Perfect Summer Reads: A Curated List For You

by Alexandra Mansilla

Perfect Summer Reads: A Curated List For You

1 Jun 2024

If you are reading this, you are probably either planning a vacation, finally giving your eyes a break from endless screens, or you just love reading. Maybe it is a bit of everything. With the help of Purva Grover, an author and journalist (and an absolute bookworm), we have put together a list of books for you to enjoy this summer — not new releases, but timeless reads that might inspire you to dive even deeper into the world of literature. These books cover a wide range of genres and authors, so there is something for everyone.

Sisters by Elizabeth Fishel

"Sisters: Love and Rivalry Inside the Family and Beyond" delves into the intricate dynamics of sisterhood. Through detailed interviews with over 150 women (you will find figures like Gloria Steinem there), Fishel explores themes of rivalry, support, and deep emotional bonds that define sister relationships.

Purva Grover: “This book is a must-have if you have a sister. Enjoy it together with your soul sister, best friend, or girlfriend. Though it may be hard to find online, check out second-hand bookstores for this 1979 edition.”

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book is about embracing creativity without being held back by fear. Drawing from her own experiences and insights from other artists, Gilbert offers practical advice and inspiration. She talks about overcoming fear, treating inspiration as something magical, giving yourself permission to create, persisting through setbacks, and trusting the creative process. The book is filled with personal stories and helpful tips, encouraging readers to live more creatively and authentically. Will be useful for everyone in the creative industry.

Purva Grover: “A must-read for all creative souls — writers, painters, singers, and more. Gilbert shares truths about a creative career, peppered with personal experiences, anecdotes, and inspiration on every page. Every paragraph resonates with relatability.”

In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri

A deeply personal memoir about Jhumpa Lahiri's journey to learn Italian and the transformative power of language. Written in both Italian and English, the book explores Lahiri's challenges and triumphs as she immerses herself in a new linguistic and cultural identity.

This is the story of how Lahiri moved to Rome with her family and fully immersed herself in the language. She decided to read and write exclusively in Italian despite the difficulties and frustrations she faced. Through reflective essays and poignant anecdotes, she shares how this new language reshaped her writing process and personal life, leading to a deeper understanding of herself and her craft. This book will definitely be interesting for anyone who has moved to a new country and had to adjust to new circumstances.

Purva Grover: “For language enthusiasts, Lahiri's journey of longing, love, passion, and learning Italian will resonate deeply. As she writes, ‘A foreign language can signify a total separation. It can represent, even today, the ferocity of our ignorance. To write in a new language, to penetrate its heart, no technology helps. You can't accelerate the process, you can't abbreviate it.’”

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

This book is a collection of 100 inspiring stories about remarkable women from both history and today. Written like fairy tales, each story highlights the achievements of women who made a big impact in fields like science, politics, sports, art, and activism. The book features women like Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, and Serena Williams. Each story comes with a colourful portrait drawn by one of 60 female artists from around the world. This book is designed to inspire young readers, encouraging them to dream big and break barriers by showing them diverse role models who have made history.

Purva Grover: “Perfect for little girls, adults, and boys. Introduce your children to inspiring figures and important traits through this delightful and educational read.”

Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin

"Forty Rooms" by Olga Grushin is a deeply introspective novel that follows a woman from her childhood in Russia to her adult years in America. The story is uniquely structured around forty rooms she inhabits throughout her life, each symbolising a different stage or significant moment in her journey. Through these rooms, the novel delves into her dreams of becoming a poet, the compromises she makes, her relationships, and the choices that shape her existence.

Purva Grover: “This book follows a Russian girl who dreams of being a poet as she moves through different stages of life. It explores the idea that a woman passes through 40 rooms (dorm, living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc.) in her lifetime — each representing different phases and challenges. The number 40 also has significant references, such as Moses' 40 years in the desert and Jesus' 40 days of fasting.”

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The book begins with these words: "My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." The story is narrated by fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon from her new home in the afterlife. From there, she watches her friends as they try to understand her disappearance, her family struggling through difficult times, and her killer attempting to cover up his crime.

Purva Grover: “This book will make you weep — think buckets of tears. It's a brilliant, suffocating, and emotionally charged read that you won't be able to put down until you finish it.”

Bangles to Mom: Letters from Pakistan by Marsha Marie

A heartfelt memoir that chronicles the author's life-changing move from America to Pakistan. Told through a series of poignant letters to her mother, the book captures Marsha's experiences adapting to a new culture, her struggles and triumphs, and the challenges of living in a foreign land. She shares insights on cultural differences, the beauty and complexity of Pakistani life, and her personal growth throughout her journey. Through her letters, readers get an intimate look at Marsha's journey of self-discovery and the deep connections she forms along the way.

Purva Grover: “An American woman's memoir of her time in Pakistan during the 1990s. This collection of simple, honest letters captures everyday conversations between a mother and daughter, providing a heartfelt glimpse into her experiences.”

Half a Rupee Stories by Gulzar

A mesmerising collection of twenty-five short stories, available in English for the first time. This anthology presents a vivid tapestry of life in India, from the bustling modern megalopolis to the serene hinterlands and the tense Line of Control in Kashmir.

The stories range from real-life accounts of well-known personalities to heart-wrenching tales of betrayal and inspiring fables of courage. With deep empathy and nuanced storytelling, Gulzar captures the essence of ordinary lives, painting emotionally resonant portraits that linger long after the last page.

Purva Grover: “As the foreword suggests, this book of short stories reflects life's diversity. Gulzar writes on various subjects, reminding us that life is not lived in monotony.”

by Alexandra Mansilla