The Transformative Power of Literature: A Personal Journey

Books That Shaped My Life

Throughout my life, I can trace my experiences through the books that have left a mark on me. During my college years, I encountered 'The Catcher in the Rye' and 'Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour' by J.D. Salinger. These works opened my eyes to the complexities of adolescence, the dynamics of family, and the coexistence of light and darkness in life. This was my first encounter with a new style of writing.

As I matured, I delved into 'Zen Flesh, Zen Bones' by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki, a collection of Zen Buddhist tales. These stories taught me valuable lessons about letting go of negativity, such as anger and toxicity, and encouraged a practice akin to mental cleansing.

My literary journey continued with classics like 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez, which introduced me to the realm of magic realism, allowing my imagination to wander freely. I was profoundly impacted by Salman Rushdie's works, particularly 'Shame' and his recent 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,' which deeply resonated with me. Geeta Kapur's 'When Was Modernism' provided an academic perspective on modernity in art, philosophy, and politics. Additionally, the writings of B.R. Ambedkar expanded my understanding and opened my heart and mind to diverse ways of thinking.

Through these readings, I realized that individuality and categorization are not as straightforward as they seem. The characters in these narratives are not fixed; they are dynamic and evolving. Currently, I am engrossed in 'The Ex-Daughters of Tolstoy House' by Arunima Tenzin Tara, a gripping gothic novel set in Lutyens' Delhi that explores the misogyny prevalent among certain men. This debut work offers a unique perspective on gender and social class, with characters that feel familiar yet whose journeys are filled with surprising twists.