Catch a glimpse of my eclectic bookshelf, as I delve into the diverse genres that fuel my imagination, from children’s adventures to forgotten mysteries and hidden literary gems.

Children’s Books/Young Adult Books

I think everyone will agree that the child in us is always alive. We seek that innocence and curiosity at all stages of our life. So, I never outgrew books for children and young adults. They are loaded with freshness and magic. You don’t need to open the dictionary for these and most of them take just a few hours to read, giving you respite from the stressful routine.

 A Garland of Memories by Ruskin Bond

I feel he is among the most popular authors in India even today. His books come from the heart and are simple reading.

Garland of Memories is my treasured copy as it has been signed by the author. I picked at the ‘Valley of Words Dehradun Literature Festival’ in 2018. A treasure trove of simple incidents, beautifully written, this is light reading in tough times. Each story is about two to three pages with a beautiful ending. 

The Mystery of the Missing Buddha: A Singh Sisters’ Adventure by Maulshree Mahajan

Maulshree Mahajan’s debut novel, The Mystery of the Missing Buddha, reminds me of Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ and ‘Secret Seven’ series. The first in the Singh Sisters’ Adventure series, this mysterytakes off with the meeting of young cousins, Meera, Tara and Samir for a holiday that translates into an adventure.

In the quiet, spiritual town of Dharamshala a storm is brewing. Unknown to anyone, a drug racket takes off, a man dies, a spirit guide helps and three teenagers are busy tracking the rascals. And then there is the theft of idols, sacred temple idols, the proverbial police-thief drama ensues and the children find the missing links.

There are secret passages, mysterious doors, abandoned churches and strange men, green boots and shiny belt buckles… It thrills and chills but being set in an Indian context has more Indian than sleuthing moments. Though much like the ups and downs of the hilly town, there are high and low times, there are some heart-stopping scenes, betrayals and masks.

The curiosity of young children and their love for adventure and mystery leads the Singh Sisters on a drama trail. They rope in their young male cousin, Samir, to satisfy their curiosity and move around the quiet town in a stealthy manner much like a cat on the prowl for its prey. Intelligent, articulate and thinkers, the children can give the police a run for their jobs.

Then there are the veritable tourist spots of Dharamshala mentioned in the book which actually make you long for a trip to the town. Set amidst picturesque Himalayas, the serenity reflects in the book and in the mindsets as the children visits Dalai Lama’s monastery, go for treks, and find an old church. Written simply and without much ado, the book makes for an interesting read for all age groups.

From the young to the old, all will feel like taking a trip to the town to see where the mystery unfolded. Carry it along, and you just might meet your favourite character.

An author I have loved over years in Enid Blyton. There are more that I am going to read in the coming years such as Sudha Murthy, Paro Anand, Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss, Toni Morrison, Virginia Woolf. Am also searching for authors from Australia and Africa.

I also interviewed Indian author, Manorama Jafa, in August 2014 for Harmony magazine. A Padma Shri awardee and winner of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan, she has written over 100 books for children. Among her most popular books are The Parrot and the Mynah, Laughing Parrot, The Ladybird and the Butterfly.

In recent times, I applaud author Vibha Batra to have travelled the road less taken.

Mythology Books/Fantasy Books

For me, mythology and fantasy share the same creative streak. They are both originating out of an idea beyond the visible. Myths are fantasy too, for they are neither facts nor reality. Both genres take the reader to unexplored, undiscovered realms with unreal people.

Pharoah by Wilbur Smith

I discovered him in my teens, even though I didn’t many of his books later, I could never forget the language and the depth of plots. Some authors transport you to their world. And Wilbur Smith has always brought the stories of the African continent alive. I love his expression, language and the drama that is created with layered plot.

Pharoah revolves around the famous Pharoah Ramses and his insane brother. Wars, gods, kings and kingdoms, it’s a roller coaster that keeps you hooked. And you get to read about the travails in the mysterious ancient world.

Miracles for the Maharaja (Meandering Magicians Series Book III) by Aditi Krishnakumar
I received this book in a giveaway. Aditi Krishnakumar is a new author for me and I also attended a session by her, thanks to the #BlogchatterWritFest in 2023. 

Fantasy is not an easy subject to write on. There are many realms that you are taking the reader to, and they all have to unfold adventure zones and with great surprises and thrills. Krishnakumar has done that beautifully. I also liked the fact that someone with Indian roots has taken the step to write a fantasy novel that has been the prime domain of western authors till now. The plot involves magic, sorcery, kidnapping, portals and super weapons, just about everything that seems like another planet.

