Averse to love

Growing up, books and I had a purely transactional relationship. They were a means to an end—I'd read my textbooks and notes, and that was it. The idea of picking up a book for fun felt like extra homework, and who wants that?

My aversion to reading was so strong that it took a desperate need to avoid eye contact with strangers on my daily commute to finally pick up a novel. My first real dive was Sidney Sheldon's Tell Me Your Dreams. It was an absolute game-changer, a gateway drug into the wonderful world of fiction. It completely hooked me, and suddenly, I was a full-fledged reader.

Since then, I've dived into everything from gritty non-fiction for a dose of reality to fiction that's a one-way ticket to another universe. Nothing beats fiction for a good escape, where you can lose yourself completely. Some characters become part of your soul, making you laugh, cry, and inspire to see those places in real life, and some make you angry the way the characters are portrayed.

My top picks from Indian authors,

Volga - Liberation of Sita - it is an absolute mind changer. This one is my favourite and I read it again and again every now and then. Every single time I take something new out of it.

Vikram Seth - A Suitable Boy - The strong characterisation and setting take you back in time.

Ashok K. Banker - Siege of Mithila, Bridge of Rama, King of Ayodhya, Demons of Chitrakut- series of incidents from Ramayana - Boredom is not the word you are looking for when you start his books. I haven't revisited his book in a decade.

If you have other recommendations, please share them! I haven't had the chance to read many Indian authors, largely due to accessibility. The books listed above were wonderful finds at my local library, and they led me to seek out more from those same authors.

I also enjoy fiction by authors like Anna Rodd, Alexandra Potter, Jodi Picoult, and Stephenie Meyer and many more I don't remember now. I'm drawn to women authors because I feel they often excel at writing strong, compelling female characters. I also enjoy books by Paulo Coelho, Yann Martel, and similar authors when I really want to read and get inspired.

Lately, I've been into podcasts and audiobooks, but Kindle is my favourite way to escape reality. I love reading Tamil books, and Kindle is the way to get my everyday dose of Tamil novels. That said, I'm sure you know the feeling of picking up a book with high hopes, only to be utterly disappointed by ridiculous characters and a nonsensical plot. When that happens, I usually vent my frustration to G, who patiently listens—a true saint.

What's your fav book?