Hello. Hope everyone has been keeping well. I know it has been a while since my last post, but I was just taking a little break from the madness and immersing myself into books and some art. We all need some time off to protect our peace and unwind at times, as discussed in my previous post. Since I have been reading quite a bit, I thought I will share with you some great books that I read in this year!

I am somehow super stoked to be doing this, just because reading has been such a great stress buster and helping me keep sane in this period or even otherwise. Also, is is the best exercise your brain can get. So, no matter how many books you reads, just keep at it.

To all my fellow bookworms, here goes my top 5 picks for first half of 2020:

(Note: Don’t worry no spoilers down, so scroll away!)

#1 Flowers for Algernon

A lab mouse, a lab man (a mentally disabled person approved to be used as a subject in the quest for intelligence) and an experiment. Does it work? Does it not?. A science fiction that does not go wrong on delivering what it intends to. The soft, humanity-focused story by Daniel Keyes makes your mind stir quite a bit, by questioning the principles of our daily lives.

#2 The Broken Earth Series (Triology)

This trilogy (Hugo award winners) by N.K. Jemisin, fulfils the appetite of fantasy lovers and how. Each of the book builds the pace for the next, of the unique world and its characters created, keeping you hooked. Power, oppression, and justice form the premises, set against an angry Father Earth and with everyone else trying to survive the doomsday upon them in ways they can. Imaginative, unique and well-written with intricate detailing makes it a worthy read.

#3 You Can Heal Your Life

A powerful take on how our thoughts and experiences over the years moulded us into what we are today. Louise Hay co-relates health (physcial), thoughts, affirmations and attitude in a thought-provoking manner. It might not be completely practical in areas and you might find yourself not agreeing to certain aspects, but what it definitely does is offer a different perspective on healing and self-improvement.

#4 The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Experiences of a man who lived and made it through the concentration camp in Auschwitz (ref: Holocaust times) to be able to tell us this wrenching story. Beautifully penned down by Heather Morris, the detailing of the atrocities faced reminds us how truly horrifying it was and the lowest depths of humanity has ever known. It does leave quite an impression and keeps you thinking about the story well after you’ve put it down.

#5 A Man’s Search for Meaning

Best seller by Victor Frankl (holocaust survivor) on how his harrowing experiences (in the various concentration camps) led him to work on the question we ask ourselves always, what makes life worth living?. This eventually gave birth to his psychological concept Logotherapy on what motivates an individual to find/search for the meaning of life. Empowering and inspiring in its own right, it plays with the idea that no matter the situation a person can control their behaviour and influence their own feelings.

#6 The Graveyard (Bonus Book!!!)

Imagine being raised by ghosts? Wild isn’t it! The story takes us through the life and adventure of a boy who grows up in a graveyard, among some friendly ghosts. An interesting plot, thrown in with some mystical beings, makes it a good breezy fantasy read by Neil Gaiman. It is the feel good book that we all sometimes need.

I hope you enjoy them or if have already read some/all, let me know how you found them. Also, if there are any book you would like to share, please do leave in the comments below, everyone loves good book suggestions.

Part 2 of the post shall be out at the end of 2020, with books read in second half of the year. Can’t wait! 😀

Until then, Happy Reading!

P.S. Cute story, just because: So, my bestie (who is in a faraway land) and I have formed our very own book club. Yep, even 2 people can form one! We decide the books to go for, read them together (mostly try to) and then discuss, which I think is working out pretty great. It’s always nice to have someone with the same madness, just makes things better and more worth it.