
World Book Day 2025: Voracious readers' top book recos for non-readers to pick up the habit!
Reading is objectively one of the most gratifying and self-nurturing habits one can take to. After all, what better way than to traverse multiple carefully crafted worlds, that too through your own mind's eye? That being said, cultivating that kind of creativity, and before that, patience, is tough and waning in a day and age characterised by instant gratification. So from those who have held onto the gift of loving books, through the various phases of their lives, here are some top recommendations from readers the world over, which are sure to draw you in smoothly into the allure of being a reader — maybe in a way that will finally stick this time around!
Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a short yet impactful novel that's easy to get into, even for people who aren't usually drawn to reading. With its straightforward, almost storybook style and emphasis on timeless themes like personal growth and chasing your dreams, it's an engaging and uplifting read for just about anyone.
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, deals with the themes of censorship, over-conformity, and the true price of independent thinking — the value of which is only understood when it is seriously threatened, or completely taken away. This is actually a great diving point for non-readers as the cult classic is not only relevant in terms of the ever-changing political context, but also carries very simple, straightforward language, making it a super-smooth read.
Louis Sachar's Holes may be a young adult novel, but it does a great job of keeping the reader engaged between its many practical and emotionally-charged plot points, in addition to the fact that the larger timeline oscillates between the past and present, compelling one to stay engaged each time they pick it up.
Douglas Adams' uber-popular franchise, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, marries science fiction with comedy, promises you chuckle after chuckle as you ease into the pages, feeling rather comforted. The plot isn't complicated, and is filled to the brim with imaginative story-telling with exploration and wonder being major themes. A perfect balance then, for new readers on the block.
Another cult classic on this list, The Book Thief is actually a great starting point for former voracious readers, who lost touch with the habit and are desperately trying to get back into the loop of things. Wrought with emotion and one of the most unanimously agreed upon solid storylines, this Markus Zusak novel is too easy a pick in this regard.
So, this World Book Day, which of these reads will you be immersing yourself in?
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New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Cinema Without Borders: Prosaic verses—Un Poeta
Soto pushes in some amusing moments. Like the mention of The Alchemist leading onto an intellectual argument about Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paulo Coelho or how Oscar's mother keeps telling him to not take her car. But he still does. There is the universally appealing philosophical discussion on poetry itself, about having the sensitivity to discover poetry in unusual places and trying to seek poetry in everything, even the most banal words. But the most compelling is the portrayal of Oscar's self-pride. I am a poet, he retorts at the offer of a new job, declining it for writing a book instead. But then where is the money in books? This fundamental query sits at the heart of poetic darkness so to speak. The standout aspect is how the screenplay moves on the father-daughter relationship dynamic. Oscar has been estranged from his wife and daughter Daniella, offers to help her with college education but only to borrow five bucks from her, in turn. A young, underprivileged teenager, Yurlady, fills two major gaps in his life. At one level she is a proxy daughter figure. At another, her talent in penning verses is reminiscent of his own early glory days. She is an unexpected ally. It brings joy and sunshine to his bleak existence as he seeks self-fulfilment in her success. Mentoring her gives him a sense of purpose. But in being her guide to the world of poetry he also takes her to zones and spaces she is not meant to venture into, at her age.


