Nobody can deny the power of a good book. The power of words that can paint a hundred pictures and make you feel a thousand emotions. Most of us have read at least one book that changed our lives in some way or another, whether it’s something we studied in school or picked up on our way home after work. To know more, we asked the women on Malini’s Girl Tribe to share their all-time favourite books with us, which they can read over and over again, and which you should read to make 2021 better.
Here are 10 Life-Changing Books That You Must Read For A Better 2021 –
1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter books are an all time cult favourite. They’re almost like a rite of passage. For me personally, the Wizarding World was an escape from reality. Getting lost in the magic, the Hogwarts corridors and the dangerous, yet adrenaline pumping battles was a whole new experience.
8. The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
The Forty Rules of Love is funny, witty and may just make you fall in love. It tells parallel stories of Ella, a middle aged mother frustrated with her marriage and the story of Rumi and his companion Shams Tabrizi. The two stories intertwine in the most fascinating way as Ella finds herself drawn to the morals and teachings of Sufism, that eventually change her life. This novel is extremely fulfilling and will leave you feeling warm and satisfied.
2. The Feast of Roses by Indu Sunderesan
This is the second book in the infamous Taj Mahal Trilogy and it voted by many to be the best one. The Feast of Roses narrates the tumultuous relationship and power dynamic between Emperor Jehangir and his wife, Mehrunissa. This historical book is gripping and all consuming, making it a must read.
5. Panchatantra Stories
As Indians, Panchatantra stories were the taste of our childhood (Aesop’s Fables really had nothing on them). They were simple human teachings like those of kindness, generosity, fairness, honesty and more that were depicted by animals. Most of us imbibed our values from them! Reading Panchatantra was an experience that shaped our lives forever.
3. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
This classic is an all time favourite for being ahead of its time and extremely feminist. In Pride and Prejudice we see the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, straying away from the soft-spoken, subdued and shy demeanor women in that era embodied, and being bold and brave, especially when it came to marriage and love. It is a really good book and we highly recommend it.
9. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
This is an extremely heavy and intense read, but once you finish it, trust us you will feel like you’ve achieved greatness. To put it simply, the book is about a man and his very stubborn ego (ladies, don’t we know it). The book weaves in romance, betrayal, jealousy, ambition and philosophy and is very compelling. If you have the patience and mental bandwidth, The Fountainhead is a must read.
4. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Despite being a children’s novel, The Jungle Book is extremely profound. It tells the tale of Mowgli, a human raised by animals in a jungle. His external power struggle with Sher Khan and his internal struggle with his own human civility, make this book a very interesting read.
6. If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon
This book narrates the story of Tracy Whitney who is framed by the Mafia and thrown in jail. She undertakes a quest of vengeance towards them subsequently becoming a con artist. The book is fast-paced, addictive and you are very likely to binge-read it in a few days. It is an all time classic and will change your life.
7. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
All and any praise for this book will always fall short. A Thousand Splendid Suns is an emotional roller-coaster in every way. For many of us, it was our first glimpse into the war-torn, Taliban dominated Afghanistan and their strict derogatory outlook towards women. It tells the tale of two women, different in age and personality who are married to the same man. They struggle with each other, society and eventually the Taliban. This book will leave you in tears and break your heart, yet it is absolutely beautiful.
10. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
The Godfather was our personal escape into the world of the Italian Mafia, with all its extravagance, drama, hot blooded passion and a lot (a LOT) of death. It is a violent book, yet each chapter is more interesting than the last and each page draws you deeper into its dystopian world. It mainly deals with themes of family, loyalty and love, and is an exceptional read for all.
2021 is going to be a great year (it better be a great year) and these books are sure to make it even better. Are there any more books you have read that have changed your life? Share it with us in the comments below!
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