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I must have written about this book at least half a dozen times and I recommend it whenever I get the chance. My close circle of friends have perhaps all received copies of this glorious book and I might as well confess that I have forced them into watching the movie as well. It’s my feel-good, happy, and calming book that I turn to when I’m feeling anxious, facing a reading slump, or simply need a distraction from what’s going on around me. 

Roald Dahl is a master storyteller. His books transport you into worlds you could have never imagined. ‘The BFG’, ‘The Twits’, and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ are some of his works that I am fond of and think everyone should read. But ‘Matilda’ is my favorite and a book that I can’t talk about without gushing and becoming super excited. 

On the surface, it seems like a simple story about a girl who is an outcast in her own family. Her parents don’t think highly of her despite her obvious genius. But Matilda is far too advanced for her age. She can read and write before anyone else in her class and she can multiply big numbers in her head. Her teacher thinks she has a bright future but her school principal and her own parents think of her as a nuisance. Matilda soon learns that she has to take care of herself as no one is looking out for her. And she does so with a lot of charm, style, wit, and a little bit of magic. 

What I love about the book is that it’s hilarious but teaches you some invaluable lessons along the way. It’s an interesting take on carving your own path in life, no matter how dire your circumstances. It’s also about being true to who you are and not letting the world shut you down. Matilda knows her worth, even when people around her make her question it and she’s not afraid to stand up for what’s right. It’s really heartwarming and inspiring. 

Reading Matilda as an adult just hits differently. I first read it when I was in school and just thought of it as a funny story. Then after a couple of rereads, I started understanding the nuances of it. If you think a children’s book couldn’t be so poignant, then you haven’t come across some really great ones, Matilda being one of them. The themes of the story—parental affection, bullying, and the need to belong—are universal and highly relatable. Matilda teaches you to stand up for yourself, even when it feels like the hardest thing to do. 

I really like how she maintains her sanity during difficult times by finding solace in books. It’s also something I tend to do. When I was in school and college, if I were upset about something, my mother would always tell me to go to my room and read. It was the best way for me to relax and not lose my cool. Matilda reads when she’s upset and angry and books are her best friend. It’s a reminder of how something as simple as a good story can help you get out from the depths of despair. 

Another good thing about this book is that you can breeze through it in a single afternoon—a perfect holiday read. And it makes you fall in love with books and reading as well. Miss Jenny, Matilda’s homeroom teacher, is kind and caring. Her life hasn’t been easy but she hasn’t lost touch with her real self. She makes you believe in the goodness in people and how it’s possible to rise above your circumstances if that is what you truly want.

All in all, Matilda is one of my favorite books because it calms me down while making me look at the positive side of things even when nothing seems to be going my way. It’s a short, sweet read that will leave a lasting impact. Read it out loud to your children or by yourself on a sunny afternoon—whatever you choose to do, you are in for a treat. 

Matilda 

Roald Dahl 

Illustrations by Quentin Blake

Published: 1989

Publisher: Puffin Books

Pages: 229, Paperback

Thrillers make for quick, compelling reads which is exactly what you might want to pick up this holiday season, when you have a million things to do but also want to read something. I’m going to be reading Riley Sager’s ‘Lock Every Door’ this Dashain. It’s not a slim book but I expect to breeze through it because Sager tells gripping stories. 

A friend has borrowed several thrillers to keep her company this Dashain which made me want to recommend some of my favorites here today.

These three titles are guaranteed page turners and will give you the perfect excuse to spend some time holed up in your room, away from all the chatter and socializing, which might be just what you need every now and then. 

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This is a thick book but you won’t want to put it down. There is even a Netflix series based on the book and it’s every bit as enjoyable as the book. More than 20 years ago, Claire and Lydia’s teenage sister vanished without a trace and the two sisters haven’t spoken since then. The two sisters lead very different lives but when Claire’s husband is killed in a robbery gone wrong, it forces the two sisters to confront past demons and wounds. Slaughter has written many books but this is probably her best one. It’s a crime novel that will make your spine tingle. 

