The Best of January 2022
Albeit long-musings of an avid book reader
Struggling for over a week with my inherent urge to write a “perfect” article. Scrolling through articles on “Medium Writing 101” for a blockbuster debut. An impending impostor syndrome. I finally decided to let go of those inhibitions.
I would be using this space to question my own biases — some hidden, some unknown, and some in open.
One thing that has always worked for me is extensive reading. Thus, it is natural for me to write about the books I read and spread their joy to the others around me.
I started 2022 with one resolve to read more diverse books. I am already staring at some 120+ odd books saved across journals, notes, and Instagram. I am happy to share it was a great start to the reading new year!
I recommend the below-mentioned books if you are looking to pick something:
a. reflective
b. diverse
c. adventurous
How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino:
A book loved across generations in Japan and now muse of anime master Hayao Miyazaki. This book has resurfaced and captured the imagination of ardent Studio Ghibli fans. The book foreword by Neil Gaiman (an author who has always inspired me) shares the emotion.
The book is a snapshot of a typical day in the life of a 15-year old Copper and his friends in Tokyo. I felt this book as a warm hug after a bad day. The book is in the same league as Tuesdays with Morrie.
True to Yoshino’s intent of writing a book on ethics for young readers, the book does get preachy for adults. Yet the anecdotal conversations of Copper and his uncle keep the readers hooked. He portrays our limitations as human beings. He shares that each one of us has the potential to greatness. This need not involve building cool things. It can be as trivial as giving back to our community. I found this very heartwarming.
Highlight quote from the book:
“People are each limited to what a single individual can experience on their own. But people have language. We can transmit our experience to others, and we can listen to the experience of others and share in that knowledge.”
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata:
Contrary to the popular belief of dry humor, I found the writing to be profound. The author explores the societal ideas of success and normality within the 170 pages! — a rare feat.
The book follows a 36-year-old Keiko who works at a local Convenience Store in Tokyo for the past 18 years. She does not date or have any interest in sex. At times, she finds herself inquisitively asking her sister “what should I do in this situation?”. This is her way to be “normal”.
Murata offers a critique of the idea of “unskilled labor” through the workings of the store. She showcases the sense of fulfillment and belonging it brings to Keiko. Yet society deems her as a failure with no aspirations and a husband. We witness these norms through various conversations with her family, colleagues, and friends.
In the end, Keiko finds her way home.
I can write a whole paper on the various themes in the book and might conjure a separate article to it in near future. It is a must-read and very much in the league of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Highlight quote from the book:
“The normal world has no room for exceptions and always quietly eliminates foreign objects. Anyone who is lacking is disposed of.”
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner:
Without reading the book blurb, I assumed it to be a memoir of accepting one’s identity in the lanes of H Mart. Little did I know about the rollercoaster ride I had signed up for.
Michelle Zauner’s memoir shares her relationship with her mother. We experience their bond defined by love, sacrifice, and unification through food. Something I share with my mother.
Witnessing her struggle to hold on to her Korean identity when her mother passed away — I have feared the same. I saw myself through the pages though I am lucky enough to still have my mother alive. Yet the fear of losing her runs deep.
There are parts of me I have hidden from the world and Michelle appeals to those in certain parts of the book. This is a feeling I shared with a written text after a long time.
She also reflects on her journey as a musician. Continuing to navigate the grief that embedded itself after her mother’s death.
The book was an honest exploration of love, grief, and nostalgia reminding me of What to do When I’m Gone. It is safe to say it would make to my Top 5 reads while the year has just begun.
Highlight quote from the book:
“I remember these things clearly because that was how my mother loved you, not through white lies and constant verbal affirmation, but in subtle observations of what brought you joy, pocketed away to make you feel comforted and cared for without even realizing it. She remembered if you liked your stews with extra broth, if you were sensitive to spice, if you hated tomatoes, if you didn’t eat seafood if you had a large appetite. She remembered which banchan side dish you emptied first so the next time you were over it’d be set with a heaping double portion, served alongside the various other preferences that made you, you.”
Klara and The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro:
A premise plagued with questions surrounding loneliness, artificial intelligence, human emotions, parental aspirations. Klara and the Sun is a book I am glad marked the closure of the month.
Klara offers me the joy of observing trivial things around me. She offers me the belief of love and sunshine to overcome the hardest of times. She offers me refuge from the looming dystopia of everything tech. There were moments I was waiting for Klara to defy the rules. I blame it on the popular narrative of Terminator and Black Mirror. She surprised me even when she met her purpose. She reminded me of Ron’s Gone Wrong.
Ishiguro’s storytelling combined with this futuristic narrative makes it a compelling read. I am not going to jump the gun on this yet and would be thinking about it for a long time.
Highlight quote from the book:
“Mr. Capaldi believed there was nothing special inside Josie that couldn’t be continued. He told the Mother he’d searched and searched and found nothing like that. But I believe now he was searching in the wrong place. There was something very special, but it wasn’t inside Josie. It was inside those who loved her.”
If you made it this far, my sincere apologies for this long writing. I am still getting used to the blank screen beyond the empty pages of my journals.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Let me know in the comments!
