Eclectic. I believe that’s the correct adjective to describe my Substack. As it is to describe my reading habit. I fluctuate between being an avid reader and being lazy, but my selection is always eclectic.
Regular readers might recall that I had listed my top 10 books of 2024 at the end of last year. But when I learnt a few months ago that Srishti had an Insta handle to post about the books she read, I jumped on the idea. Imitation, after all, is said to be the best form of flattery!
I started off with posting (handle ashok.reads) books as I finished them, but then followed her lead and switched to monthly updates. From there it was an easy jump to assume that some of my Substack readers may be interested as well ….
So here goes with the selection of books that I finished reading in July.
Pachinko, by Lee, Min Jin. My rating 5/5 (Historical Fiction, 2017)
A poor Korean girl emigrates to Japan under forced circumstances. The book covers decades of her and her family’s life in the society they have chosen to embrace to escape poverty and deprivation in Korea. Does it get better? For some. Is there racism? Oh yes. Ms. Lee took me to a world of Korea and Japan that I am deeply interested in because of my travels and is such a fluent writer that it was hard to put the book down.
Nexus, by Yuval Noah Harai. My rating 5/5 (History, Technology, 2024)
Mr. Harari is one of the most insightful writers I’ve encountered. I began Nexus on my Kindle in December 2024 but quickly realized it deserved to be read in physical form. As is typical of his work, the scope is vast—so much so that summarizing it in a few sentences feels nearly impossible. Perhaps the central takeaway is: in a world shaped by complex interconnections, understanding how they have been used over the millennia might help us make the right decisions in an increasingly uncertain world. Brimming with knowledge and wisdom, this is a book I can only urge others to read.
Beartown, by Fredrik Backman: My rating 5/5 (Fiction, 2016)
This is the third book I’ve read by Mr. Backman, and once again, I was not disappointed. Set in a small, little-known Swedish town where ice hockey is everything, the story centers around a violent, traumatic event that shakes the entire community. It’s a gripping narrative—powerfully written and emotionally charged. Though this is only the first book in a series, I find myself unsure whether I want to continue. The world of ice hockey in a remote forest town in Sweden feels distant to me, both geographically and culturally.
The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman. My rating 4/5 (Crime Fiction, 2020)
Four friends meet weekly to solve mysteries—a charming and unlikely premise. In this story, they “dig” into things that happened in the past and work closely with the local police. Witty and warm, soon releasing as a movie on Netflix with an equally irresistible cast! Thank you, Durrat.
The Late Show, by Michael Connelly. My rating 4/5 (Police Fiction, 2017)
I am a (self-confessed) huge fan of the Bosch series by Michael Connelly. The Late Show is book #33 in the Harry Bosch universe and introduces detective René Ballard who has been consigned to the night shift because of a run in with a senior male detective. Mr. Connelly’s stories are always fast paced and hard to put down, but perhaps I am biased in favor of the Bosch character.
You Like It Darker, by Stephen King. My rating 4/5 (Supernatural, Fiction, 2024)
Mr. King is one of the best storytellers of his generation. His imagination knows no bounds and neither does his prolificacy. I have read most of his books over the years (I think …) and this collection of short stories hits most of the usual spots. “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” was my personal favorite. Thank you Srishti. The book is now in the hands of Patrick—hope you are enjoying it!
++++
Endnotes:
Choosing between Pachinko and Nexus as my favorite was a tough call.
I was first exposed to the Korea / Japan history in “The Island for Sea Women” (by Lisa See) which left a deep impression.
It’s been a while since I traveled to Sweden, and should put it on the list.
Michael Connelly named his detective after Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516), the Dutch painter whose work defies description. There is a collection of his works in the Prado, Madrid—the centerpiece “The Garden of Earthly Delights” will send anybody’s head spinning.
A number of Stephen King books and stories have been turned into movies and TV shows of variable quality.
Thanks to Karan for easy access to a source of books.
Thanks to Srishti for making the collage of book covers every month.