It is said that books are one’s best friend, and for bibliophiles like me, books become your permanent soulmate. There are different types of readers in the world. Some may not find themselves drawn to sports-related books, some may refrain from buying politically oriented books while others may display little interest in horror books.
I have never been drawn to books solely centered around love stories or period dramas. Maybe somehow, the idea of romantic novels didn’t captivate me as strongly as other genres of books. However, I have come across several books whose love stories (even though they don’t serve as the main plot) have really touched my heart.
So, here are my top five book recommendations for someone who is not a romantic novel person but believes in the existence of ‘true love’.
1. ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns‘ by Khalid Hosseini
I always thank my stars for introducing me to the fantastic stories of Khalid Hosseini through three of his novels. One of my favorites out of the three is A Thousand Splendid Suns. Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan, the story is about two female protagonists of different generations, Mariam and Laila, fighting against the prejudices of society, its patriarchal system, and their abusive husbands. The book’s not a happy tale as the author’s skill of articulately penning down physical and emotional agony almost rips you off in reality. However, the softer nuance of the book is the love between Laila and Tariq. Their friendship makes you smile, their separation makes you anxious and finally, their reunion makes you teary-eyed. It beautifully portrays that in the end, even in the toughest of battles, love heralds as the key to survival.
2. ‘THOSE PRICEY THAKUR SISTERS‘ by ANUJA CHAUHAN
The story revolves around four sisters, named Anjini, Binodini, Chandrakanta, Eshwari, and the main protagonist, Debjani, fondly known as Dabbu. The story is set in the late 1980s when colored television (TV) was newly launched and India was still not familiar with the New Economic Policy of 1991. Set in a posh area called Hailey Road in Delhi, this book gives you a very comforting old-school feeling. Amidst the debate of print paper vs. TV during that time, a love story blossoms between Dabbu and Dylan, a fiery and fearless news reporter. It has its ups and downs but what intrigued me is how the author did not try to overpower her main plot by writing only about their relationship. It does give you a sneak peek into their affair but leaves you with an eagerness to know more about them.
3. ‘SITA’S SISTER‘ by KAVITA KANE
Based on the mythological character Urmila, Sita’s second sister, the book is about Urmila’s narrative of the Ramayana and the sacrifices she made throughout. While this book is a fictional take on the famous mythological tale, the author’s depiction of Urmila and Lakshmana‘s (Rama’s younger brother) love story deeply resonated with me. Even though the book was not entirely based on their love story, their story reassured my trust in the existence of sacred love!
4. ‘IT’S OKAY TO FAIL MY SON‘ by VASANT KALLOLA
The book It’s Okay to Fail My Son is an inspiring and revolutionary story about a single father, Rahul, who decides to quit his corporate job to start teaching. He makes this shift after realizing the academic pressure his 13-year-old son, Sachin, was facing. While the book gives out a societal message of not overburdening children and creating a safe space for them, the book also gives us a reflection on the budding romance between Rahul and Madhuri, the only considerate teacher of Sachin. Throughout the book, as we witness him regaining his confidence, one can also experience Rahul’s decision to give love a second chance after his separation from his wife and walk into the brighter side of life along with his son and Madhuri.
5. ‘PAPERMOON’ by REHANA MUNIR
How often do you imagine opening a bookstore and getting the privilege to immerse yourself in the aroma of new books every day? Well, at least I do. I must point out that this book has heightened my desire to open a bookstore significantly! Set in the early 2000s, Papermoon is based on Fiza and how she opened a bookstore in Mumbai, India. While the book is based on her family problems, the constant struggle to get a bookstore running, and dealing with various kinds of customers, there is a subtle love story that runs parallelly with her bookstore journey- her ‘no-tag’ relationship with Iqbal, the owner of the bookstore building. The book does not refer to their affair frequently but whenever it does so, it will surely make your heart race!
The world of literature is vast, with potentially hundreds of other books sharing similar narratives, but these five books are my personal favorites. I can only hope that while reading these books, one can feel the same happiness and satisfaction that I felt.