I have enjoyed books by Amish, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkein. The plan is to read some books by Brandon Sanderson who also completed Robert Jordan’s ‘Wheel of Time’ series. Terry Pratchett and Margaret Atwood are also on my #TBR list.

Thrillers

This is a broad term when it comes to books as it includes suspense, mystery, spies, detectives, crime, police and anything that sends a chill down the spine (not ghosts and horror though). Thrillers are also the most popular genre, so I am not the only one craving thrills and chills. I enjoy the spyverse, the criminal twists and the victory of good over evil, albeit through questionable means.

I liked Crimson City by Madhulika Liddle. This Delhi-based author has created India’s very own old world detective, Muzaffar Jang from the Mughal era.

Way back in 2017, I was invited to a walk in Old Delhi with the famous historian Swapna Liddle and her sister Madhulika Liddle. I wasn’t aware Madhulika was a crime fiction writer. For me, Old Delhi stands for my roots as I was born in Kasturba Gandhi Hospital and lived in Chawri Bazaar for the first three years of my life. The author gifted us a signed copy of the book, which made it a treasure.

Jihadi Jane by Tabish Khair

Taking the bull by the horns, in this book acclaimed author Tabish Khair questions the radical associations with Islam. He weaves a story of two high school friends, poles apart and deeply religious. Between combating cultural differences and growing up in Yorkshire, UK, Ameena and Jamilla find a powerful Internet preacher—Hejjiye. The woman runs an orphanage-home in support of the men fighting in the name of jihad.

One fine day, they run away to join the Islamic State in Syria and it is here that the girls realize the inferno they are in. Their beliefs and dreams shatter as they see torture and lack of moral uprightness. Caged and unhappy, the girls see injustice and a joyless life. The book takes us through the lives of militant brides and their hardships amid religious fanaticism.

The book touches upon many themes such as differences in cultures, bad and rigid parenting, the illusion of social media and internet, faith, friendship, sacrifice, guilt and penetrates deep into the soul, leaving the reader with a desire for peace and balance.

I read many thrillers last year and I hope the trend continues this year.

Travel Books

Needless to say, travel and books compete for the same space in my heart. And they get an equal share. When I can’t go anywhere physically, my books take me there. When the travel happens, then I discover more books. Travel books are inspiring, giving us a peek into the other world, what others do, they way they live, what they eat and what they wear.

The Masque of Africa by VS Naipaul

This book was lying in my collection since 2010, but I read it in 2021! And the timelessness of this narrative was inspiring. Sir VS Naipaul’s books were part of my curriculum during my undergraduate studies. And to be fair, I didn’t understand his works so well then. But that was early 1990s.

Now, a few decades later, my exposure of cultures through travel writing has enhanced my brain cells and I loved the way this book takes us across Africa. This is a real account of his travels as he meets the natives, sees the customs and captures their beliefs. Each and every visit is recorded truthfully, there are no tales or pieces of imagination in this narrative. He did not want to discuss politics in the book, but no journey can be complete without some influence. And all those bits about governments are mentioned.

He takes us to Uganda, Nigeria, Gabon via the Ivory Coast and Ghana, and South Africa. You will see the continent as it stands in its rawness, nothing has been camouflaged in this book. Yes, he does it all—meet the witchdoctors, explores the land of magic and tribals, sees their rituals and then brings it back for all. You will enjoy the book if you wish to see Africa beyond the wildlife sanctuaries.

Love, Africa by Jeffrey Gettleman

Little did I know that this was a memoir, but it lay in my hoard since 2017. Jeffrey Gettleman is a senior journalist with The New York Times. I think all journalists aspire to find their feet in the hardcore world, bringing to light the tough stories, highlighting the human plight and giving the reader an option to think and find solutions. But only some manage to realize their dreams.

Gettleman’s tryst with East Africa began in his teens. This American fell in love with East Africa and ended up as a journalist who finally realized his dream of bringing the stories of Africa to the world. His journey as a war journalist, seeing countries in difficult times, facing death and disaster is nothing less than heroic. All through he gets support from his lady love whom he finally marries. Now, he has two kids too.

The Pulitzer prize-winning journalist has been kidnapped twice, met the dark forces, the rebels, sought the humane and fights racism. His American roots do not turn him into an egoistic villain, rather he seeks to make peace with the plight of life. Like all of us, he has opinions which don’t find their way into his stories, and the book reminds us that all of us experience life differently on the planet.