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

I had had enough of reading Frieda McFadden after I read ‘The Housemaid’ series because I felt like I could predict where she would take the story. That often happens when you read novels by a certain thriller writer back to back. But when I saw the cover of ‘The Tenant’ I was intrigued and I couldn’t help myself. Blake Porter is living the good life. He has a successful career and a steady girlfriend. But when he is suddenly fired from his job, things begin to unravel. For starters, he is forced to take in a tenant when he can’t find another job. She seems like a nice choice but strange things start happening and Blake wonders if she is out to get him. The plot is gripping and will probably have you reading late into the night. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Published in 2019, this psychological thriller by Alex Michaelides will perhaps always remain at the top of my best thriller’s list. It follows the curious case of a woman who becomes mute after murdering her husband. The story is narrated by Theo Faber, her psychotherapist. The story can feel a bit disturbing at times but the execution is flawless. It feels very real. Alicia and Theo seem like people you know and the narrative is engaging and never over the top. I highly recommend this brilliant book that you will be raving about once you finish it. 

There are times when I want to read a good story but find myself unable to concentrate. I have been meaning to read ‘Butter’ by Asako Yuzuki which is a 400 odd pages book but I just haven’t been able to immerse myself in it. Unfortunately, I also don’t want to read short stories, which is usually what I reach for when I’m unable to get into a longer book. These are the times shorter narratives or novellas come to the rescue. Trust me, you get that sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing a book while having none of the pressure and putting less energy into it as well. 

My husband likes novellas too as he’s more of a non-fiction guy who likes to get an occasional dose of fiction in his reading diet. And he (as well as a few other reader friends) agrees that it’s almost like reading a fully developed story if the author is a good writer. Sometimes, the characters aren’t properly fleshed out and that really bothers me but there are some authors who are at the top of their game when it comes to writing shorter novels. Here I recommend three of my favorites, hoping you will find the time to squeeze them into your busy schedule or at least during the Dashain holidays when there’s a rare moment to sit by yourself and recharge. 

Foster by Clare Keegan

Clare Keegan is the mistress of novellas. I read ‘Small Things Like These’, a historical fiction that won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It’s a lovely little book that I’ve been recommending to everyone I meet. So obviously I had to pick up ‘Foster’ when I saw it at the bookstore. I didn’t even bother reading the blurb. Foster seems simple but it packs an emotional punch. Set in Ireland, it’s about a young girl who is sent to live with distant relatives on her mother’s side, when her mother is about to have another child. The ‘foster’ parents are affectionate and kind and the three develop an unshakable bond, despite knowing that the girl is only there for a while. It’s a heartwarming and sad story on the need for connection and love. 

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

This is a fun and uplifting debut novel by Japanese writer Satoshi Yagisawa. It was published in Japan in 2010 and only translated into English in 2023 by Eric Ozawa. It’s basically a story about a young woman called Tomoko who feels a little lost in life. She slowly rebuilds her life while living and working in her uncle Satoru’s second-hand bookshop in Tokyo. There’s something about books set in Japan that makes me happy from the inside. Perhaps it’s the slow pace or the aesthetic setting and ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ is no different. It’s a well written book where nothing much happens but you are nonetheless captivated by the characters. It made me realize the importance of tackling your problems head on, albeit slowly and gently, instead of ignoring them. The book feels like a friend holding your hand and guiding you through life. 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

‘Orbital’ is the winner of The Booker Prize 2024. The novel is about six astronauts as they rotate in a spacecraft above earth. They see the earth from a unique vantage point and start asking questions about what it means to be alive. Their reality is fragmented, being so far away from home, yet so close. It’s fascinating to see how their minds work, which is so unlike a regular humans’ on earth and yet you will be able to relate to their thoughts. What I loved about the book is definitely Samantha Harvey’s writing that makes the universe around the space station come alive. At times, you will feel like you are there, with the astronauts, listening to their stories. It’s also a great book to dip in and out of as there’s an essay-ish quality to it. The book isn’t plot driven so that helps too. This is a book that’s unlike anything you have or will ever read. 

We are living in a volatile world. And while we have always known that in the back of our minds, with increasing wars and hate crimes throughout the world, what has happened in Nepal this week has been a stark and ugly reminder of the fact. I, like most millenials, can’t make sense of what’s happening. Conversations with family and friends help but since we are all struggling to understand what’s going on and how humans can be so brutal and commit such horrifying acts, sometimes we all get sucked into a deep well of melancholy from where there is no getting out.

When this happens, as a reader, it’s only natural for me to turn to books and recommend books to those around me as well. I also find myself actively seeking recommendations from friends too. It’s interesting to know what books they turn to when they find themselves lost and helpless.

