Hey Readers,

Who would have thought a drug bust involving a celebrity kid would turn into a debate on caste ?

But then again, race and caste have been dominant themes of our world for a while. You see them reflected in a flurry of fiction, zippy and zeitgeist-y ; scroll down for book recommendations on these, both fiction and non-fiction.

Also discover how reading fiction helps Tanya Choudhury in her job, heading business development for a mental health tech platform, further down in our new section - Reader of the Fortnight.

And to revamp your reading life, read more & read better, click here

Fiction Book of the Fortnight

Kindred by Olivia Butler : Fast moving tale of 26 year old Dana, newly married-to-white-husband Kevin and then yanked back in time from her cosy comfortable 1976 California home to a slave plantation in Maryland. It’a a bare bones plot, but it grips you. Bringing home very potently that however much we are lulled into feeling we have advanced to equality, at any moment, we may be yanked back into the past. That caste, exploitation and racism is an integral part of our civilisation, and that like Dana, we must be constantly ready to deal with the ugliest parts of our nature.

Non fiction books of the Fortnight

Wilkerson examines race in America in this best selling book , bringing in caste in India and in Nazi Germany, laying bare its insidious effects on today’s public health , culture and politics.

To read more on caste, go back 80 years. To Dr. B R Ambedkar and his Annihilation of Caste. Originally written to be a speech that was never given, it’s since been published and is available today in paperback. The book makes a series of arguments, each advanced with relentless lawyerly precision. An invocation that is sadly still relevant.

Audio Book of the Fortnight

Luster by Raven Leilani is the story of Edie, a 20 something African American in Manhattan, who is trying to make her way up in the world. She acquires a white boyfriend, a middle aged married man but soon loses her position as a lowly but respectable publishing assistant, becoming a lowlier bike delivery girl. All sorts of bizarre developments ensue. The book is beautifully voiced by Ariel Blake who speaks to us in Edie’s voice with an acerbic, comedic tone of voice. Don’t look for any traces of The Help, this is African American woke at it’s most self aware. Very thought provoking.

Reader of the Fortnight

Tanya Choudhury grew up in Saudi Arabia. She is currently based in Mumbai heading business development for a mental health tech platform. It’s a role that requires persuasion, problem solving and collaboration.

1. Tell us some of your favourite books ?

   The entire Sherlock Holmes series, Joy Luck Club, Diary of a Madman

2. What are you currently reading ?

   Gurnah's Paradise and Designing your life by Bill Burnett.

3. A book you didn’t enjoy ?

   I'll get killed for this - but I never quite got the hype around Harry Potter

4. How does reading help you in your job ?

• I work in mental health and empathy is a key value we are committed to. Reading, and reading widely is to me the most obvious way to expand my consciousness.

• It has been easier for me to live this value (empathy) despite being fairly introverted largely because of the time I have spent with books.

• As you read, you also learn of the many hardships authors and artists have borne to nurture their passion and you tell yourself, I'm trying to build something meaningful here as well - so I must remember that's what I am here for and not get upset at a stalemate situation or take a disappointing conversation to heart. It gives you patience and persistence.

• Reading opens up your mind to so many possibilities I am able to get a lot of lateral thinking into my approach.

5. The Book you give most as a gift ?

   What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

If you or someone you know would like to be featured in Reader of the Fortnight, do write to us at sonyasbookbox@gmail.com

Lastly, in book news, South African Damon Galgut finally wins the Booker prize for his The Promise after two previous nominations , and JCB Prize & Tata Lit Live shortlists are out ! We’ll be carrying reviews & recommendations on these in our next newsletter. Also coming up are must read books on Economics and a round up of the years best reading.

Till next fortnight then, Happy reading ! And in the meantime if you’d like to revamp your reading life, read more & read better, click here

Warm regards,

Sonya

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