Reading a book is a journey. Within the pages lies gripping plots with twists and turns, thought provoking insightful contents, poetic dance of words that evoke emotions, edge of the seat moments, silent romance with the characters, traveling along with them to countless worlds, each time wishing that the magical journey never ends…
The mere sight of a book brings smile on a reader’s lips. Today I share some of my preferable genres that delights my soul…
Spirituality / Religious books
Spirituality is a profound journey within, a connection to God, seeking meaning and purpose, beyond the material aspects of life. It often involves exploring one’s inner self, and a pursuit of personal growth and enlightenment.
Why spiritual books?
I believe that it is important for one to connect to the creator, to find one’s true purpose behind your creation. Spiritual or religious books showcases the importance of staying grounded to the roots along with values that has been kept alive in these ancient texts. Since it is in the form of stories, it is easier to understand and interesting as well. Some of my favourites are in the picture.
Self-help
All selfhelp books have one common message for the readers “ if you want to change something to find success, its You and your perception towards life that needs to be changed”
Why self help?
Having known the purpose of life, I need the right strategies and motivation to incorporate for leading a better independent life. So I read, analyse, the right calcucalated risks to be taken to achieve my goal, be it in personal or professional life.
Some of my favourites
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
The Secret
The Power of Now
Mystery/Crime/ Psychological Thrillers
This genre is basically like solving a puzzle. The characters take you along as they gradually unearth the hidden truths and reveal the mystery.
Why I like thrillers?
Life will be boring without a bit of thrill and suspense. I love books that keeps me guessing and give me the edge of seat moments, thanks to Nancy Drew , Famous Five and Secret Seven series that I grew up reading. This thrill and excitement provided me a comforting escape during challenging times as an adult, thanks to Agatha Christie and Sidney Sheldon. Also I loved to explore the complexities of the human mind, the psychological revelations, behaviours etc in a psycho thriller.
My favourite books
Master of the Game
Murder on the Orient Express
The Silent Patient
Children’s Literature/fairy tales
This genre is the most colourful of all the genres. The stories are designed in a way to interest and enchant the children and make them happy. It truly is a challenge to write a children’s book, with lots of imaginations, illustrations to support, characters that are strong and captivate the young minds in a magical world that doesn’t even exists carrying a moral/message for them to grasp.
Why children’s books?
Childhood is a phase that lets us be what we are without being judged. The realms of innocence, laughter, a series of meaningless questions, the imaginations , the ritual of listening to stories from grandparents, it has it all. Although I cannot go back to my childhood, these books help me revisit this phase of my life for a few moments.
My favourite books
Graphic novels like Tinkle, Chacha Choudury
Enid Blyton books
Alice in Wonderland
Poetry
This is a genre with few words but feelings immerse, that captures hearts with profound emotions. The words create a rhythm, in the reader’s mind that resonates and lingers in the heart for a time.
Why poetry?
As a child I was fond of rhymes. There was this poem, The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea… I was so fascinated by it that I would keep singing it . As a teen it was replaced by quotes, and poems. Often when I felt happy or low, I would either read or write poetry. It sort of gave me happiness or solace. Hence it became my favourite pasttime over the years.
My favourite poet
Mahakavi Bharathiyar poems
Gitanjali by Rabindranth Tagore
The road not taken by Robert Frost
Jeet Kya Haar Kya , snd Madhubala by Harivansh Rai Bacchan
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘BookishCafeBloghop2024’ hosted by Rakhi Jayashankar (https://outsetbooks.com/) and Samata Dey Bose (https://www.indiacafe24.com)
Genesis of Passion 
That cover of Sidney Sheldon brought back the desire to re-read! I must have read it when I was 15. He was among my favourite authors then. I like reading more philosophical/spiritual rather than religious books. I have yet to get tuned to poetry though. I would like to start with Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s book.
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Wow !! I have read almost all the books recommended by you and our choice of genres do match. Chacha Choudhary and Tinkle holds by best memories and I am too a lover for Hindi Poetry. I was so amazed when I saw the verses of Madhushala by Bachachan Sir. And for the religious segment I pick up everything I can make sense of. Nice recommendations.
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I am a big fan of Sidney Sheldon work My reading interest for mystery/thrillers genre started with it. I loved the cover you shared
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Ah! Sidney Sheldon! Read it a lot as a teenager. Spirituality reads are my favourite too.
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Your writing is very easy to follow, and I appreciate how you backed up each of your points with reasons and book recs. I’ll be sure to add your suggestions to my TBR. I’m also a huge fan of Sidney Sheldon and Agatha Christie. My aim is to complete reading all of their works, hopefully!
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Embarking on a literary journey through different genres is indeed a magical experience, and your words beautifully capture the essence of each. Your passion for spirituality and religious books resonates with the profound journey within, offering a connection to the divine and emphasizing the importance of values through captivating stories.Self-help books, as you rightly put it, convey the message that change begins with oneself. Mystery, crime, and psychological thrillers, with their element of suspense, add that much-needed thrill to life. Children’s literature and fairy tales, with their colorful and imaginative worlds, hold a special place, providing a nostalgic connection to the innocence, laughter, and imagination of childhood. The genre of poetry, with its few words but profound emotions, resonates deeply with you.
Your love for these genres is not just a preference; it’s a celebration of the myriad emotions, lessons, and joys that literature brings. May your literary journey continue to be as enchanting and diverse as the genres you embrace!
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I am a that kind of person who only writes or reads without setting any schedule. Similarly, you too gave your thought on how on specific genres you have talked about, really appreciate it. Spiritual books and the very genre is one of my favorite genres to be honest. And, I agree with you on the point that how these books can uplift our minds and portray the importance of staying grounded to the roots. This is truly what we need too have, and work for in our life to provide the best for everyone around us.
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Self help and thrillers are some of my favourite genres
Some of these covers brought back memories for me. Children’s literature is another of my favourite genre that I love reading myself and also read aloud to my kids as well.
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Self help books… I have a love hate relationship with them, but seeing you write so about them, makes me want to pick one of your recommendations and start reading. I have always found them very difficult to finish. Need to find a solution for it, sigh!
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Spirituality and self help books are my go-to preferred genres too 🙂
I wonder how has your experience been reading spirituality books in hindi or other languages?
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I love how you write that these genres can uplift our minds. I agree so much that these are means to a wholesome goodness overall. Spiritual genre and poetry especially are healing
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my love for reading starred with fairy tales when I was little. Now I read them to my kids. A forever favourite 😍
Agatha Christie is my forever favourite writer.. Haven’t read any religious books except for the Gita. And I am trying to Start reading self help.
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Well I should first thank for reminding me to add many books as my next read. I adore your presentation skills and your deeper insights of helping the adrant readers like me with ample recommendations. You remind me good old days of Tinkle and AmarChitra Katha books with children genre recommendations. Please keep up your good blogging skills and help with more and more reviews to fellow readers/bloggers.
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Poetry and Psychological Thrillers are 2 genres I have been wanting to try too.I found 2 interesting poetry books and picked those up. Which book/s would you suggest for me to get into psyc thrillers which are not super scary or horror-type. Should I begin with your 3 favorites?
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My journey into mystery and suspense started with Sidney Sheldon and in my 11th grade, I finished all her books back to back. The children section reminded me how much I loved reading Tinkle and Enid Blyton as a kid.
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