Books that left an impact!
I almost always forget what a book is about but these one stayed
I was never a reader. Not an avid reader, let’s say. I have had slumps that have lasted over years. But now that I have finally accepted the title of a writer, I read a lot, naturally.
I have been reading since 2016.
My sister introduced me to Chetan Bhagat, and I think most of us Indian readers start from there.
They are relatable, super easy to read, and you feel accomplished. I read a book! My first book was One Night at the Call Centre. I liked the eeriness of it. That’s all I remember.
Then I read (almost) all of his books. Five Point Someone, Revolution 2020, 3 Mistakes of My Life, One Indian Girl, Half Girlfriend—these I can recall on the top my head.
These books had similar themes and protagonists. Love story, elaborate sex scenes, a life altering decision and (mostly) a happy ending.
This got me into the habit of reading. And I needed more. I started exploring genres, other authors and different categories. I don’t remember the sequence of my next reads, but these are the ones I remember—that left an impact.
The Alchemist
I have read this book twice. Not because I didn’t understand it the first time but because I loved it. And I loved the author. Fate, Destiny, Omen, the elaborate scenes, decisions, losing everything and finiding peace at home.
Ohh! I loved everything about it. I explored more books from the author, added them to my TBR, and I’m realising just now.. I didn’t actually read another book from him. Time to get back to my TBR I guess?
The Kite Runner
I don’t know how to talk about this book. I never thought I’d cry over a book, but I did. The pain, the struggle, the helplessness. This book stayed with me for a while before I picked my next read. I just couldn’t muster the courage to read A Thousand Splendid Suns (still haven’t). But this book made a difference on my as a reader and writer.
Kafka on the Shore
What do we even say about Murakami! He has a gift. The gift of imagination, elaborate thinking, making everything seems unrelated but then connects them all with one sentence.
My first Murakami read was Kafka on the Shore and it is in my top 3 of all time lists. I had never read anything like it before. It made me feel pity on my 18 year old self, reading and admiring Chetan Bhagat, lol.
The Book Thief
I don’t know how do I even start talking about this. The writing is so so so beautiful, its inspiring. I don’t remember the story or the characters a lot, but I rememeber exactly how I felt when reading the book. The analogies, metaphors, it’s almost poetic. I kept the book after reading a few chapeter, thinking it’s a wrong pick. But I picked it again and I am sooo glad I did.
Favourite book of all time—of the writer me!
Forty Rules of Love
This was my first read of 2025. I don’t even have the hard copy of it, I read it on a PDF. I rememeber not being able to turn my phone off and having that ‘just one more chapter’ feeling throughout. Two people talking through letters about 2 people talking about love, and God and Faith.
It was different, it was new, and i genuinely enjoyed it.
And then there were None
Everyone remembers their first Agatha Christie! Murder Mystries. Who killed who? Why? The underlying motives, the throwing off cause you are ‘suspecting the wrong person the whole time’, the ending and the tie backs!
I’ve also read Peril and End House and ABC Murders as well, but then they kinda got predictable, cause you start seeing patterns. But the first read will always stay with me!
Harry Potter Series
How could I not add this! I don’t wanna get into details and might do a dedicated post for this but yeah, it’s here in the series cause-you-know-why
Turtles all the Way Down
Almost forgot this one. I discovered John Green in 2018, I think, and read The Fault in Our Stars. My Cousin spoiled it for me, as he had seen the movie so it didn’t leave much of an impact I guess, but the next read was beautiful.
I never thought OCD could look like that. It was so elaborate, so helpless. so ugghhh, fine I’ll say it.. beautiful.
I feel like I shouldn’t call myself a writer anymore lol. I am so out of words.
If I remember any other reading experiences, I’ll a part 2 of it.
What are your favourite books that have made and impact and stay with you forever?