Books

I’ve been reading books since I was a child.

Back in those days, we didn’t have much — no internet, no computer, no OTT platforms. So books were our main way of spending time, and for me, they were never just a “time pass.” Books meant a lot more. I’ve lost count of how many books, magazines, and comics I’ve read during my school and college years.

I started off with Bengali books and slowly moved into English ones. Over time, of course, new forms of entertainment took over, and people’s reading habits changed — including mine. But even today, I still manage to read a fair number of books, mostly non-fiction these days.

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Some of My Favorite Fiction

One of my all-time favorite writers in English fiction is Agatha Christie. I’ve read Conan Doyle too, but I personally like Hercule Poirot more than Sherlock Holmes. His style is more methodical, more thoughtful. Two books that stand out for me are The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and And Then There Were None.

I also enjoy deeper, more serious fiction — writers like Franz Kafka and Dostoevsky. Kafka’s The Trial and Metamorphosis really stayed with me. As for Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment and Notes from the Underground are just masterpieces.

Back in college, I used to love reading Sidney Sheldon and Dan Brown. Books like If Tomorrow Comes, Master of the Game, and The Da Vinci Code were super engaging.

 

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Non-Fiction That Reshaped My Thinking

In non-fiction, one book that truly made an impact on me is Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It changed the way I look at history — not just a list of facts, but a story about how we got here and what we’ve learned (or not learned). I think every “Homo sapiens” should read it. That book made me a fan of Harari’s work.

 

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Tintin – A Childhood Favorite

I’ve been reading Tintin since my childhood, and it’s always been one of my absolute favorites. The stories are full of adventure, fun, and just the right amount of clever humor. Even though it’s written mainly for the younger generation, there’s a fine layer of satire in many of the stories — not loud or obvious, but if you look closely, it’s there.

Hergé’s illustrations are just brilliant. The expressions, the action, the tiny details — everything feels so real and natural. I still remember how excited I used to get whenever I got a new Tintin book.

And yes, I have a vintage collection of Tintin books — the real ones, with those thick covers and worn-out pages. It’s quite a collector’s item now.

Honestly, it makes me a little sad that today’s generation doesn’t really get into these kinds of stories. They’re missing out on a lot of fun.

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Bengali Books : My Eternal Love

My love for reading began with Bengali literature. Long before I picked up English novels or non-fiction, I was lost in the pages of Bengali books — stories that felt real, close, and deeply rooted in our land and people.

Below is a glimpse of my bookshelf — the Bengali section, to be specific.

That’s not all, though. There are two more rows of books tucked behind the front ones. Space has become a bit of a problem now when it comes to organizing everything.

If I have to name one favorite, it would be Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay. His writing feels like a quiet breeze through the countryside — simple, honest, and deeply emotional. I read Pather Panchali when I was very young, and it left a lasting impact. Later, books like Aranyak and Chander Pahar took me on unforgettable journeys. It’s amazing to think that Chander Pahar was written without Bibhutibhusan ever visiting Africa.

Another favorite is Saradindu Bandopadhyay — not just for the Byomkesh stories, but also for his historical novels and short stories. His storytelling always carried a distinct voice and flair.

I also admire Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Many readers find his language tough, but I actually enjoy it — especially Kapalkundala. It feels rich and layered, and every line carries weight.

When it comes to Sunil Gangopadhyay, Pratham Alo stands out for me, followed closely by Sei Somoy. His style blends modern and historical themes beautifully.

And then there’s Satyajit Ray, whose stories were a huge part of my childhood. Feluda, Shonku, and those eerie short stories — they were fun, sharp, and imaginative. To be honest, my reading journey probably began with Sonar Kella and his short stories. Even now, I enjoy going back to them.

I’d also like to mention a lesser-known but truly brilliant creation — Ghonada, by Premendra Mitra. As a child, I thought all those forests and islands were fictional. But as I grew older and started checking maps and facts, I was stunned to see how accurate the geography and scientific details were. It’s hard to imagine how Premendra Mitra did such deep research without the internet or modern resources. He might not have visited those places, but his storytelling made them feel real — just like Bibhutibhusan did with Africa.

I’ve also enjoyed the children’s novels written by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay — especially the ones he wrote for young readers. These stories don’t aim for literary depth or logical structure, and honestly, that’s the whole charm! Not everything in life needs to be analyzed — sometimes, you just need a semi-fantasy, semi-real world to escape into.

What makes Shirshendu’s stories so unique is that even when the characters are ghosts or aliens, they somehow feel believable. As a child, I was a huge fan of his books — and truth be told, I still revisit them from time to time.

Are you surprised? I go from Franz Kafka and Dostoevsky to Shirshendu’s childhood tales and Tintin comics? Well, that’s me. A little unpredictable, a bit multi-dimensional — didn’t I say that from the beginning?

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