Skip to main content

Five Fiction Books to Read this Lockdown

The Planet Earth is in a lockdown, courtesy of a contagious virus that is spreading faster than a Forest fire. Although it is not pleasant for most of us stuck at homes, but reading fiction is one escape that has held on loyally to fight boredom, dull days, and mood swings. Here is a list of five fiction books, I would recommend to check off your reading list this Lockdown. Of course, if you haven't read any of my Novellas to date, do give them a chance as well.


1. Chennai Killings - Chital Mehta 

The only Indian Author on this particular list has written a pacy thriller you need to pass some quality time upon during the Covid19 Lockdown.

Chennai Killings is about a string of murders in Chennai with a Cop, Vikram Rathi, on their trail. Be ready for some exciting twists and a grand surprise of a climax.


2. We the Living - Ayn Rand 

Ayn Rand's novels The Fountainhead & Atlas Shrugged are super famous, decades after they were first published. But I always felt that We the Living was overshadowed in popularity with those two, despite being as good of a novel. 

Its the first novel published by Ayn Rand, way back in 1936 and, like her other works, is even relevant to our times. Its an individual versus the State. Kira against Russia of the 1920s.

An invigorating novel, a good read to peak into the Russia of the times and how mindset has transformed since then, especially regarding self and society.

3. Doctors by Erich Segal

I read Doctors several years ago and still recall how impressive Segal's narrative was. He takes us to a Harvard Class of 1962 and shows us the World of Doctors inside out. With a Pandemic sweeping around us, no better novel to understand the Masked Warriors who are fighting the disease at the frontlines.

4. The Final Diagnosis by Arthur Hailey 

Amongst the most discussed aspects around Coronavirus have been Diagnostics. The testing, the investigation of disease. Maverick writer Arthur Hailey who wrote superb Novels like Hotel, also wrote The Final Diagnosis; a story set against a background of a Pathology department of a Hospital. An enjoyable read which educates us as well.

5. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 

This book is not just a brilliant story but also compelling storytelling by Backman. He glues you to your seat as he narrates the story of a grumpy older man, Ove, who lives alone and is always temperamental. 

The novel somehow makes you look hard on life and death and life again. The way Ove copes up with his new neighbors is both sad and funny at times. It is not a heavy read but still leaves your heart a little by the end.

So this was my list for the Lockdown. I have read about 12 books since being stuck at home, trying to make the best use of this time to dust off the to-read list. 

If you have read any of the books above, I would love to hear your opinion on the same. Also, suggest some more books which you are reading right now or which you would recommend us to read this time. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...

Debate : Do the ends justify the means...

Note : Give it all a fair thought before you jot down... Flaming and religion-bashing will not be tolerated. Your participation is gladly appreciated. I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind... Anyway, let us look at some facts -   Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself. The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had a...

Politics - A Profession

This post is loosely inspired by the  TATA Tea a d  where this politician goes to ask for votes and a voter asks him for his qualification and work experience the the important 'job' that he is embarking upon. The politician laughs at the voter, asking him what job is the voter referring to. The voter responds, "The job to run the country". Do politicians in other countries view politics as a profession? Or is politics viewed similarly across international boundaries? The best way of course to find out is go to that ever useful tool for professionals - LinkedIn.  Here are the results: Barrack Obama Hillary Clinton Sarah Palin The apparently technologically challenged Senator   John McCain . I also came across many politicians, prime ministers who have LinkedIn profiles. While having a LinkedIn profile is not a certificate of a person character, one has to appreciate the intent. Reach out to masses, and more importantly, take politics as a profession. Successful leade...