JSPF Recommends — Books for the Summer of 2020 — Part 2

In part 2 of this article, we recommend to you another set of 8 books to read this summer. It accommodates a variety of genres, from fiction to poetry to riveting magic realism, so you can be sure to be engrossed in at least one of the given books.

Discover more about your next favourite book below and happy reading!

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy

Genre: Fiction

Recommended by: Akshaya CS, JSPF Finalist 2018–2019

“It is curious how sometimes the memory of death lives on for so much longer than the memory of the life that is purloined. ”

The first thing that appealed to me about The God Of Small Things was Roy’s unconventionally simple, idiosyncratic style of writing. Although largely mature, the narration has childlike undertones to it, since the better part of the book is set in the central characters’ childhood. And Roy cleverly, (albeit brutally) uses this to her advantage to make her narration tug at your heartstrings in a way very few other writers can.

It is one of those books that can validate the sentiment that not all great books come with thick plots. The plot sure makes the book hover in a dormant part of my mind, but it is the breezy writing, strong characters, and the vivid description of both the marvellous and the mundane that surprise me with a sudden longing for Ayemenem every time it rains.

The Three-Body problem (Trilogy)

Liu Cixin

Genre: Hard Science Fiction

Recommended by: Himanshi Gupta, JSPF Finalist 2017–2018

“The creation myths of the various peoples and religions of the world pale when compared to the glory of the big bang.”

The Three-Body Problem is a series of 3 novels, known by the title of the first book itself. It realms into a majestic yet terrifying world of hard science fiction, where the author Liu Cixin, infuses the topics of politics, sociology, astronomy, engineering, human psychology, extraterrestrial life into one culmination of text. It is a must-read for every science fiction lover, given the amazing plot and deep insights into various plausible aspects of “What if we encountered or rather were made aware of civilisation other than ours on this pale blue dot?” The author beautifully puts out the term of “Cosmic Sociology” and its significance in a universe full of multidimensional beings. The vivid explanations keep one hooked to the book while exploring the cosmic revelations!

Home: A Short History of an Idea

Witold Rybczynski

Genre: Analytical Thinking, Non-Fiction

Recommended by: Lakshmi S, JSPF Mentor 2018–2019

The book is well-thought-out and narrated. The way it’s written and the questions it poses can make people question what is assumed to be obvious or a given. For me, it has been a portal into a world of thinking with wonder and excitement.

The Grand Design

Leonard Mlodinow and Stephen Hawking

Genre: Science — metaphysics

Recommended by: Nandhakishore C S, JSPF Finalist 2019–20

Description of the real world from a keyhole perspective to an open door perspective. The way which the chronology of the discoveries and inventions explained makes it a read without demolishing the curiosity. The easy and casual language which in turn makes this one as one of the finest science books

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter

Genre: Self- help, non-fiction

Recommended by: Jai Kesav, JSPF Finalist 2019–20

The author talks about financial education and makes the reader realize its importance by relating it to vast experience starting from his childhood and takes us along his journey of money-making. It dramatically affects the way we think about money, assets, and liabilities, and develops in us an intuitive feel on money-making.

The Aladdin factor

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Genre: Self-Help Book

Recommended by: Gudapati Nitish, JSPF Finalist 2017–18

“Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better.” — Jim Rohn

Often, we don’t get the things we want in our lives because we don’t ask them. The Aladdin Factor is a simple fast-track to getting what you want. The book exposes the major barriers to asking and does a great job in setting the mindset and teaching the process to acquire what you want in different situations. The authors weave the message with exciting narratives from ‘Aladdin and the Magic Lamp’ and anecdotes of people who have succeeded in doing so. This book is a must-read for someone who wishes to overcome hindrances like fear and make a difference in their lives.

Kane and Abel

Jeffrey Archer

Genre: Fiction, thriller

Recommended by: K Shreyas, JSPF Finalist 2019–20

The story is about two people born on the same day under completely different circumstances. It beautifully portrays the difference between being born rich versus poor. It is a thrilling story of the lives of the two men who ultimately want to destroy each other.

Paper Aeroplane: Selected Poems 1989–2014

Simon Armitage

Genre: Poetry

Recommended by: Lakshmi S, JSPF Mentor 2018–2019

This anthology contains poems that are whimsical, emotionally evocative, philosophical, and mellifluous. Simon Armitage beautifully captures natural phenomena and everyday happenings with metaphors that aren’t necessarily unique to his perspective but written in a way that evokes wonder in the reader. Definitely worth a read for those who seek inspiration and adventure through poetry and creative forms of expression.

Recommended poem: It Ain’t What You Do, It’s What It Does To You

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