It’s that time of the year again, where hind-sight is 2021.
In the interest of actually growing wiser at the end of what was definitely a year of learning and adaption, here are 10 books that can throw light on life, the universe and the art of perspective.
1. Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021)- Anthony Doerr
A rambling tale that spans time and place, this is a book that transcends the everyday and highlights the resilience of stories and storytellers. Beginning in Constantinople, Cloud Cuckoo Land follows the evolution of a fictional tale featuring the story of Aethon, an idealist who longs to turn into a bird and soar into a utopian sky, as it travels across time and space (literally) influencing all those who come into contact with it. The book uses multiple points of view and covers different eras of conflict, showcasing how a story has the power to bring people together and be a source of strength regardless of the where and the when. Do not let the size intimidate you.
2. The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (1998)- Alexander McCall Smith
A wholesome read that showcases the value of a quiet wisdom that solves problems with a gentle but effective hand. Follow the wise and “traditionally built” Mma Ramotswe as she solves crimes and provides answers to the problems of her near and dear ones in her beloved Botswana. The first in a prolific series, The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, is a comfort read that leaves one feeling warm and wanting Mma Potokwani’s fruit cake.
3. Requiem in Raga Janki (2018)- Neelum Saran Gour
This piece of historical fiction set in the glittering nautch houses of Avadh during the British rule, is based on the real life story of Janki Bai , “Chhappan Churi”—the one who survived 56 knife wounds. The story gives the reader an inside view of the world of the tawaifs who added beauty and music to the Avadhi courts, tracing the meteoric rise of the young Janki who transports her listeners to raptures with her voice. It showcases the golden era of music and first recordings of Hindustani music. Neelum Saran Gour combines extensive research with a dramatic plot to give us a riveting story that is as informative as it is engaging.
4. On Earth We are Briefly Gorgeous (2019)- Ocean Vuong
A book of heart-breaking beauty and indescribable emotion. Written in the form of a letter from young Vietnamese-American queer boy to his illiterate mother, this genre-bending masterpiece is an emotional rollercoaster that is saved from prurient overkill by a bone-searing tenderness and visceral honesty. The fragmented storytelling traces the narrator’s experiences of facing racism, physical abuse and domestic violence, drug addiction, love, and coming to terms with his sexuality. The heart of this piece is love and the knowledge that no matter how terrible and ephemeral life might be, it is precious. This debut novel of the poet Ocean Vuong highlights his sublime use of language and leaves one with an aching chest. Trigger warning: abuse, drug use, addiction, trauma.
5. The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone (2016)- Olivia Liang
Surviving lockdown and its isolation has been made easier by the presence of this lovely collection of essays by Olivia Liang. Written with a quiet empathy and deep intellect, this collection navigates the ups and the abysmal downs of being isolated, allowing the reader to find a modicum of comfort in the gentle prose and the warm insight of this book.
6. The Red Tree (2001)- Shaun Tan
If a picture paints a thousand words, Shaun Tan’s The Red Tree is a veritable epic. This picture book is a piece of immense depth. With sparse text and evocative art, Tan presents a touching portrait of mental illness and negotiating depression. The Red Tree is a must read for all us living beyond our emotional means.
7. The Wheel of Time Series (1990-2013)- Robert Jordan (and Brian Sanderson)
Given that the Amazon series is ongoing, it only makes sense that we read the awesome saga in its original form. Featuring complicated story arcs, fascinating characters with incredible powers (The Aes Sedai are amazing!), and world-building of Godlike proportions, this 12+1 series is a long-term commitment with huge pay-offs. Trust me, it is worth the effort.
8. The Adivasi Will Not Dance: Stories (2015)- Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar
In a year that began its journey in the midst of the Farmers Protest, this collection of short stories is particularly relevant. This text contains stories that highlight the lives and negotiations of the tribal minority in the face of mainstream hegemony and State aggression. The titular piece is especially significant given the events of the end of the year. The quiet dignity of the narration is indicative of the tenacity inherent to the struggle for equity and representation and the continued need for dissent, organisation and agitation.
9. Klara and the Sun (2021)- Kazuo Ishiguro
Combining science fiction with philosophy, Ishiguro presents a dystopian world where genetic engineering and artificial intelligence have changed the accepted calibrations of human-technology dynamics. Through the eyes of Klara, Ishiguro analyses what it takes to love in an increasingly dehumanised world.
10. Indigo (2021)- Ellen Bass
This collection of Ellen Bass’ poetry combines her quintessential tenderness and empathetic style with an intimacy and grace that tackles life’s complexities with a warm and gentle hand. The titular poem begins with the vision of the young father with indigo tattoos on his arms ferrying his baby in its stroller with care. This image blooms into ruminations on lost dreams, the persistence of love, and the possibility of a different but still loving future. Ellen Bass as, always, leaves one feeling hopeful and bolstered.
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