As monsoons recede, the only thing I could wish for is to be sitting on the beach, basking in the warm sun and reading a good book. But thanks to the COVID-19 crisis, beach reading is far-fetched.
Though recently, Goa opened up its borders, easing restrictions on travel, flipping through a book on the patio/balcony isn't a bad idea.
Honestly, I am tired of sitting in front of my laptop all day, staring into the screen endlessly for work or otherwise. Be it a lazy Sunday read or a late-night sleep-in book, a new month calls for a new book.
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When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy
Puja, a nineteen-year-old confused teenager, struggling to find meaning to life, is sent to Kerala to spend her summers. She meets Arush, a 20-year-old. As young love flourishes, Arush and Puja set out on a journey of self-discovery.
Where to buy: Amazon.in
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
Set in divided Naples, The Lying Life of Adults tells the coming of age tale of a rich, rebellious teenager trying to find herself through the divided cities. The book plays on the themes of beauty in contrast with ugliness and class mobility, of the favourite themes of writer Elena Ferrante.
Ferrante is also known for her books The Days of Abandonment, also a great read.
Where to buy: Amazon.in
Pokhran by Uday Singh
Chaitanya was born soon after the nuclear test in Pokhran. The effects of the test have left the world shaken, and the young boy knows very little to understand. Pokhran is a fictional story inspired by real incidents around the 'Smiling Buddha' project and everything around it. The book takes you through instigating events of love, loss, pride, passion and guilt - all weaving the story of Pokhran.
Where to buy: Amazon.in
Modern Hindi Short Stories by Bhisham Sahni
A collection of handpicked stories from veterans in the genre like Amarkant, Bhisham Sahni, Krishna Sobti, etc., the book is a collector's delight and has famous stories, retold for modern-day readers.
Where to buy: Amazon.in
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
If you are looking for a gritty thriller to keep you on your toes, then look no further. Combining the paranoia of Hitchcock's Rear Window with the unexpected creeps of Get Out, then When No One is Watching is sure to keep you hooked till the end. Disturbed and confused by her ever-changing neighbourhood, Sydney Green teams up with new neighbour Theo to dig deeper into the complexities, only to find dark secrets.
Where to buy: Amazon.in