly disappointed by this one, given I had such high expectations going into it. It’s a story about three sisters—Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina—who are on a pilgrimage in India following the death of their mother. The British-born Punjabi sisters are carrying out their mother’s last wish. The sisters have never been close but the trip forces them to be together in a way they have never been before. Every sister, however, is running away from or towards something when agreeing to go on a trip to India. Rajni’s teenage son has dropped a bombshell on her and she doesn’t know how to handle it. Jezmeen, the middle child, is a struggling actress whom everyone has been mocking after an incident at a restaurant went viral. Shirina, the youngest one, is having problems in her marriage. A meddling mother-in-law is making matters worse. The story explores the messy dynamics of relationships and family life. It examines the lengths we are willing to go to for our loved ones and to protect what means a lot to us—whether it be our name or family. There’s a lot to unpack in this book but the only problem is that it feels like a Bollywood movie that you’ve watched countless times already. There are some laugh-out-loud moments and overall, the book is a nice escape from the humdrum of daily life. Trigger warnings though, there are a lot of mentions of forced abortion, violence against women, assisted suicide, and overbearing mothers-in-law. On a lighter note, don’t read it when you are hungry because all the talk about food will make it even worse and you’ll be left craving for things you have no way of getting your hands on, especially if you are reading the book late at night. Three-and-a-half stars Fiction The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters Balli Kaur Jaswal Published: 2019 Publisher: Harper Collins Pages: 320, Paperback

‘The Woman in the Purple Skirt’ by Natsuko Imamura was the first book I picked up this year. It was a slim volume. I thought I would finish it in a day or two and be able to tick a book off my GoodReads reading challenge very early into the new year. But the content is heavy, requiring time to mull over. It took me a week to finally finish the book. It wasn’t a great story but it was fascinating. The Woman in the Purple Skirt is a story about a woman who stalks someone, in hopes of striking up a friendship with her. At the heart of the novel is the desire for connection. Narrated in the first person by a person who calls herself the woman in the yellow cardigan, she reveals little about herself until the end of the story. It lends an element of mystery to the novel. The woman in the yellow cardigan lives close to the woman in the purple skirt and notices everything about her—from the fact that she doesn’t seem to hold down a job for too long or that she regularly enjoys eating a cream bun at the park. The story starts innocently enough but soon takes on a more ominous tone. As the narrator talks about waiting for the ‘woman in the purple skirt’ at the bus stop and in dark alleys, you stop empathizing with the character and become scared of her. The narrator’s intentions aren’t very clear, one moment she seems harmless and the other moment you are unsure if she is just lonely or if her motives are driven by something far more sinister. As the book progresses, you realize the narrator is someone the woman in the purple skirt knows, and that sends a chill down your spine. You wonder how often someone doesn’t realize he or she is being watched. The novel is reminiscent of Sayaka Murata’s ‘Convenience Store Woman’, a story about a woman who is comfortable working at a convenience store and has no society-fed ambitions in life. But Murata’s protagonist is far more likable than Imamura’s main character. However, Imamura has crafted a unique story, steering clear of all clichés and tropes. The Woman in the Purple Skirt is a bizarre story that will have you wondering what just happened more than a couple of times. But the chapters are short so that makes the story easy to follow. It’s largely a story about obsession and how it can lead to one’s unraveling in the worst possible way. And though it’s an apolitical novel, there are references to Japan’s culture and economy that add another layer to the story. Three stars Fiction The Woman in the Purple Skirt Natsuko Imamura Translated by Lucy North Published: 2021 Publisher: Penguin Books Pages: 224, Paperback