Hima Bista is the executive director of Women LEAD Nepal. The versatile woman in her forties has been educating young Nepali women to take leadership roles. She is also an avid reader. In a conversation with Babita Shrestha of ApEx, she spoke about her reading habits and preferences.

What types of books do you enjoy reading the most?

I enjoy reading non-fiction books about feminism, history, and other fiction. Horror and science fiction aren’t my thing. Apart from that, I’m pretty open to literature. My favorite genres are memoirs and Greek mythology. I mostly enjoy reading works by female authors. 

Can you name a few of your all-time favorite books?

My all-time favorite novels are Orhan Pamuk’s and Elif Shafak’s works because I love Turkish literature. I also love reading books on the Ottoman Empire. For now, I’d like to say Pamukh’s ‘My Name Is Red’ and ‘Museum of Innocence’, as well as Shafak’s ‘Bastard of Istanbul’ are my favorite books.

Moreover, I enjoy reading feminist writing, especially memoirs like ‘The Glass Castle’ by Jeannette Wall. I also enjoyed ‘My Life on the Road’ by Gloria Steinem, ‘Kara’ by Sushila Karki, and ‘Karnali Blues’ by Buddhisagar. I can’t overlook Gurcharan Das’s ‘The Difficulty of Being Good’, which contextualizes the idea of righteousness by mentioning the Mahabharata, which discusses fundamental human nature like love, hatred, compassion, and fear. Given how materialistic the world is, reading this book’s discussion on spirituality helped me process my thoughts. 

Do you prefer reading physical books, e-books, or listening to audiobooks? 

I love physical books. They are the keepers of my soul. I must always have a book with me. I need to feel the pages to fully immerse myself in a story. I need to take notes and I highlight lines I love. I’m not sure if there can be anything more satisfying than appreciating the beautifully crafted aesthetics of a book. 

Is there a book that significantly changed your perspective on something? 

Reading Gloria Steinem’s ‘My Life on the Road’ changed my life. The book’s representation of political activism and feminist road mapping not only clarified the waves of feminism but also helped me understand political advocacy and women in leadership. I’m using the lessons I learned to improve leadership among young Nepali women. 

‘Bad Feminist’ by Roxane Gay had a significant impact on my life too. The book helped me understand my thoughts and how feminism is evolving in terms of women’s rights and intersectionality. ‘Caste: The Genesis of Our Discontents’ by Isabel Wilkerson is the book I’m reading right now. I haven’t finished it yet but I feel I’m able to think clearly as I read the book. For the time being, I’m aware that I want to make our society better and I’m conscious that there is still plenty to learn and unlearn.

If you could meet any author, living or dead, for a conversation, who would it be and what would you want to discuss with them?

Without a doubt, I’d want to have a chat with Agatha Christie. She created stories that seem to be centuries ahead of her time. I will undoubtedly discuss how she created the two fantastic characters, Hercule Poirot and Lady Marple, that got global recognition, and is still being talked about today.

Bista’s picks

The Last Girl by Nadia Murad

In her memoir, Murad discusses the Yazidi community as well as the larger problem of human trafficking and sexual assault in conflict areas. In Nepal, gender-based violence isn’t given the attention it requires. This book, I believe, can be a crucial tool for bringing these issues to light and underlining the need for action and commitment.

Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk 

I’m fascinated by the literary style of the book and the way it’s connected to an Istanbul museum. I highly recommend this book that explores the nature of love, nostalgia, and memory as it challenges readers to think about their own emotions and experiences. 

Dulari by Muna Chaudhary

This is most likely the first work of fiction in Nepali literature that centers on the life of a Madhesi Dalit woman. It’s a tale about the predicament of the average Madhesi Dalit, their battles for cotton, grass, and homes, as well as how they use politics to achieve their seemingly limitless ambitions. To acquire insight into the necessity for activism and to learn more about a vulnerable community, I recommend you read this book. 

Deep Work by Carl Newport

Maintaining intense focus and concentration in the current digital age is challenging due to the presence of social media platforms. So, I highly recommend ‘Deep Work’ which specifically covers this issue and offers solutions to overcome the constant distractions.