Madras, Chennai and the Self: Conversations with the City by Tulsi Badrinath

As a native of Chennai, Tulsi has captured the city, real life people, transition and roots in an explicit manner. There is a movement within the same circle of brightening up the culture and the roots, the good and the bad of the town, the history which gives it an air of grandeur and the ability of the city to absorb, retain, throw out and still grow. She was listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize longlist in 2008. She has written two novels set in Chennai, Meeting Lives and Man of A Thousand Chances. This book falls in the non-fiction category.

Badrinath dwells upon the names of the city, “Madraspatnam and Chennapatnam were twin names of two settlements, the British and the native, side by side near Fort St George built in 1640. To quote from my book, ‘While Madras went on to lend its name to the larger southern peninsula or Madras Presidency, it also absorbed Chennai into its fold as it grew…In the past ten years especially, there has been rapid change of the sort that leads people to distinguish ‘hip’ Chennai from ‘boring’ Madras.’ The change of name has led to people referring to the traditional aspects of the city as old Madras and the newer mall culture as Chennai. But they exist in the same geographical space.”

On my #TBR list are Among the Cities by Jan Morris (1985), Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger (1959), Chasing the Sea by Tom Bissell (2003) and more.

Humour Books/Satire/Comedy

Yes, I plan to laugh a lot in the coming years. So, am collecting books that bring a smile to my face. I recently read an Indie book, Saint Richard Parker by Merlin Franco, and realised that we need satires and humorous writings. It’s not easy making someone smile when they are reading, no cartoons or memes or stand-up comedy or comic shows.

Gupp and Gossip from the Hills by Ganesh Saili

A book surpasses all limitations of time and space. And this book by Ganesh Saili brings alive the queen of hill, Mussoorie, sister town Landour and Dehradun valley. For most of us living in Delhi, a trip to this beautiful mountain area is an unsurpassable holiday.

Beautifully written, the author, in his tongue-in-cheek style, takes us back to a time when the hills had a different ambience. With less people and more time to chatter, the hills rang with stories of fires, schools, honeymoons, ghosts, tourists and more.

Read to know the beauty, the people and the culture of this amazing region. And you will also hear about his friends–actors Victor Banerjee and Tom Alter, famous authors Ruskin Bond and Stephen Alter, the rajas who built summer homes, the Brits who lived in the cantonment and a lot more. It makes the silent indoors lively.

Talespin by Nickunj Malik

Technically, this is an anthology of columns. This is a compilation of journalist Nickunj Malik’s 100 best columns published across various newspapers in the Middle East and South Africa. Story after story pops out, from the author falling sick to learning to sew a button, finding anti-ageing creams, looking young and more. 

The different columns are illustrated with a lovely cartoon. The credit for the funny illustrations goes to Osama Hajjaj, Jordan’s leading cartoonist. Talespin is a daily dose of laughter, our everyday life which keeps us fit and fine. There are no tall fantasy tales and no great claims. Moreover, Malik is someone who loves to meet and talk. She is inspired by travel books, autobiographies and humour writing. Sir V S Naipaul and Bill Bryson are her all-time favourite authors. In fact, Sir Naipaul also came for her book launch in India.

On my #TBR list are P.G. Wodehouse’s books, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon.

Romance Books

So, no bookshelf can be complete without a mushy romantic novel. After all, what’s life without love. I grew up on Daphne du Maurier, Barbara Cartland, Victoria Holt, Mills & Boons. I refuse to part with Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, Gone with the Wind, Love Story and P.S. I Love You.

Trouble Has A New Name by Adite Banerjie

A former journalist, I became acquainted with Adite Banerjie through a freelance assignment. She used to edit a B2B journal then. Later, she wrote heart-moving romances.

In Trouble Has A New Name, she skillfully wove a story around a friend’s wedding that was to be held on the lovely Andaman and Nicobar islands. The wedding synchronized with the resort’s high-profile launch. The launch and the wedding and its coverage by a prominent TV channel was well-written.

With a lot of emotional drama, hidden family secrets, and more daily life intrigues, the book is a hotbed of love.

Dancing with Demons by Nidhie Sharma

This romantic tale would appeal to rebels. It’s all about facing your innermost fears, the negatives we have been told to suppress. Sonia is a woman who hides the darkest possible secret in her bosom, and Karan is the young boy lost in a sea of fights. The lead characters are good people closeted in circumstances they were not taught to deal with in a healthy manner.

