BOOK SHELF

The Underground Railway by Colson Whitehead

Being selected for Oprah’s Book Club gives a massive boost to books, and The Underground Railway surely benefitted from the endorsement of the Queen of All Media. Set in the antebellum South, Colson Whitehead’s sixth novel tells the story of a young slave’s desperate bid for freedom. Its emotions have resonated with many readers, and the book has widely received praise for its depth and the historical significance of its subject matter.

The Girls by Emma Cline

Its reception by readers may have been more mixed but Emma Cline’s debut novel, The Girls, has been lauded by critics, many of whom rank it among the best books of the year. Simile-laden and verbose, the book is about a girl who becomes a part of a cult. Some have found it spellbinding, others think it’s a tad boring, but the novel has definitely made an impact this year.

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

It lacks details of the arts - dance and music - that are at the heart of its story, but Zadie Smith’s lyrical style has still managed to take readers on a touching, intriguing journey in Swing Time. Focusing on women and race, the fifth novel by the acclaimed author tells the tale of two mixed race girls who meet in a tap class in the 1980s and dream to be dancers, moving from London to West Africa while discovering their roots.

Harry Potter and the Cursed

Child by J.K. Rowling and Jack Thorne

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child wasn’t nearly as exciting as readers had been hoping. The eagerly anticipated eighth story in the Harry Potter series is presented in the form of the script from the stage production, but it comes across more like fan fiction than a project endorsed by J.K. Rowling. You can surmise how weak the effort is by the fact that even most diehard Potterheads haven’t been able to hide their disappointment with the project. (The new Potterverse film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, on the other hand, has fared significantly better and was received with much more enthusiasm.)

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Famous for writing sappy relationship dramas (that eventually get turned into movies which are then ripped to shreds by critics but end up making millions of dollars anyway), the immensely popular Nicholas Sparks turned his attention from love to divorce as he published his latest novel, Two by Two, this year. The book revolves around a man whose life is turned upside down after his marriage falls apart; he suddenly finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter while trying to navigate his new reality.

The Whistler by John Grisham

It’s strange how so many of us keep complaining about the diminishing quality of John Grisham’s work and then keep going back for more every time he releases a new novel. The Whistler is no different. The bestselling author’s latest legal thriller deals with judicial misconduct, as an investigator is handed the case of a corrupt judge. Like most of his recent work, The Whistler is readable but nothing extraordinary, and certainly not the best effort by one of the most successful authors of all time.

End of Watch by Stephen King

The trilogy focusing on detective Bill Hodges that started with Mr. Mercedes - which was, according to the author, his first hard-boiled detective book - in 2014 wrapped up this year with the third volume in the series, End of Watch. The 55th novel by the writer who is famous for his horror fiction sees his protagonist trying to figure out a way to stop the killer who drives his enemies to suicide.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Paul Kalanithi’s posthumous memoir is definitely one of the standout books of the year, touching the hearts of readers around the world. The autobiographical tome was written by the Indian-American writer who was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer while completing his training as a neurosurgeon. The book chronicles his life and illness, with the epilogue written by his wife Lucy. The disease claimed the author’s life last year, but his memoir has made his words immortal.

Brief Histories of Everyday

Objects by Andy Warner

Following the footsteps of authors like Randall Munroe, Andy Warner has given us a graphic tour of how different items - ranging from things we find in our living rooms and closets to our kitchens, bathrooms, and offices - were created. Brief Histories of Everyday Objects sheds light on inventions and their inventors, and details how things as varied as toothbrushes, traffic lights, safety pins, and streetlights came to be, and who benefitted from their creation. Informative and entertaining, its interesting trivia is suitable for readers of all ages. The book hooks you from start to finish and leaves you wanting more.

The View from the

Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman

The fantasy author took a break from writing fiction to share a collection of personal and observational essays with the readers. Covering a range of topics from literature to art, Gaiman put together some of his shorter works - like speeches, articles, and essays - into a collection that has proven to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Girl with the

Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer has somehow managed to convince the world that she is a comedienne without actually bothering to be particularly funny or original. But what’s even more baffling is that the confusingly popular actress even managed to convince someone to pay her an unprecedentedly huge sum of money - rumoured to be as much as a record $10 million, more than any other celebrity has ever been paid for a book - to publish a collection of personal essays. We already knew she’s no Tina Fey, but Schumer’s lacklustre The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo is even more uninspired and uninteresting than one would have imagined.

Great Again: How to Fix Our

Crippled America by Donald J. Trump

If we weren’t so busy being appalled by everything that came out of Donald Trump’s mouth, we might have been almost impressed by his ability to get the U.S. to elect him as their president. A part of that effort included writing a book. Before the man and his hyperbolic rhetoric climbed their way to the very top, he published a volume about what he promised to do: make America great again. First printed as Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again last year before being rereleased in paperback as Great Again: How to Fix Our Crippled America in 2016, the book sheds light on Trump’s stances on different issues. His campaign loved the book so much that they even purchased $55,000 worth of copies in bulk for convention gifting purposes.

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

Many celebrity memoirs simply seem like a waste of the paper they’re printed on, but there are rare gems that are genuinely insightful and enjoyable. Born to Run is one such book. The Boss finally wrote his autobiography, and we are so glad he did. Candid and detailed, the tome finds Bruce Springsteen reminiscing over his life and career, giving us a glimpse at the person behind the music while telling us how that music came to life. A compelling look at one of the most impressive artists of his time, the book is a treat for music fans.