Arjumand Wani

The Kite Runner is one of those books that almost every fiction lover seems to have read and talked about. It’s been sitting with me for a long time, but I never really picked it up until recently. I had already read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini earlier, and i honestly loved that book ..it was one of the first fiction books that truly got me into reading. so naturally, I had really high hopes for The Kite Runner. The story starts beautifully ...the childhood of Amir and Hassan is written with such warmth and innocence. That first part, set in Kabul, really pulled me in. Their bond, their friendship, and the subtle undercurrents of class and guilt made it both sweet and painful to read. And what happens with Hassan… absolutely devastating. But somewhere after Amir moves to America, the magic started to fade for me. The story slowed down, became a bit too stretched, and honestly, I found myself getting bored. I even thought of leaving it unfinished a few times, but somehow pushed myself to complete it. The plot felt a little predictable ...I could almost sense where it was heading. Maybe this book just didn’t suit my taste the way A Thousand Splendid Suns did. That one stayed with me for days; The Kite Runner didn’t. But I also know every reader experiences books differently what fails to move one person can deeply touch another. So while I respect The Kite Runner for its themes of guilt, redemption, and forgiveness, it simply didn’t hit me the way I hoped it would. Still, I’m glad I finally read it ... even if just to know what the hype was all about.

P. Sainath’s Everybody Loves a Good Drought is a searing portrait of rural India, exposing how development schemes designed in distant offices often deepen suffering instead of reducing it. With sharp satire and deep compassion, he shows us policy failures, bureaucratic negligence, health and education crises, displacement in the name of progress, and the crushing cycles of debt and invisibility that trap the poor. What makes the book unforgettable is how it reveals that women bear the heaviest burdens—walking miles for water, losing education for lack of toilets, risking their health in crumbling hospitals, and carrying the cost of displacement on their bodies and lives. These stories teach us that true development cannot be measured by GDP or highways, but by whether the poorest woman in the poorest village can live with dignity, security, and hope. It is an uncomfortable book, but one that every student, policymaker, and citizen must read—because a nation that silences its poor, especially its women, cannot call itself just or free.

The Teacher by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller that, despite being a slow burn, is completely unputdownable. The plot is deceptively simple and doesn’t rely on an overload of twists and turns, yet it manages to keep the reader hooked from start to finish. The novel explores deep and powerful themes — most prominently past trauma. Addie’s character is shaped by the abuse she faced from her father, which leaves her vulnerable and craving protection. This makes her susceptible to even the smallest gestures of kindness and attention — a stark reminder of how unfair treatment can deeply impact a person’s choices and emotional needs. Another striking theme is alienation, seen through Eve’s married life. Her emotional isolation adds another layer of intensity to the story. One of my favorite moments in the book was the major revelation about Hudson’s full name — a twist that felt so cleverly executed and satisfying. Overall, The Teacher is a gripping, character-driven thriller that combines psychological depth with compelling storytelling. It’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy suspense rooted in human emotions rather than just plot shocks.

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is a hauntingly powerful exploration of human relationships, alienation, and the crushing weight of expectations. The story revolves around Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who works tirelessly to provide for his family. One morning, he wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Surprisingly, his first thought is not about his bizarre transformation but about how he will make it to work. This reaction deeply moved me — it highlights how, in moments of personal catastrophe, many of us still prioritize our responsibilities and the well-being of our loved ones over our own suffering. What struck me most was Gregor’s family’s reaction to his condition. Instead of showing care or compassion, they isolate him, lock him in his room, and eventually treat him as a burden. The narrative painfully reflects a grim reality — society, and often even our closest ones, value us only as long as we are “useful.” Once we lose our ability to serve them, we are discarded, emotionally and physically. Another important theme that resonated with me was how Gregor’s transformation forced his family to become independent. Earlier, they relied completely on Gregor’s earnings, despite being capable of working themselves. His misfortune compelled them to find jobs and sustain themselves. This left me thinking about how families sometimes allow one person to burn out under the weight of responsibilities while they remain passive. One of the most heart-wrenching moments for me was when Gregor is injured by the apple thrown by his father, which remains lodged painfully in his back. Despite his suffering, no one tends to him. Even in his last days, Gregor’s thoughts are filled with concern for his sister’s future and dreams, not for his own pain. His eventual death brings not grief but relief to his family — they immediately move to a smaller apartment and begin imagining a brighter future, free from the “burden” Gregor had become.

Dostoevsky did not just tell a story about a murder, he explored the entire landscape of a man’s conscience, guilt, and eventual redemption. For me, Raskolnikov’s crime was never as important as his suffering. Society may see him as a murderer, but I see him as a deeply tormented soul , a man who acted out of desperation, poverty, and a philosophical belief that he might be extraordinary enough to justify crossing moral boundaries. Society failed him long before he failed it. What truly broke me was not the crime, but the punishment he endured within himself: the unbearable guilt, the delirium, the isolation, the constant war between pride and repentance. The eight years of penal servitude in Siberia felt like a small price compared to the prison of his own mind. The epilogue was where my heart completely surrendered . Raskolnikov, opening the New Testament, letting love into his life through Sonia, and allowing himself to cry. That was the real moment of redemption, far more powerful than any legal verdict. . I didn’t just read Crime and Punishment rather I lived through it, and a part of me is still with Raskolnikov and Sonia in Siberia Indeed a greatest novel of all the times Dostoyevsky- the greatest novelist of all the times

I picked up Tuesdays with Morrie thinking it was a work of fiction, but to my surprise, it turned out to be a memoir. I’m usually not a big fan of non-fiction, but I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. It’s such a beautiful and heartfelt read. Morrie shares his personal experiences and struggles of living with ALS, and through his conversations with Mitch Albom, he teaches profound lessons about life, love, gratitude, and even death. This book is an inspiration. it reminds us how to live fully, to appreciate whatever blessings we have, and to see death not as something to fear, but as something to accept with grace. Morrie shows us how to remain full of life even in the face of suffering. I would especially recommend this book to anyone going through a difficult phase. It’s a gentle guide on how to find meaning, how to embrace life and whatever it brings us A MUST READ BOOK

I finished this book in a single day, and it was such an easy, heartwarming read. The story gently weaves themes of forgiveness, moving on, acceptance, love, and truly living life. I adored all the characters, especially Momoko and Satoru. Satoru is an absolute gem of a man . the way he accepts Momoko without demanding explanations simply melts my heart. Momoko’s character, on the other hand, felt strong and inspiring. Her journey of rediscovering herself, reaching a place in life where she could love fully without feeling like a burden to Satoru, was something deep and beautiful to witness. While the book doesn’t have a very strong plot, its simplicity is exactly what makes it special. It’s the kind of story that leaves you with warmth long after you’ve finished it. And finally I am in awe with the bookshop described in the book...kinda make my heart want to live there too.

🚨----SPOILER ALERT!!!----🚨 Never lie by Frieda McFadden is a very easy read having the capability to keep the reader captivated from the very first page. HOWEVER، honestly, I didn’t find Never Lie extraordinary as a psychological thriller. The only thing that truly surprised me was Tricia’s character ,I had my doubts about Dr. Hale right from the start, so that reveal didn’t hit as hard. The ending really didn’t work for me. I feel both Ethan and Tricia should have faced some consequences for what they had done. Instead, it all wrapped up a little too happily. The last line of the book where Tricia might just kill Ethan too if it ever came to that shows her as a very dangerous psychopath who didn't deserve such a beautiful happy ending The murderers faced absolutely no consequences for their actions and walked away from their actions very easily .So, a stronger ending would have done justice to the story and the characters.

Time Travellers wife by Audrey Niffenegger This was the first science fiction book I’ve ever read, and while I really liked the main idea, the book didn’t fully work for me. The story is about a man who keeps time traveling and how it affects his relationship with the woman he loves. It’s a unique concept, and it had the potential to be amazing. But honestly, the book felt too long and confusing at times. There were just too many time jumps, and after a while, it got a bit boring. The author could have made it shorter and more engaging. I also couldn’t connect with any of the characters much. I felt a little emotional when Henry died, but apart from that, it didn’t touch me the way I had hoped. I did feel bad for Richard, Henry’s father. His life completely changed after his wife died , he became broken and lonely. That part was sad . I liked how Henry, before dying, wished that Clare wouldn’t become like his father, completely consumed by loss. If you are looking for something simpler to read , something which can put you to sleep after a long day of hardwork, then this book may not be a great choice. However, if you are really intrigued by the complex things، this can be your next read. Overall, I wish the story had been told in a simpler and more interesting way.

Jane Eyre is a classic book written in 1847. Honestly, I found it a slow read. i took time to really get into the story. The beginning felt a bit dragging, and I wasn’t fully hooked initally .But as the story went on, I started to connect with Jane and her strength. The ending is very sweet and happy, where everything seems to fall perfectly into place. It felt nice but also a bit too dreamy, like everything seemed too perfect for the reality. Still, the book has its charm. Jane is a strong and kind character, and her journey is emotional and touching. If you’re okay with a slow start and old-style writing, it’s worth reading. It's not perfect, but it is worth giving a read.