Books To Read This Monsoon

With the monsoon season coming in, it is time to look at a few books which you can enjoy during this season. What better than reading a classic, with a cup of your favourite hot drink while the downpour adds the perfect background music to your reading session?

1. The Great Alone

Author: Kristin Hannah

This novel is set in the 1970s and it follows the story of Leni Allbright, a young girl who moves with her parents to the remote wilderness of Alaska. Leni is just thirteen when her father, Ernt, a former Vietnam War POW, decides to uproot their family and start a new life in the vast, untamed wilderness of Alaska. The Allbrights hope that the solitude and rugged beauty of the Last Frontier will heal Ernt's emotional wounds and bring them closer together as a family.

Initially, Leni is captivated by the untamed wilderness and the tight-knit community in Alaska. She befriends a boy named Matthew and develops a deep connection with him. However, as winter sets in and the days grow shorter, the harsh realities of living in such an isolated and unforgiving place become apparent.

As Leni grows older, she wrestles with her love for her father and the need to protect herself and her mother. She witnesses the toll that domestic violence takes on their lives and faces difficult decisions about her own future.

With the help of their neighbours and the resilience they cultivate, Leni and her mother navigate the treacherous Alaskan landscape and the turbulent relationship with Ernt.

"The Great Alone" explores themes of love, resilience, family dynamics, and the power of nature.

2. The Rainmaker

Author: John Grisham

The book revolves around a young lawyer named Rudy Baylor and his fight against a powerful insurance company.

Rudy Baylor is a recent law school graduate struggling to find a job. He manages to secure employment at a small, shady law firm in Memphis, Tennessee, run by a disbarred lawyer named Bruiser Stone. The firm's primary focus is on personal injury cases, often targeting insurance companies.

Rudy's first case involves a family whose son, Donny Ray Black, is suffering from leukaemia. The insurance company, Great Benefit, denies coverage for potentially life-saving treatment. As Rudy investigates the case, he uncovers unethical practices within Great Benefit. He learns that the company routinely denies legitimate claims to maximize profits. Rudy becomes determined to expose their wrongdoing and win justice for Donny Ray.

"The Rainmaker" explores themes of corporate greed, legal ethics, and the pursuit of justice. It showcases Rudy's growth as a lawyer and his relentless pursuit of truth and fairness.

3. Norwegian Wood

Author: Haruki Murakami

This book is set in Tokyo during the late 1960s and follows the story of Toru Watanabe, a young college student navigating love, loss and challenges of adulthood.

Toru Watanabe, the narrator, reflects on his life as a college student in Tokyo in the late 1960s. The story begins with a nostalgic tone as Toru hears the titular song, "Norwegian Wood," which reminds him of his first love, Naoko. Toru's close friend, Kizuki, commits suicide, which deeply affects him and those around him. Toru and Kizuki's girlfriend, Naoko, develop a connection in their shared grief. They become close and eventually form a romantic relationship, bonding over their loss and emotional struggles.

Toru grapples with his own emotional turmoil, his responsibilities to others, and the challenges of transitioning into adulthood during a time of social and political unrest.

As Toru navigates his own personal journey, he encounters other characters who reflect the disenchanted youth of the era. The story provides a glimpse into the struggles, desires, and search for meaning among the young people of that time.

We hope you found some more books to add to your TBR. Do let us know if you have read any of these books! Happy reading!