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Life, for most of us, is perhaps an endless pursuit of happiness. We all want to be happy and chase dreams and goals that we think will make us joyous. Everything we do is because we want a happy and comfortable life. But are we ever really happy? Doesn’t it sometimes feel like chasing your shadow? Right there but always out of reach? The moment you achieve something you thought would make you happy, there’s another thing that you want that you believe you need to complete your happiness. And the cycle goes on. 

For me, being happy has always been the main thing and I really try to find joy in simple things. I believe there will always be something or the other that makes you sad or unhappy but if you practice gratitude and start enjoying the little things in life—a good cup of coffee, a nice bunch of flowers, a date with a friend, a lazy Saturday afternoon—you will start seeing that there’s a lot that has the potential to make you happy and fall in love with life. Oftentimes, we take things for granted and let them just pass us by. We only realize the value of good health when we are feeling sickly, we regret not giving time to a friend when he moves abroad and we aren’t able to see him on a whim, and we don’t appreciate what we have till, for some reason, we don’t have it anymore. 

But does that mean we are doomed to this fate? Of chasing happiness and it always being slightly out of reach? It doesn’t have to be as there are some pretty neat books that can teach you how to incorporate happiness in everyday life. I’m not saying reading these will dramatically change your life but over time, you will come to understand that happiness isn’t about achieving one particular goal but a series of consistent things—good health, sound relationships, the ability to sleep well at night etc. These four books will teach you how to look at life in a positive way and be more at peace with yourself.

Stumbling Upon Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

If you think you don’t know what makes you happy, then you must read this book. This book was published in 2006 and has been translated into more than 30 languages because it’s relevant and insightful. Daniel Gilbert is a renowned Harvard psychologist and in ‘Stumbling Upon Happiness’ he breaks down the rules of happiness by showing us the mistakes we make in our imaginations and illusions about the future and how we will get there. He draws on research, philosophy, and behavioral economics to make a convincing case. Instead of telling you what will make you happy, Gilbert focuses on why we are so bad at predicting what will bring us joy. The writing is entertaining and smooth and there are many great techniques that will help you master the art of focusing on what’s important and thus forging your unique path to happiness.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I thought I’d keep ‘The Happiness Project’ out of this list as I felt that I had recommended it just one too many times. But then I thought a list about books on happiness would be incomplete without this gem of a book that takes you on the writer’s own happiness journey. Rubin breaks down happiness into simple, manageable goals. On a bus ride, Rubin suddenly thinks that time is passing and she isn’t focusing on the things that matter. She then decides to dedicate a year to what she calls her happiness project and this book is a documentation of that journey. The chapters are structured month by month. One month, Rubin focuses on friends and creating connections, while in another she chooses to organize her house and look at her finances. The goal, she says, is to simplify things and get rid of unnecessary clutter to make room for what truly matters.

The Korean Book of Happiness by Barbara Zitwer

Barbara Zitwer is an international literary agent who specializes in Korean literature. She is the one who discovered Nobel Prize winning author, Han Kang. ‘The Korean Book of Happiness’ explores how Korean culture and way of life can help you feel more fulfilled and happy. The writing is witty and charming, making reading the book a breeze. The author shares what she learnt about the country during the course of her travels and its fascination with the ancient philosophies of Han, Heung, and Jeong (resilience, joyo, and the art of giving). The book is a memoir, travelogue, guidebook as well as a cultural commentary. It also includes recipes of some authentic Korean dishes. 

Kaizen by Sarah Harvey

Everyone recommends ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear as the most remarkable book on creating lasting changes that will turn your life around and while I really liked the book and would recommend it as well, I think ‘Kaizen’ by Sarah Harvey is the one you should pick up if you aren’t keep on self-help but would like to get started. This is like a starter-kit to a world of self discovery. It outlines Japanese habits that are seemingly small but leave a lasting impact in your life if practiced consistently. Kaizen meaning good change will help you transform your habits without being too hard on yourself. Harvey shows you how to use the principles of Kaizen in every area of your life and tailor it to suit your personality. 

I must admit I’m a sucker for beautifully bound books. There’s a greed to acquire it when I see one, especially if the topic appeals to me. This year, I’ve been on a self-imposed book-buying restriction. I’ve sort of vowed not to buy more books till I finish at least half of what I have in my to-be-read shelf. But during a recent trip to a bookstore with a friend who wanted a specific Nepali book, my eyes fell upon ‘The Stories Behind the Poses’ in the new arrivals section. I picked it up just to have a look but I couldn’t put it down. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have entered the bookstore if I were serious about not buying more books. But I walked out with a stunning copy of the yoga guidebook that I have been leafing through every single day since then.