As a millennial, I feel like we have seen a lot—from the Royal massacre and people’s revolution to massive natural calamities and even a pandemic. And somehow we have managed to wrap our heads around it and survive, perhaps even emerge stronger. But what happened this past week was unimaginable. The image of a boy clad in a school uniform being carried away as blood dripped from his head is something I will never forget and be able to understand. Such horrors are countless. 

I feel like if I don’t divert my mind and try to make sense of the world, in an increasingly hostile environment, I will not be able to function. So I picked up a selection of books that I feel will be able to help. These are books that I have read before and plan to reread in bits and spurts. I believe they will allow me to play with ideas that I might not necessarily agree with but those that are important to understand. 

Why Men Rape by Tara Kaushal

This book is a result of meticulous hard work involving a lot of data collection and research. Kaushal  traveled extensively through India, talking to both victims and perpetrators of violence. She  interviewed those who have been accused of rape and men involved in gang rapes as well. Many times, she received threats and had to seek police protection. Kaushal argues as well as shows through anecdotal evidence how patriarchy and misogyny have armed men with a deep sense of entitlement, one which leaves them unable to understand the meaning of the word no. I think this is a good book to understand the psychology of men who choose to commit violent crimes as well as discuss an issue that is so often swept under the carpet in Nepal. I’m already rereading it to understand the psychological aspect of crime. 

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari is a genius. In ‘Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind’, he has explained human history in an engaging and entertaining way. His writing is smooth and you don’t feel like you are reading a difficult book despite some concepts being hard to grasp. The book received a fair bit of criticism with some readers and critics calling it superficial and simplistic. But I think it’s a great window to how humans got to where we are. It also explains the origins of almost all aspects of mankind including religion, society, and civilization. There’s a lot of evolutionary psychology here too that might be helpful to understand how humans have evolved and where we are at today. I recommend you read the book in spurts to understand some key concepts if you aren’t in the mood to read a 500 page long narrative at the moment. It will definitely help to make sense of how societies work and maybe see the current chaos in a different way. 

Against Empathy by Paul Bloom

I read this a long time ago and must have reread the passages I have highlighted a few times ever since then. ‘Against Empathy’ is a brilliant book on how being empathetic isn’t all that great as it’s made out to be. Bloom actually makes a case against empathy, suggesting how we might be better off without it. He says that while empathy seems noble, it’s a flawed guide for making moral decisions. For someone like me who grew up being taught the importance of empathy and its importance to live life as morally as possible, this book came as a shocker. Initially, I couldn’t make sense of what Bloom was saying but as I read the book, I realized how empathy can work against us without us even realizing it. Bloom argues that empathy makes us focus on individuals rather than the broader picture. You then make decisions based on emotions rather than a fair assessment of the situation. Biases are inherent in empathy and it impairs judgement, he says. The book makes you look at your ideas and question where they might be flawed. I loved it and I’m sure everyone reading it will find something to take home. 

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

We need to read more books on feminism if we ever hope to create a fair and safe society. On Tuesday, the second day of the protests, a 20 something boy, who was in my lane to set fire to a house, made lewd comments and even tried to come close and put his hand on my shoulders. I could see he felt so powerful and much of it came from the fact that he was a man, despite being half my age. Roxane Gay’s book of essays on feminism, race, and pop culture will make you look at important issues from different perspectives. Gay is an excellent observer of society and her analysis helps clear out the tangles of ideas and thoughts in your head. The book was written over a decade ago but the ideas and themes are still relevant today. The arguments in the book are well researched and clear and make for insightful reading. 

The Doctor and the Saint by Arundhati Roy

I love Arundhati Roy’s writing and ideas. I will read anything she writes and I wish she published more often than she does. Her latest book, a memoir, ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me’ is what I’m currently reading and I love it. Her writing has me in a trance. ‘The Doctor and the Saint’ is the Gandhi Ambedkar debate that argues how the caste system was promoted in India by one of its most revered figures. It’s a look at how the caste system oppresses the poor and the voiceless and gives unjustified power to some. The book can get depressing at times but this short but intense work by Roy opens your eyes to how pervasive the caste system is and how that has been harming our society for ages. By examining the contrasting stances of Gandhi and Ambedkar, she provides insight into their lives and guiding principles. What I especially like about Roy’s writing in this book is her wry sense of humor.