Youth Incorporated Magazine

Books are a great way to start a new year. We all must agree. A new book means a new story to unfold, and to look forward to. With Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19 creating havoc in the world, we might have to lock ourselves in our houses yet again. Who knows how long this will go on. So this time, instead of fixating our eyes on the screens and binging on web series, let’s inculcate a habit of reading and hook ourselves to some unforgettable stories beautifully penned down in these books. 

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak 

The writer has adopted a unique approach to storytelling through this novel. It runs two parallel stories, both strangely intertwining with each other. One story is contemporary, which narrates the unhappy married life of the protagonist, Ella who works for a literary agency and is currently asked to review a book named ‘Sweet Blasphemy’ by Aziz Zahara.  Sweet Blasphemy is the second story of the novel. The book is about the life of a wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz, a mystic Sufi. It takes you through the 40 Rules of Love and introduces you to love from a completely new perspective. The Forty Rules of Love is a truly captivating novel that will have you sit with a pencil and mark the beautiful lines from the book. The lines of the books will not just hit you hard but will stay with you forever. 

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Known as a literary masterpiece, the story will fill your heart with thrill and keep you turning the pages. The book is based on the real-life of the author itself, who was an armed robber and heroin addict who escaped from a prison of Australia to the slums of India’s Bombay. The story unfolds 8 years of the author’s life in Bombay. The story is that of grit. It teaches you life. It gives you a taste of every important aspect of life in its truest form be it love, happiness, friendship, pain, laughter or regret. The author has written the book three times after the guards of the prison threw the first two copies away. 

Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen 

A piece of classic, Pride and Prejudice takes you through the life of the Bennet sisters in Victorian times. It especially takes you through the life of Elizabeth Bennet and her journey of unexpectedly falling in love with Mr Darcy. Although a classic, Jane Austen’s writing is ever fresh which is what makes the book an easy read. If you want to start with reading something light and are a fan of romance, love, wit, and humour, Pride And Prejudice is the perfect book to get your hands on. 

While you can pick any other book of your choice and start reading, these books are a recommendation that guarantees you will keep turning the pages for more. Some other great reads include Wuthering Heights, Things Fall Apart, The Alchiemist, Forest of Enchantments, Palace of Illusions, etc.