Bookworm’s Delight!

If there’s one thing we do, it’s keeping our promises. Remember how we promised we would be compiling a reading list to keep you fully masroof in quarantine? Well time to do good on our waadaa as we bring for you a reading list fit for anyone! Whether you’re new to reading, are a hopeless aashiq at heart or a desi Nancy Drew – we’ve got something for you!

Thriller/Horror

Quarantine got you feeling dull? Lack some thrill and hull chull in your life? Well look no further. We’ll help you get some excitement and adrenaline back in your life with our current favourite thrillers!

Book Name: Misery Author: Stephen King Genre: Thriller

Within five very brief chapters, readers learn that Sheldon, a novelist, has crashed his car in a snowstorm; that Wilkes, a fan of Sheldon's popular romance novels starring Misery Chastain, has rescued him; and that she is crazy and is imprisoning him in her isolated house rather than taking him to a hospital for proper care after she discovers he is killing off her favourite book character. A fast paced psychological thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. We guarantee you wont be able to put this one down!

Book Name: Trigger Warning Author: Neil Gaiman Genre: Horror Fiction

If you are drawn to the unexpected and prefer your fiction to be unpredictable then this short story compilation is the one for you. Containing previously published pieces of short fiction—stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013, Trigger Warning explores the masks we all wear and the people we are beneath them to reveal our vulnerabilities and our truest selves. Here is a rich selection of horror and ghosts stories, science fiction and fairy tales, and poetry that explore the realm of experience and emotion.

Humor/Satire

We have all been experiencing quarantine blues these days and the best way to escape that is…you guessed it – a hilarious book! Read on to see our top relatable pick which will have you all in fits!

Book Name: How it Happened Author: Shazaf Fatima Haider Genre: Humor

Written from the perspective of a fifteen-year-old Saleha Bandian, How It Happened is about the marriages of elder two siblings, Haroon and Zeba. It has the drama of the matriarch (the Dadi) fainting at the slightest hitch, when events are not going according to her plan, she claims to be “mordren” like the younger generation but is intolerant of marriages across sects, or even a love marriage. Shazaf Fatima Haider has sharply and wittily etched the life within Pakistani families, obsessed with looking for a suitable match. She has got the tension between the older and younger generation beautifully. A fun, light hearted read bound to make you laugh!

Memoir

Quarantine is the best time to dwell on philosophies…and well, your thoughts. Our favourite pick is a brain picker for sure which will get you thinking and re-evaluating your life.

Book Name: Tuesdays with Morrie Author: Mitch Albom Genre: Memoir

Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir of conversations between Mitch Albom and his old university professor Morrie Schwartz. In these conversations they discuss life, death, forgiveness, trust, and belief because Morrie is dying of amayotrophic lateral sclerosis and gives advice and wisdom in these Tuesday talks. The best gift a teacher can give his student is the gift of wisdom. The lessons are so raw and valuable that your perspective on life will be altered after reading this inspirational story.

Historical Fiction

Are you in the same predicament we are in? Are you too dreaming about transporting yourself to a faraway land? Do you also wish you had a time machine so you could go back in time? Do you feel like a misfit in the current world? Well then join the wanderlusts club! Historical Fiction is the best way to travel within the four walls of your home. So get comfortable and start reading!

Book: A gentleman in Moscow Author: Amor Towels Genre: Historic Fiction This novel follows the story of a Count who is sentenced to house arrest in a Hotel that oversees the Kremlin, for 32 years. (Can relate? We can too!) A beautifully written account, we get to hear about different historic instances through the exiled aristocratic and his perspective, how he deals with losing everything to the state and his struggle and how he survives the isolation and hardship for decades. If you need some inspiration to get through this quarantine period, this book is it! Book Name: Birds without Wings Author: Louis De Bernieres Genre: Romance/Historic Fiction

For anyone who is obsessed with Turkey, this novel is it! Set during WW1, it describes the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Mustafa Kamal Attaturk profoundly through beautiful narrations of the lives of locals from the town of Antalya. His descriptions are vivid, his words insightful and intriguing, his narratives are bound to touch your soul and pull at heart strings!

Biography/ Autobiography

Book Name: Born a Crime Author: Trevor Noah Genre: Autobiography/Humor If you've ever wanted to read an autobiography but were scared it'll be too boring, this one is perfect to begin with. Noah, like his shows, has described his life in South Africa, struggles with Racism and abuse in such a light hearted manner, you cant help but laugh. The message of resilience is strong and vibrant! All in all, a very well written story from the eyes of a child who grew up at the time of Apartheid in South Africa. Book Name: Daughters of the Sun Author: Ira Mukhoty Genre: Biography

This book sheds a light on the female powerhouses in the Mughal empire. The very first attempt to chronicle the women who played a vital role in building the Mughal empire, daughters of the sun is an illuminating and gripping history of a little known aspect of the most magnificent dynasty the world has ever known. We get to read accounts of badass women with power whose stories take a backseat in the male oriented Mughal narrative? Sign us up!

Book Name: A Different kind of Daughter: The girl who hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight Author: Maria Toorpakai Genre: Autobiography

Maria Toorpakai hails from Pakistan's violently oppressive northwest tribal region, where the idea of women playing sports is considered haram-un-Islamic-forbidden-and girls rarely leave their homes. But she did, passing as a boy in order to play the sports she loved, thus becoming a lightning rod of freedom in her country's fierce battle over women's rights. The story of a world class athlete hailing from the tribal region of Pakistan as she overcomes obstacles to fulfill her dream is all the motivation we need in these depressing times to follow our heart!

Which books are you excited to give a try? Let us know in the comments below! Blog by: Zarish Asim