The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
724 Pages, Published In 2023
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An epic novel that spans three generations, multiple families, and two continents across 724 pages. Set against South India’s evolving landscape—from colonial rule to independence and war (1900-1977), it is a sweeping story of enduring love, generational trauma, and the healing power of compassion. Water connects the characters across time and space. Written by a medical surgeon, the novel brings a depth of medical insight, exploring acoustic neuroma and leprosy that afflict generations.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
329 Pages, Published In 2015
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Jenny Lawson’s Furiously Happy isn’t merely a humor memoir; it’s a defiant celebration of joy found amidst the chaos of mental illness. This “collection of bizarre essays and confused thoughts” examines her experience of deep depression and other mental illnesses, confronting it with humor and resilience. Shouldn’t we all strive for “furiously happy,” regardless of our internal battles? It’s a raw, hilarious, and profoundly moving reminder that even within darkness, joy remains possible.
The Second Mountain by David Brooks
384 Pages, Published In 2019
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The Second Mountain by David Brooks is a self-help book that explores the meaning of life through the metaphor of two mountains with a valley in between. The first mountain represents success, ambition, and personal achievement, yet often leaves one feeling unfulfilled in the valley. The second mountain embodies a more meaningful life built on four key commitments—Vocation, Marriage, Faith, and Community—shifting from hyper-individualism to a life of deeper connection to others.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
188 Pages, Published In 2007
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Winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, The Vegetarian is a haunting psychological novel about personal rebellion, transformation, and the consequences of nonconformity. Each of its three chapters is told from the perspective of a family member around the female protagonist. Captivating opening line: “Before my wife turned vegetarian, I thought of her as completely unremarkable in every way.” Loved the first two chapters, but the last one felt a little dull and predictable.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
418 Pages, Published In 2016
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In his Pulitzer Prize-winning Evicted, Desmond follows 8 families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads, revealing how eviction is not just a symptom of poverty but also a cause—not just an family misfortune but a systemic issue. “Without stable shelter, everything else falls apart.” Eviction is not just about losing a home—it disrupts employment, education, and health, trapping families in a vicious cycle of instability & hardship. A nonfiction reads like a novel.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
351 Pages, Published In 1985
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Often hailed as one of the greatest American novels ever written, Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian (1985) is an epic historical novel set along the Texas-Mexico border in the 1850s. It follows a 14-year-old boy, the Kid, who flees Tennessee and joins the infamous Glanton Gang—a ruthless band of scalp hunters who massacre Indigenous people and anyone in their path. Brutal, violent, dark, and deeply philosophical, Blood Meridian stands as a towering masterpiece of the American Western novel.
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
304 Pages, Published In 2023
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“This is who we are: the richest country on earth, with more poverty than any other advanced democracy.” Following his Pulitzer Prize-winning Evicted, in Poverty by America, Desmond explores why poverty persists in the US despite its vast wealth. Examining how American society exploits the poor, subsidizes the affluent, and concentrates wealth in private hands, he argues that Poverty is the result of deliberate policies and choices that benefit the wealthy while keeping the poor in place.
Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ
320 Pages, Published In 2020
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Set in 1938, during Taiwan’s period under Japanese colonial rule, the story follows a Japanese novelist journaling his travels across the island, accompanied by a knowledgeable local translator. Each chapter is named after a local dish, blending culinary exploration with the unfolding events and the intricate interactions among locals, colonists, and Taiwan-born Japanese. Ultimately, it is a tale of friendship and love, only under the shadow of Japan’s Southern Expansion policy pre-WWII.
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
288 Pages, Published In 1936
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First published in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a timeless self-help book that offers principles and practical advice on dealing with people: - Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain - Give honest and sincere appreciation - Become genuinely interested in other people - Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely - Remember a person’s name - Be a good listener - Smile. Warren Buffett took the Dale Carnegie course when he was 20 years old.
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
176 Pages, Published In 2011
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More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa is a charming sequel to Days at Morisaki Bookshop. This time, the focus shifts to the protagonist’s aunt, who suddenly disappears, leaving her and her uncle to uncover the truth of her past. Like the first book, it’s comforting, heartwarming, and deeply reflective. I connected with the characters just as much as in the first book, and their stories resonated deeply with me. Another beautiful example of Japanese fiction that I love.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
150 Pages, Published In 2000
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Days at Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa is a heartwarming Japanese novella about healing and self-discovery through the magic of books. When a 25-year-old woman loses her boyfriend and falls into deep depression, her eccentric uncle offers her a place to stay in his cramped bookshop in Jimbocho, Japan’s famous book town. Surrounded by literature, she slowly rediscovers herself through books and unexpected connections. Felt deeply and loved many characters. Comforting and reflective.
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
324 Pages, Published In 2024
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The Life Impossible tells the story of a 72-year-old English widow who has endured unimaginable grief and loss. When unexpectedly inherited a house in Ibiza from an old friend, she embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries surrounding her friend’s life and death. Along the way, she also confronts and comes to terms with her own unresolved past. Blending elements of fantasy and realism, it explores themes of loss, acceptance, and the purpose of life. It reminds me of The Secret Garden.