ALS Bucket Challenge, Rice Bucket Challenge and now, ‘10 Books That Greatly Affected Me' Challenge – social media has brought in a revolution making our likes and dislikes & preferences public and influential. Going by the latest trend, we seem to be sharing our love for books that we’ve read, that have stoked emotions in ourselves like none other and have made us laugh, cry, get angry, feel distressed and have taken us to great heights of emotional turmoil.
It’s amazing how reading can bring about a change, how it can elevate your mood or send you into flights of depression! Of course, all of us have a different take on each story and that perhaps shapes us, our personalities and our attitude. And believe us, text books can never bring out that in you. Whether you want to become a super woman like Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice, or the witty and smart detective Sherlock Holmes, or the carefree personality of Huckelberry Finn or the valiant Karana from Mahabharata, people, you’ve got to read.
So here’s our list and WE CHALLENGE all our readers to share their lists too. Let’s see how many of us think alike!
The Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh
The Sahitya Academy winner book traces the journey of an India born English educated boy who shares his experiences from the outbreak of World War II to the late 20th century, with inferences to the Bengal partition and violence highlighting the invasion of political influences into the private and personal lives of individuals.
My Son's Story by Nadine Gordimer
Will is a young boy in South Africa who skips school to catch a movie and bumps into his father who is an anti-apartheid hero. Imagine his shock and surprise when he sees that his father is accompanied by his white mistress, who is also a die-hard espouser of the same cause. My Son’s Story unravels the anger and confusion in young Will as he struggles to decide whether to hate or love his father and the price his father pays for his infidelity.
Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
One of the greatest love stories ever created in a tormented American Civil War & Reconstruction era, Gone with the Wind is an all time classic tracing the feelings of the very spoilt Scarlet O-Hara manipulated by the charming and unabashed Rhett Butler. Considered a Bildungsroman or coming-of-age story, you must read Gone with the Wind if you want to understand the American war history and a completely nerve tingling romance budding between two opposite characters.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is the story of an intelligent and speak-your-mind woman Elizabeth Bennet and her war of ego and feelings with Mr. Darcy, at the same time dealing with her mother and 4 other sisters. A woman way ahead of her times, Elizabeth is very close to her father, who is not into the groom hunting game that his wife and the rest of the daughters are into. She is also close to Jane, her sister. While she tries to come to terms with her conflicting feelings for Mr. Darcy, Jane falls in love with Darcy’s best friend from the aristocracy, Mr. Bingley. The story revolves around the turn of events in the lives of the Bennets and how Darcy &Bingley play an important part in it. It is a good read, especially because it provides insight into the lifestyle of the aristocracy, middle class and status of women in the Victorian era. Must-read if you are the rebellious types.
Pather Panchali by Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhay
An autobiography of Opu (the protagonist) and his sister Durga in a moving, realistic portrayal of day to day village life in pre-independence Bengal, Pather Panchali (Song of the Road) captures the life of Opu & Durga & their parents - Shorbhojoya and Horihor, living in their dilapidated home in Nishchindipur. The novel unravels Opu's journey right from an infant till the time he leaves his village and all that he dearly loves. Pather Panchali was followed by a sequel, Aparajito, which was later on adapted by famous film maker Satyajit Ray to make an award winning movie trilogy.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart is the story of Okonkwo, 'hero' or 'strongman' of his Nigerian village set in 1890's, a highly revered man amongst his clan Umuofia. The story traces Okonkwo's fall from grace amongst his fellow villages to the dissent he develops when the Europeans start colonizing his village. The book highlights Umuofia's habits and mannerisms, which, albeit different from the Western culture, is not all that different. The juxtaposition of the so called 'civilised' world and not-so-civilized is stark as Achebe focuses on the clear procedures for marriage, the justice system, and religion. Having followed an open culture, the Umuofia's are distressed at the shameless invasion of the Europeans and their quest to convert them to Chirstianity and lead the government. The British and the Nigerians view their way of life to be superior and do not allow for the blending of cultures. As a result, great tensions ensue. What happens to Okonkwo after this is something you will need to read to figure out!
Foundation Trilogy by Issac Asimov
The epic galactic series of Asimov's revolutionary series should should be read in this order - Robots | Empire | Foundation. Considered monumental in the world of science fiction, Foundation begins with a new chapter in a man's future. It trails the life of Hari Seldon and his team of pschologists as the Old Empire struggles to survive the barbarism prevalent in the galaxy. So Seldon & team set out to create a new entity encomsating art, science, and technology to mark the beginning of a new empire. The series deal with chaos in the galactic world, a man's standing before the new empire and enlightened being, a dangerous mutant strain gone wild, which produces a mind capable of bending men's wills, directing their thoughts, reshaping their desires, and destroying the universe!
Malory Towers, The Famous Five, St. Claire’s by Enid Blyton
One of the most pleasurable reads when we were growing up, were books by Enid Blyton. Be it the school life related Malory Towers or St. Clair’s and the youth sleuths from The Famous Five series have left an indelible mark in our lives. The fun at school coupled with the young enthusiasm of the kids is beautifully captured in all Blyton series. A must read while you were growing up! And if you still haven’t read them, go pick your copy NOW!
My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk
A brutally deceitful mystery, an enthralling love story, and an excellent meeting on the power of art, My Name Is Red is set amid the splendour and religious intrigue of sixteenth-century Istanbul by Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk. The book is part fantasy and part philosophical puzzle: a kaleidoscopic journey to the intersection of art, religion, love, sex and power.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude is a story of the evolutions & revolutions of the mythical town of Macondo, set in Latin America through the narration of the Buendía family. It is a rich and brilliant chronicle of life and death, and the tragicomedy of humankind intercepted by patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets and magicians of Macondo. Noble yet ridiculous, beautiful and flashy at the same time, this book will give you a sneak peek into the history, myth, growth and decay of Macondo.
While we believe that just 10 books cannot do justice to huge repository that lies out there, but hey, it's a beginning! And those you you, who love travelling to different worlds in your imagination just as much as we do, share your list with us!
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