The Hindu
13-05-2025
- The Hindu
Bookgasm and The Lit People make reading fun in Hyderabad
While most of the city is settling in for a lazy lunch on a Sunday afternoon, a bunch of strangers-turned-book-lovers are gathered at a cosy café — hungry for conversation, not food. This is Bookgasm, a six-month-old book club by Bengaluru-based Oopar Club, a physical social network. But it is not your usual book club. It is part of a larger effort to build communities around shared interests — whether it is reading, music, dance or sport, and turn solitary hobbies into something more social. Sagar Agarwal, who started Bookgasm, says it came from a simple thought: 'People would show up with their own books and read quietly.' As an avid reader himself, he realised that the real joy came not just from reading, but from sharing perspectives. 'You take away one thing from a book, someone else sees it completely differently, and that is the fun bit.' So Bookgasm was set up to spark proper, structured conversation. Each session is themed, with curated excerpts from a couple of books — modern or classic, fiction or non-fiction. For example, one session explored the idea of enlightenment through Osho's Krishna and Coelho's The Alchemist. 'Both books tackled the same idea but from completely different cultural standpoints,' says Sagar. The format is open, inclusive and lightly moderated to keep things flowing. Around 25 people usually show up to each session, held every other Sunday at 12.30pm in cafés (details avaliable on their app) around Hyderabad and Bengaluru. While Bookgasm now has over 500 members, the vibe remains intimate and laidback. 'At Oopar, we are not just building spaces for conversation, we are building connection,' says Sagar. Bookgasm has become a place where strangers turn into mates, where reading is not just solitary but social. Bookgasm is hosted every alternate Sunday at 12:30pm across cafés and restaurants. With an experiential approach Imagine this: an author drops in for a book club session to share behind-the-scenes stories, a sketch artist teaches you how to draw Manga, or a history professor joins to bust a few myths. That is The Lit People for you — a four-month-old book club that is not just about reading, but about experience-led, thoughtful engagement. Founded by book lovers Kalpana Sinha and Unnati Ved, The Lit People is trying to break the mould of typical book clubs. Before launching in February, the duo spent time researching existing clubs in the city — understanding what worked, what did not, and how they could offer something more layered and meaningful. They also introduced a membership model to keep the sessions intentional and engaging. There are two options — an annual plan for ₹7,650 or a two-book, two-event starter for ₹2,295. 'We didn't want it to be just another free-for-all where no one reads the book. The idea is to keep it structured and respectful of everyone's time,' says Unnati, who left a finance job in 2017 to start Eager Kids, a creative reading club for children and teens. At Eager Kids, young readers do not just read books, they also participate in activities based on the book's themes. Unnati wanted adults to experience this, too. So when she casually mentioned the idea at a party hosted by Kalpana — her senior from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Mumbai — the spark caught fire. And it is not just aimed at seasoned readers. 'We want to include people who want to read but are not sure how to begin,' says Kalpana. Their very first event, based on Dear Mrs Bird, featured a surprise guest: author AJ Pearce herself, who joined virtually. Fifty readers at the Centre for Organisation and Development were treated to a lively, interactive session. The venues shift depending on the book's theme, and food is always part of the experience, making it equal parts literary and social. To keep the momentum going, Unnati sends daily insights and trivia via WhatsApp to help readers connect more deeply with the book. For their Circe session on May 18, she sent an image of an ancient scroll that had readers guessing the chapters connected to the Greek myth. Next up? A session with history professor Anindita Mukhopadhyay, who will be myth-busting as the group dives into Circe. The Lit People meet on the third Saturday of every month.


Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
World Book Day 2025: Voracious readers' top book recos for non-readers to pick up the habit!
Reading is objectively one of the most gratifying and self-nurturing habits one can take to. After all, what better way than to traverse multiple carefully crafted worlds, that too through your own mind's eye? That being said, cultivating that kind of creativity, and before that, patience, is tough and waning in a day and age characterised by instant gratification. So from those who have held onto the gift of loving books, through the various phases of their lives, here are some top recommendations from readers the world over, which are sure to draw you in smoothly into the allure of being a reader — maybe in a way that will finally stick this time around! Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a short yet impactful novel that's easy to get into, even for people who aren't usually drawn to reading. With its straightforward, almost storybook style and emphasis on timeless themes like personal growth and chasing your dreams, it's an engaging and uplifting read for just about anyone. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, deals with the themes of censorship, over-conformity, and the true price of independent thinking — the value of which is only understood when it is seriously threatened, or completely taken away. This is actually a great diving point for non-readers as the cult classic is not only relevant in terms of the ever-changing political context, but also carries very simple, straightforward language, making it a super-smooth read. Louis Sachar's Holes may be a young adult novel, but it does a great job of keeping the reader engaged between its many practical and emotionally-charged plot points, in addition to the fact that the larger timeline oscillates between the past and present, compelling one to stay engaged each time they pick it up. Douglas Adams' uber-popular franchise, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, marries science fiction with comedy, promises you chuckle after chuckle as you ease into the pages, feeling rather comforted. The plot isn't complicated, and is filled to the brim with imaginative story-telling with exploration and wonder being major themes. A perfect balance then, for new readers on the block. Another cult classic on this list, The Book Thief is actually a great starting point for former voracious readers, who lost touch with the habit and are desperately trying to get back into the loop of things. Wrought with emotion and one of the most unanimously agreed upon solid storylines, this Markus Zusak novel is too easy a pick in this regard. So, this World Book Day, which of these reads will you be immersing yourself in?