In contrast is the modern lifestyle—the girl is a PG in the guy’s house and there is no love lost between the two. But then opposites attract. It’s a Bollywood masala but it’s also about the grand mixed-up world we live in.

Of course, my narrative preferences have changed over the years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like cheesy love stories.

Green Literature/Nature & Wildlife Books

This is a new baby. My love for the planet might have its roots in past lifetimes, but the awakening has happened now. Man and nature are inseparable and to understand this world, it is imperative to read more.

Becoming a Mountain by Stephen Alter

So, I heard of Stephen Alter during the time I was working with Swagat in 2008 (Air India’s inflight magazine). Maybe, I didn’t treasure the world of words enough then. And while I commissioned him articles for the magazine, I hadn’t read his books. He is also actor Tom Alter’s brother.

For anyone, who wants to read good English, and learn the craft, his works are truly an educational outlet. This book comprises ‘Himalayan Journeys in Search of the Sacred and the Sublime’. We appreciate the divinity that the Himalayas stand for, but with Alter we see the flora, fauna, culture and the deep love for the mountains where he was born and lives.

Born to American missionary parents in India, Alter grew up in the hills of Mussoorie, where he lives now with his wife Ameeta. For a man who spent his life traversing the forests and the mountains of Mussoorie, Alter offers an inspiring view of Nature and the magnificence it offers us. His journey to the Kailash is not rooted in religion, but in deep love for the discoveries that travel brings. He enjoys mountaineering for the sake of it and conquering peaks is not the goal. He turns the Himalayas into a human affair, bringing to light the many tales and myths that lie hidden beneath the rocks, untrodden paths and snow.

Becoming a Mountain: Himalayan Journeys in Search of the Sacred and the Sublime (Aleph 2014) was awarded the Kekoo Naoroji Award for Himalayan Literature. Educated at Woodstock School and Wesleyan University, Alter has taught at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, and was the writer-in-residence at MIT for 10 years. Alter is founding director of the Mussoorie Mountain Festival.

The Ark’s Anniversary by Gerald Durrell

Born in India, Durrell’s life is an inspiration for many conservationists who are not officially trained in the profession. As he was home schooled, he learned it all on the way, working his way through zoos and internships. And through books, he earned his living, and used the funds for his expeditions and zoo. A tongue-in-cheek book, we travel with Durrell into the difficult world of saving species from extinction. We learn about orangutans and their behaviours, pink pigeons, pigmy hogs and how animal behaviour changes in captivity; releasing them into the wild requires expertise and care.

The book is simply written and traverses many aspects of Durrell’s life. It talks about 25 years of the zoo, childhood, studying and finding endangered species and then finding people who support this work, falling in love again. Working with wild animals is not a piece of cake and there are perils too.

As a layperson, the book gives one a fair idea of the pros and cons, the expense and the constant hard work to keep the magic of the planet alive. Recreation comes at a cost and that cost means paperwork, passion, like-minded individuals, failures and trials. The book feels more like a colourful story that would make anyone feel the need to become part of this ‘save the animals’ journey. And more so, in the current times, when climate change is a reality that man needs to reverse for his own survival.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

This classic was published in 1911 and is a book for children. It talks about an orphaned British girl whose parents die in India. She goes to live with her uncle in Yorkshire, England, who lives on the moors. The uncle is a sad man, who doesn’t bother to give her company. Then, she discovers a secret garden and a cousin and a whole set of new friends. The garden brings them all together. The book is a such a beautiful lesson on the therapeutic power of Nature.

I have added more green books to my #TBR list, among them are Born Free by Joy Adamson, The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony.

Mystical/Spiritual Books

As I began my career with a magazine covering New Age healing techniques, I did get caught up in the world of the invisible. I enjoy reading about things hidden from the naked eye.

I studied astrology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Delhi, from 1999-2002. During this period, I contributed to books on astrology by my mentor and teacher, K.N. Rao. These hold a treasured space on my bookshelf. I also enjoy reading books written by him, as I count him among the most learned men I have known.

I also enjoy books by Carlos Castaneda–The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge and Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan.

Another author I plan to revisit is Richard Bach and his book Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is also lying in my cupboard, waiting to be read for 4 decades!

My love for classics is firmly rooted in my graduation days. I have plans to add more screenplays and theatrical writings to my #TBR list.

If you have managed to go through this really long post, then I think you are a sucker for classics as well.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘BookishCafeBloghop2024’ hosted by Samata Dey Bose and Rakhi Jayashankar (Prompt: Listicles of Genres You love to read)

I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter