Interrogating My Chandal Life
Abhijit Khandkar, medical practitioner, Byculla

Manoranjan Byapari lays bare the violence and humiliation embedded within the caste order, refusing the comforting myths of social harmony often promoted by dominant narratives. Through Byapari’s life, we see the Bengal of refugees, labourers and Dalits, a Bengal that rarely finds space in the polished bhadralok imagination. At a time when majoritarian politics is trying to flatten history and identity into one singular narrative, this book reminds us that the voices from the margins are not peripheral to the story; they are central to it.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan’s Curse
Ayaan Mehta, student of Oberoi International School, JVLR

I’ve been reading the third book in Rick Riordan’s series. What’s exciting about it is that it’s a mystery book. My favourite character is Percy Jackson because he is heroic. He stopped Mount Olympus from going into war. After this, I think I’ll pick up the Percy Jackson graphic novels. I’ve also enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series. I received the first one as a gift, but my favourite is the seventh one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I like how kind Harry is.

Kairos
Barkat Dhanji, law student, Versova

Jenny Erpenbeck’s novel perfectly captures the beginning of a perfectly imperfect love along with the tumultuous end of the same and mirrors it with the end of socialism in East Germany. Essentially, as Erpenbeck puts it, how can something that felt so right in the beginning turn out to be so wrong. Reactionary moral outrage must take a backseat in order to fully experience the story Erpenbeck weaves in Kairos.

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers
Presha Sharoff, student, Khar

As an aspiring psychologist, I stumbled upon Robert Sapolsky’s work through his legendary Stanford lectures on YouTube, and I’m glad I did. The book breaks down the science of stress in a way that’s genuinely accessible, and Sapolsky’s wit makes even the most technical concepts an absolute joy to read. I’d recommend it to anyone curious about living well and understanding what chronic stress really does to the body.

Pride and Prejudice
Niharika Bisaria, journalist, Kandivali

I read the abridged version of the classic many years ago in school, but it feels wonderful to read the full novel now. I love Austen’s portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet — intelligent, witty, graceful and practical. She is far ahead of her times, is able to see through Darcy’s pride and despite his wealth, takes her time to study his character before accepting his proposal. I love the detailed description of personalities and the debates on what attributes make for virtuous human beings.

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