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Five Must-Reads From Indian Authors

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Flip through the pages of our top picks from our favorite Indian authors.

Text Credit: Roshan D

Books are considered to be a person’s best friend. It does everything that you’d expect your best friend to do. It tells you stories about the people that you might have once heard about or stories about a complete stranger. While it lets you experience different emotions and lets you walk alongside with the characters of the story, it sometimes lets you want to be the character. So, taking this into account, let’s explore five books written by Indian authors that are a must read.

A God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Set in the backdrops of a small village in Kerala, it is a story about the childhood experience of fraternal twins. With a few unfortunate turn of events, their lives completely changed and took a detour.

This was Roy’s debut novel and was published in the year 1996, making it one of the all-time favorites of the readers. In 1997, The God of Small Things won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and was listed as one of the New York Times Notable Books of the Year.

The Palace of Illusions: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Have you wondered what if Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic of ancient India was retold from a woman’s perspective? Well, The Palace of Illusions: A Novel is an execution of Hindu epic Mahabharata from Draupadi’s viewpoint, namely, that of a woman living in a patriarchal world.

A book that captured the true emotions of Draupadi, it was critically acclaimed by many with positive reviews. The novel written by the award-winning Indian-American author and poet, this is considered to be one of the finest works by the author.

Looking for a twist in the plot and a different perspective, you know where to lay your hands.

Nacropolis by Jeet Thayil

Set in the 1970s Old Bombay, Narcopolis tells the story about the city of intoxication, intoxicated in the influence of opium. The novel draws on his own experiences as a drug addict, but the story expands with characters that are closely associated with the drug scene of the city.

As a novel that took the author five years to write, this book was nominated for Man Booker Prize in 2012. As a book that talks about the darkest side of the drug scene in a city, some might find depressing and some exciting. But it’s worth a read.

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Written by Rupi Kaur, an Indo-Canadian poet and illustrator, this book is a collection of poetry, prose and hand-drawn illustrations dealing with themes of violence, abuse, love, loss, and feminism.

Critically appreciated by all around the world, the book topped the New York Times bestsellers list and remained on it for 52 consecutive weeks. While emotions are a thing for all the readers, Milk and Honey will make you experience all kinds of emotions, empowering you to do things that you haven’t do before.

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

A recipient of Man Booker Prize 1981, the story is set in the context of actual historical events. The story told by Saleem Sinai, the chief protagonist was born in the midnight of the independence of India and the partition of British India.

Written by Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie, a British Indian novelist, and essayist, this novel is considered as an example of postcolonial, postmodern and magical realist literature. In addition to the positive acclimations received, the book was also awarded Booker of Bookers prize and was listed as the best-loved novels on the BBC’s The Big Read poll of the UK.

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The Power of Book Adaptations : Movies Based on Books

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Literature represents the classic yet timeless mode of amusement. The Gen Z no longer spend their lives according to conventional schedules. Many excellent films that faithfully adapt the texts have been made. Retelling a best-selling paperback and hard copy, however, is no easy feat. Because classic texts are difficult to read at first, teenagers with impatient attitudes watch films to quickly pick up the archaic language. Movies bring teens’ imaginations to life through virtual presentations since they are still too young to fully consider the characters and stories they are creating in their heads.

We’ve selected ten of the best books that have been adapted into films, ranging from classic literature, thrillers, and mysteries to fantasy, love stories, and tales for teenagers. All of the works are excellent; we selected those that are best-sellers, critically acclaimed, or have had a significant impact on contemporary literature and popular culture. What about the films? Well, some are excellent pieces of art unto themselves. While the novels that influenced some of them live on in readers’ memories forever, others were quickly forgotten.

Little Women

Little Women is a beloved coming-of-age story that was first released in two parts and is still incredibly relevant today. The March sisters are a shining example of family love and a tie that will not be shattered by the Civil War that rages on near their New England home. They have a tomboy author-to-be, a weak yet gorgeous sister, and the hopeless romantic. This classic story would be ideal for a mother-daughter book club read. With nominations for multiple awards, the most recent Little Women movie does the novel proud. It not only introduces a new generation to one of the best books ever written, but it also provides the story with the resolution that the author always wanted but was never able to achieve due to the times in which she lived.

 Hunger Games

It would be reckless of us to list the greatest book-to-movie adaptations without including The Hunger Games. A bestselling book series with a horde of loyal fans is seldom easy to adapt, but this one was an enormous hit. The movie, which starred Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth, was well-received by critics and audiences alike when it was released. The screenplay for this book to movie adaption was written by Suzanne Collins, demonstrating how closely the movie adheres to the original plot. Even a few words are lifted precisely from the novel! 

Harry Potter

Despite having eight films, J.K. Rowling’s story had to be significantly trimmed for the Harry Potter film series, which has two credited screenwriters and four directors. Though the films follow the same progression from a bubbly children’s tale to the darker, more morally difficult story that you find in the later books, they are fairly loyal to both the plot and the character development that is Rowling’s great talent. For fans who can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ve just read about, these are the perfect adaptations.

The Devil Wears Prada

Despite Lauren Weisberger’s novel’s success, the film portrays Miranda Priestly as one of the greatest villains in cinematic history, and it is an upgrade. The film takes Miranda’s character to a darker place and offers the story a more satisfying resolution than the novel, which ended on a totally different emotional note before it was even finished.