I started doing yoga a few years ago, following some health issues and it really helped me heal. I had never felt more active and at ease with my body. So, now I do yoga every day for an hour and it makes me feel good about myself. My periods and skin have also gotten better. But I felt like I had gotten into it blind and wanted to educate myself about the history of yoga. Though I have several books on Ayurveda and yoga, they haven’t been as immersive reading as The Stories Behind the Poses.

The Stories Behind the Poses is a collection of Indian myths behind 50 yoga postures. Each posture is explained in detail and accompanied by a stunning illustration of a god or goddess on colorful pages. It’s a visually appealing book that can be used as a great coffee table book. It’s too beautiful not to be displayed and just shoved in the shelves. The good thing about the book is that you don’t have to read it in order and you can just dip in and out, choosing to read a few pages at a time.

If you do yoga, you can also choose to enhance your practice by learning about one pose before or after your class every day. Alongside that, you’ll also boost your knowledge about Hindu mythology. This is a must have book for yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and even students of mythology. Balkaran tells compelling stories and invites yoga practitioners to deepen their practice with a thorough understanding of what they are doing and why. 

The Stories Behind the Poses

Dr Raj Balkaran

Illustrated by Devika Menon

Published: 2022

Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Pages: 224, Hardcover

When was the last time you read a children’s book? To your child at bedtime or just simply by yourself? Most of us don’t pick up a children’s book unless there’s a child involved but reading this genre of literature can have various benefits. First, it’s bite-sized fiction and you won’t have to spend a lot of time with a book when you have a zillion things to do. Second, children’s books are highly imaginative and they really get your creative muscles working. For me, it’s an extremely relaxing activity, one that doesn’t take much mental energy. It instantly uplifts my mood and makes me feel better. I also read children’s books when I’m unwell and find myself unable to concentrate. Here are six of my favorite children’s books that are bound to appeal to you too because of their fun and light-hearted content. Additionally, they will also make you feel better about yourself and life in general, infusing your days with a dash of hope.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I will never tire of this book or even the brilliantly adapted 1996 movie starring Mara Wilson and Daniel DeVito. About a talented and genius girl who is ignored by her family and learns to fend for herself, Matilda is a heartwarming tale of a steely girl fighting the odds, in hilarious ways, to thrive in a world that seems determined to sideline her. It’s funny. It’s cute. And it’s got a fair bit of suspense as well. I recommend you read the book and watch the movie as well. You won’t regret it.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll

The beginning of the book where Alice is basking in the sun with her sister as she reads a book is a comforting scene. I always find myself reading the first couple of passages over and over again. Then Alice sees a white rabbit in a waistcoat and with a pocket watch rush by, murmuring to himself that he is late and she follows him down a rabbit hole. What happens next is a series of most peculiar events that is sure to delight you. A hallway full of doors, potions that shrink you, cakes that make you grow, and tears that turn into the sea, there are lots of fascinating things in Alice in Wonderland.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss

This is one of my all time favorite books as it’s really inspiring. It will barely take 10 to 15 minutes for you to read it but the message it leaves behind stays forever. It’s an uplifting book full of motivational lines. I really like the layout of the book as well. Each page is marvelously designed and you’ll want to look at it for a while. The book was published in 1990 but it’s a timeless classic. Dr Seuss has many books to his credit and all of them are beautifully written and illustrated but Oh, the Places You’ll Go is enjoyable and important for both children and adults alike.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I recently came across The Giving Tree and I was bowled over by the simple yet inspiring story. Marketed as a children’s book, I believe this one should be prescribed reading for people of all ages. It was published in 1964 and has been translated into several languages till date. The book conveys a powerful message about unconditional love and the joy of being with your loved ones. The simple story is a masterclass in gratitude and selflessness. Each time you read this book, you’ll be inspired to change your attitude for the better and start seeing the world in a different light.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Published in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is about the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a barn spider named Charlotte. The spider saves the pig from being slaughtered by weaving words about him in her web, thereby convincing the farmer that he is too special to be killed. There are a few other equally endearing characters and the story conveys a message about the power of friendship and love. Fern, who raises Wilbur, is such a sweet character who inspires you to cultivate a child-like innocence—you see there’s so much beauty in it. E.B.White also wrote Stuart Little which is another children’s book that I really enjoy but Charlotte’s Web is the one I pick up when I’m feeling down and need something to cheer me up.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Most of us know the character of Winnie the Pooh because we have seen it on television but how many of us have read the 1926 children’s book that all the movie adaptions are based on? If you haven’t read the book, then you are missing out. There’s a quote in the book that I find comforting: If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. There are many nuggets like this in the book which is an unlikely story of friendship. Milne shows that everyone has a place in the society and that kindness should be valued more than other traits like confidence or intelligence.

