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From stories highlighting the benefits of therapy to a coming-of-age tale in Bangladesh and a love story set in pre-Partition Lahore

End 2022 with these five reads

From a collection of stories highlighting the benefits of therapy to a romance spanning countries and a coming-of-age tale amidst migration and the birth of a new nation, there are plenty of titles to pick from

Wrapping up the year with the right book is sometimes as important as ending it on the right note. While the year was filled with interesting book releases, the last month has more to offer. This time around, our list is leaning towards non-fiction with books that talk about “active ageing,” the benefits of therapy, and an autobiography. There are two fiction releases that offer a glimpse into the lives in the Indian subcontinent and the influence that geopolitics can have on them. Here’s more on our December picks:

Rethink Ageing: Lessons in Ageing from the Older and Bolder Generation by Nidhi Chawla and Reshmi Chakraborty Tackling the issue of “ageism” in a country projected to have “over 300 million senior citizens by 2050,” Nidhi Chawla—co-founder and business and strategy head of Silver Talkies (a social enterprise focusing on active ageing)—and Reshmi Chakraborty—co-founder and editor of Silver Talkies—talk about India’s older generation and how they are dealing with “ageing” in today’s world. Examples such as 66-year-old Veena Iyer attaining a degree in dance movement therapy and 87-year-old B.R. Janardan who started running after turning 60 and has since run 16 full marathons, help to put into context the stories of India’s senior citizens who are actively seeking to live fuller lives in the wake of their impending retirement and children moving away from home. 

Rethink Ageing: Lessons in Ageing from the Older and Bolder Generation by Nidhi Chawla and Reshmi Chakraborty 

Tackling the issue of “ageism” in a country projected to have “over 300 million senior citizens by 2050,” Nidhi Chawla—co-founder and business and strategy head of Silver Talkies (a social enterprise focusing on active ageing)—and Reshmi Chakraborty—co-founder and editor of Silver Talkies—talk about India’s older generation and how they are dealing with “ageing” in today’s world. Examples such as 66-year-old Veena Iyer attaining a degree in dance movement therapy and 87-year-old B.R. Janardan who started running after turning 60 and has since run 16 full marathons, help to put into context the stories of India’s senior citizens who are actively seeking to live fuller lives in the wake of their impending retirement and children moving away from home. 

Shurjo’s Clan by Iffat Nawaz American-Bangladeshi writer Iffat Nawaz examines the history of Bangladesh through this work of literary fiction that sees a young girl’s version of events unfold in a newly-formed country. Mixing elements of history and magic realism, the narrative plays out over decades from the East Pakistan migration in 1947 to the Liberation War of 1971 and follows through to the 1980s. The protagonist tells the story of her family as Nawaz offers a peek into a country in a state of flux, through a coming-of-age tale, riddled with themes of death, war, separation and migration.

Shurjo’s Clan by Iffat Nawaz 

American-Bangladeshi writer Iffat Nawaz examines the history of Bangladesh through this work of literary fiction that sees a young girl’s version of events unfold in a newly-formed country. Mixing elements of history and magic realism, the narrative plays out over decades from the East Pakistan migration in 1947 to the Liberation War of 1971 and follows through to the 1980s. The protagonist tells the story of her family as Nawaz offers a peek into a country in a state of flux, through a coming-of-age tale, riddled with themes of death, war, separation and migration.

The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra Close on the heels of the success of her first two books on the material culture of undivided India, New Delhi-based historian Aanchal Malhotra makes her fiction debut with the story of a love torn by the border dividing India and Pakistan. Samir, a Hindu, falls in love with Firdaus, a Muslim, as they lock eyes in Lahore at the former’s perfumery store. However, their love soon has to witness the birth of the two nations in 1947, compelling them to move further away from each other. Malhotra goes on to weave a story of their love, one that spans countries and generations, through this primarily romance novel peppered with socio-political commentary. 

The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra 

Close on the heels of the success of her first two books on the material culture of undivided India, New Delhi-based historian Aanchal Malhotra makes her fiction debut with the story of a love torn by the border dividing India and Pakistan. Samir, a Hindu, falls in love with Firdaus, a Muslim, as they lock eyes in Lahore at the former’s perfumery store. However, their love soon has to witness the birth of the two nations in 1947, compelling them to move further away from each other. Malhotra goes on to weave a story of their love, one that spans countries and generations, through this primarily romance novel peppered with socio-political commentary. 

Zikr: In the Light and Shade of Life – An Autobiography by Muzaffar AliFilmmaker, fashion designer, poet and social worker–Padma Shri-winning Muzaffar Ali is known for the many hats he wears and the life that he has led with a particular kind of joie de vivre. From behind the scenes in Anjuman and Gaman to launching Kotwara and working to protect the crafts of Awadh, Ali, in his autobiography, takes the reader on a journey, offering rare glimpses of his life. Ali’s love for poetry is evident through his prose as well; he writes with a lyrical purview, making this book a pleasure to read. 

Zikr: In the Light and Shade of Life – An Autobiography by Muzaffar Ali

Filmmaker, fashion designer, poet and social worker–Padma Shri-winning Muzaffar Ali is known for the many hats he wears and the life that he has led with a particular kind of joie de vivre. From behind the scenes in Anjuman and Gaman to launching Kotwara and working to protect the crafts of Awadh, Ali, in his autobiography, takes the reader on a journey, offering rare glimpses of his life. Ali’s love for poetry is evident through his prose as well; he writes with a lyrical purview, making this book a pleasure to read. 

And How Do You Feel About That?: Breakdowns and Breakthroughs in the Therapy Room by Aruna Gopakumar and Yashodhara LalIt’s almost 2023 and the word ‘therapy’ still seems to be taboo in our society. This book, authored by two IIM graduates who then trained to become psychotherapy professionals, hopes to throw light upon the benefits of therapy through a collection of 50 stories. Written to offer a fly-on-the-wall perspective into what goes on in a therapy room, the book attempts to take readers through the nuances and positive outcomes of therapy via stories of those who have dealt with issues such as divorce, the need for perfectionism, anxiety and low self-esteem.

And How Do You Feel About That?: Breakdowns and Breakthroughs in the Therapy Room by Aruna Gopakumar and Yashodhara Lal

It’s almost 2023 and the word ‘therapy’ still seems to be taboo in our society. This book, authored by two IIM graduates who then trained to become psychotherapy professionals, hopes to throw light upon the benefits of therapy through a collection of 50 stories. Written to offer a fly-on-the-wall perspective into what goes on in a therapy room, the book attempts to take readers through the nuances and positive outcomes of therapy via stories of those who have dealt with issues such as divorce, the need for perfectionism, anxiety and low self-esteem.

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