Lord Of The Rings

In a broad sense, Peter Jackson’s trilogy of films is quite true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic epic fantasy writings. Jackson greatly simplified the plot, however not many people had issue with there not being enough Tom Bombadil in it. With the use of cutting-edge computer graphics, Jackson was able to portray the most well-known fantasy universe ever imagined in a realistic and convincing manner while retaining the essential elements of hope, bravery, and despair.

Silence Of The Lamps

Although Jonathan Demme’s adaptation mostly follows Thomas Harris’s novel, it adds two significant elements: Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Because of these two actors’ outstanding, enduring, and viscerally believable performances, a dark, twisty thriller became a permanent fixture of popular culture. All you have to do is mention the word “Clarice” with one of Hopkins’s trademark inflections, and everyone will know what you’re talking about.

Crazy Rich Asians

Just five years after Kevin Kwan’s charming, satirical romantic comedy debuted, Jon M. Chu created a stunning film adaptation of it. The intimate relationships, inner workings, and nuanced expectations of Singaporean high society were all captured in the film, which became an instant smash. In addition to receiving fantastic reviews and multiple nominations for Golden Globe Awards, it naturally raised interest in the book itself. 

Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Truman Capote’s darker, more vicious novella was adapted into an epic film that is still regarded as a cultural classic. Capote’s tale of a lady attempting to salvage some glitter from the ruins of her life is heartfelt, sorrowful, and ultimately exquisite. The film ends on a positive, romantic note, while toning down the queer, tragic, and prostitute undertones. Nevertheless, each of these elements is strong, unforgettable, and bordering on brilliance.

Anna Karenina

For good reason, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is frequently regarded as the best book ever written. With subtle undertones of mental illness and touching on issues of adultery, love, humanity, and life in Russia, Tolstoy tells his expansive tale without resorting to oppressive morals. Rather, the reader is asked to peer into these lives as a voyeuristic observer, not passing judgement on the shortcomings of his characters. With 864 pages, Tolstoy’s work is by no means short. Despite this, four films have attempted to depict it, with the most imaginative and opulent being the 2012 adaptation starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Domhnall Gleason.

The Color Purple

The Color Purple, Alice Walker’s 1982 book, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. This is among the greatest books ever written because of Walker’s moving and vivid writing. One of the best works about racial relations in early 20th-century America because of the story’s cultural significance. It’s also among the best books that have been adapted into films because to Menno Meyjes’ excellent script. In this epic story of an African American woman (played by Whoopi Goldberg) living in the South and enduring unbelievable abuse and bigotry, Steven Spielberg coproduced it with Quincy Jones. His direction does the book justice and brings Walker’s significant tale to life for generations of new audiences.

 

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Transform Your Life with These 10 Life-Changing Self-Help Books

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Self-help books have become a popular genre in recent years, offering readers a chance to explore their inner selves, identify areas for personal growth, and learn new strategies for overcoming challenges. With so many books to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you on your journey of self-discovery and personal transformation, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 self-help books that have had a profound impact on readers worldwide.

 

  1. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – This book teaches readers the importance of being present in the moment and letting go of the past and future to find inner peace.

 

  1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey – This classic book explores the habits of successful people and offers practical advice on how to incorporate them into your own life.

 

  1. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho – This novel tells the story of a young shepherd who sets out to find his personal legend, teaching readers to follow their dreams and trust in the universe.

 

  1. “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown – This book explores the power of vulnerability and encourages readers to embrace it as a key component of personal growth.

 

  1. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear – This book explores the science of habit formation and offers practical advice on how to build good habits and break bad ones.

 

  1. “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod – This book outlines a morning routine designed to increase productivity, improve health, and promote personal growth.

 

  1. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz – This book explores four key agreements that can transform your life: be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

 

  1. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert – This book explores the creative process and encourages readers to pursue their passions and live a creative life.

 

  1. “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin – This book outlines a year-long project in which the author set out to improve her overall happiness, offering practical advice for readers to do the same.

 

  1. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl – This book tells the author’s personal story of survival in a concentration camp during World War II and offers insight into finding meaning and purpose in life.

 

These books have helped countless readers overcome challenges, find inner peace, and achieve personal growth. Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, build better habits, or find your life’s purpose, there’s a self-help book out there that can guide you on your journey.

 

 

 

 

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Great Places to Celebrate Reading on World Book Day

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Buying books at a discount is every bibliophile’s dream- be it old or new. And online stores that offer books at prices cheaper than Amazon are becoming increasingly popular in the Covid-era. Here is a list of 3 Indian online book stores with some amazing deals to shop for as many books as you want guilt-free!

Best of Used Books

Yes, they sell books starting at just Rs. 99/-. And no, it is not a hoax. You can find a range of bestselling works by Sudha Murthy, Chetan Bhagat and Sidney Sheldon besides classics by Hemingway at this price. They also have a collection of rare books and magazines for those who love to keep a collector’s edition. The store always has great deals to go in for the haul mid-month.

99 Books Cart

Some of their coolest offers include the ‘15 Mixed Fiction Books at Rs. 999/-’ and their ‘Combos at Rs. 699/-’ featuring books by Jodie Piccoult, Suzzane Collins, and John Grisham. Also, their 11-day book fair ending on 24th April 2022 is currently a rage in Bangalore.

The Right Book Store

The store offers a 60-70% discount on all of their books. All of the hot-selling self-help, non-fiction and lifestyle-oriented books are available under Rs.150/- at this store. From Ikigai to Atomic Habits and the Psychology of Money their sale price is to kill for. Their Mystique Box Collection is something you can look forward to surprise yourself or your fellow bookaholics!

 Words By: Mariam Thankam Mohan

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