The last time most of us read poems was probably in school. We never picked up a book of poems, never having developed a taste for the elaborate language that the form of literature seems to deploy. Fair to say, we are a little intimidated by poetry, relegating it to the preferences of philosophers, students of literature, and poets themselves. 

But a few years ago, a friend forced me to read some poems she loved. I have to admit that they didn’t make much sense to me despite her coaxing me not to think too much and just let the words wash over me. It wasn’t likely that I would pick up a book of poems in the future but my friend kept insisting I was missing out and that poems could offer wisdom and insight in a way that stays with you. Seeing she felt so passionately about it, I thought I’d give it one last try and bought a book of poems called ‘Greatest Poetry Ever Written’.

Some of the poems in the book were ones I had read in school and college. They reminded me of a simpler, happier time and I read all the poems in the book, charmed by their nostalgic quality. I especially loved the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. I could even recite it from memory after a while, having read it over and over again. After this though I didn’t have much luck with poetry again and struggled to find meaning in them. 

But the good thing was I kept trying, reading them online or buying books that caught my fancy. I liked the fact that a book of poems with me meant I could dip in and out whenever I wanted without having to commit too much time, especially when I felt ambushed by work and deadlines. This was when I discovered contemporary poets like Nikita Gill and Rupi Kaur whose words resonated with me and I didn’t have to struggle to decipher the hidden meaning behind them. That being said, I’ve also come to realize that not every poem is meant for you and like my friend once told me you just have to let the words wash over you and take your time with them. 

But it would be a grave injustice if you were to sideline this important form of literature as it can be extremely comforting and make you able to look at things from a wide range of emotional perspectives. Here are some books of poems that are great starter kits if you are just getting into the genre.

Burning Roses in My Garden by Taslima Nasrin

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi writer who is famous for the book ‘Lajja’ (Shame) that describes how a Hindu family in Bangladesh is hounded by their Muslim neighbors. A fatwa was passed against her after its publication and she went into exile as well. ‘Burning Roses in My Garden’ might be her lesser known work but it is no less important. It’s an intimate collection of personal longings and political commentary and gets into the heart of what it is like being an outsider when you are in exile. The themes are mostly longing, loneliness, and sorrow.

She Must Be Mad by Charly Cox

Charly Cox is a British poet and writer whose book ‘She Must Be Mad’ is a collection of short prose and poetry that explores what it is like for a young woman to grow up in today’s society. The format of the book is unlike any other you might have read and that keeps things refreshing. Divided into four sections and exploring a variety of themes like relationships, depression, and self-image among others, She Must Be Mad will take you on a rollercoaster journey of emotions. The tone is simple and lighthearted but the themes give it the gravitas it needs to be a thought provoking read. 

Yesterday I was the Moon by Noor Unnahar

A fun thing about this book is its unique size and layout, complete with illustrations that go with the words on the page. I was enamored by the writing which is simple but hard hitting. ‘Yesterday I was the Moon’ explores courage, self-love, and cultural acceptance. There are also themes of love and loss and the cathartic nature of art. The Pakistani poet’s voice is unique and her poems get better in the second half of the book as she gains confidence with her words. Though meant for a young-audience, I think people of all ages will be able to relate to the poems as the themes are universal. 

The Girl and the Goddess by Nikita Gill

‘Fierce Fairytales’ by Nikita Gill is one of my all time favorite books. It’s a modern take on traditional fairy tales. Gill has many books to her credit but I’d recommend you start with ‘The Girl and the Goddess’ to get a taste and feel of her style of work first. Like Charly Cox’s book, this too has a mix of poetry and prose and is thus really easy to get into. Exploring Hindu mythology and legend, The Girl and the Goddess tells the story of Paro, a girl born into a family that is still dealing with the pain of the partition in India. It’s a very evocative and stirring work that is likely to stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver

This slim book of poetry is a must read, though slightly more complicated than the rest of the books on this list. In ‘A Thousand Mornings’ Oliver takes us to the marshland and coastline of her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Here, while looking at the leaves of trees or mourning the passing of her treasured dog, she imparts valuable life lessons with unmatched clarity and humor. The mundane daily occurrences come alive in her poems and the book reminds us of how glorious life can be if we just started paying a little more attention to the small things around us.