Bookbibuli

What inspires a writer to question the world, challenge familiar narratives, and explore the complex intersections of identity, migration, and belonging? And how does literature help us make sense of the times we live in? What does it mean to belong? How do our identities shape the stories we tell? And can literature help us see the world differently? Welcome to an engaging, four-part conversation...

What inspires a writer to question the world, challenge familiar narratives, and explore the complex intersections of identity, migration, and belonging? And how does literature help us make sense of the times we live in? What does it mean to belong? How do our identities shape the stories we tell? And can literature help us see the world differently? Welcome to an engaging, four-part conversation...

What inspires a writer to question the world, challenge familiar narratives, and explore the complex intersections of identity, migration, and belonging? And how does literature help us make sense of the times we live in? What does it mean to belong? How do our identities shape the stories we tell? And can literature help us see the world differently? Welcome to an engaging, four-part conversation...

“But then I have always been somewhat of a square peg in a round hole.” So says Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, a skinny, unremarkable red headed nerd of a boy. Raised in the Hooligan tribe, he truly is a square peg in a round hole; a boy who has never, and will never fit in. And his is a story of becoming a hero, the hard way. Even though the movies mainstreamed the series, the books continu...

You must forge your own path for it to mean anything In 2010, Rick Riordan published the first book of his third and most complex series. Having already written on Greek and Egyptian Mythology, he now produced the first book of a series related to both his most iconic work, now blended with a new Roman element which would add a great deal of new characters and arcs to the universe we love. This ne...

“Hiccup found everyday life rather a trial, but was always good in a crisis.” We have already met Hiccup once before, but on this second journey, it is this quote which sums him up to us perfectly. Not only that, but it sums up the book perfectly. How to be a Pirate is the second book in the How to Train your Dragon series, and it continues the tale of perhaps the most unlikely looking protagonist...

Am I supposed to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle Earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole?” Sophie Foster’s first reaction to being told she is an elf. A very relatable one. The sheer disbelief this response embodies is truly the beginning of the book we are here to discuss today. A book filled with sparkling cities, magical creatures, and glorious technologies. In the words...

“Look, I didn’t want to be a Half-Blood” So begins, one of the finest Young Adult series in history. A Young Adult series filled to the brim with tales of monsters, heroes, bloodshed, death, destruction, and love. After Harry Potter began the revival of reading, especially for Children. Percy Jackson swept books into their hands like a tidal wave depositing debris on shore (Pun very much intended)...

Session 2 begins...

Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan is a collection of simple, realistic stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi. It shows everyday life, human emotions, and social values with gentle humor and clarity.

After a tornado whisks her away from her Kansas home, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in the magical Land of Oz. Guided by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy begins her journey down the yellow brick road to find the Emerald City and seek the help of the powerful Wizard of Oz. Along the way, she meets a Scarecrow who longs for a brain, a Tin Woodman in search of a heart...

In "Wonka," author Sibéal Pounder invites readers into the enchanting early life of Willy Wonka, the imaginative inventor and magician destined to become the world's most renowned chocolatier. This novel serves as an official prequel to Roald Dahl's beloved "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," offering a fresh perspective on the origins of its iconic character. Adapted...

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, first published in 1937, is a classic fantasy adventure that invites readers into a richly imagined world full of dwarves, dragons, and unexpected heroes. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving hobbit from the quiet land of the Shire, who is suddenly swept into a quest to reclaim a lost dwarven kingdom and its treasure from the fearsome dragon Smaug. At its...

Paddington  is a beloved children’s book that introduces readers to a small bear from “darkest Peru” who finds himself alone at Paddington Station in London, wearing a tag that reads: “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Written by Michael Bond and first published in 1958, the story follows the adventures of this polite and curious bear—soon named Paddington—after he is taken in by the kind B...

Tanushree Podder is a well-known novelist and a TEDx speaker, she is passionate about traveling and writing. She writes in various genres like military, historical, and crime for adults and young adults. She has written 35 books as of date, starting with over a dozen non-fiction books and then transitioning to fiction. Nurjahan's Daughter, Boots Belts Berets, On the DoubleAmbapali are some books s...

Tanushree Podder is a well-known novelist and a TEDx speaker, she is passionate about traveling and writing. She writes in various genres like military, historical, and crime for adults and young adults. She has written 35 books as of date, starting with over a dozen non-fiction books and then transitioning to fiction. Nurjahan's Daughter, Boots Belts Berets, On the DoubleAmbapali are some books s...

Tanushree Podder is a well-known novelist and a TEDx speaker, she is passionate about traveling and writing. She writes in various genres like military, historical, and crime for adults and young adults. She has written 35 books as of date, starting with over a dozen non-fiction books and then transitioning to fiction. Nurjahan's Daughter, Boots Belts Berets, On the DoubleAmbapali are some boo...

Tanushree Podder is a well-known novelist and a TEDx speaker, she is passionate about traveling and writing. She writes in various genres like military, historical, and crime for adults and young adults. She has written 35 books as of date, starting with over a dozen non-fiction books and then transitioning to fiction. Nurjahan's Daughter, Boots Belts Berets, On the DoubleAmbapali are some books s...

A classic in child therapy, this is the true story of Dibs—a boy who refuses to speak or play, trapped in a world of his own. Isolated and withdrawn, he has built an invisible prison around himself. But through patience and understanding, he slowly learns to reach for the light, embrace life, and make a breathtaking discovery—his own identity—ultimately finding his way back to the world of other c...

Jawaharlal Nehru’s  Letters from a Father to His Daughter  is a collection of 30 letters written in 1928 to his ten-year-old daughter, Indira Gandhi. Through these letters, Nehru introduces her to a wide range of topics, from history and science to civilization and human evolution. The book serves as both an educational resource and an insightful glimpse into Nehru’s deep affection for his daughte...

Over the years, journalism has lost its depth, favoring shallow, profit-driven infotainment over real investigative work. However, Joe Sacco revives true journalism in  Palestine , documenting firsthand accounts through interviews and illustrations. Like Noam Chomsky, he highlights the often-overlooked Palestinian perspective but focuses more on personal stories than global politics. While this ap...

Breaking Stalin’s Nose  by Eugene Yelchin is a gripping historical novel that offers a powerful glimpse into life under Stalin’s rule in Soviet Russia. Told through the eyes of ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik, the story explores themes of loyalty, fear, and the harsh realities of a totalitarian regime. Sasha idolizes Stalin and dreams of becoming a devoted Communist like his father, but when a shocking...

The story is told from the perspective of a 16-year-old who yearns to make a difference and play a meaningful role in the war, ideally by helping the Resistance. When a neighbor asks him for a favor, he sees it as his opportunity. But he ends up doing much more than he ever expected. The narrative is delivered by the author himself. As World War II nears its end, 16-year-old Michiel finds himself...

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes  is a children’s novel by Eleanor Coerr, published in 1977. It tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl from Hiroshima who was exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing in 1945. At age 12, Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia, a result of the bomb, and was given a year to live. Her friend encouraged her to fold 1,000 origami cranes, believing it would gr...

In striking black-and-white comic strip illustrations,  Persepolis  chronicles Marjane Satrapi's childhood in Tehran, spanning from ages six to fourteen. These formative years coincided with the fall of the Shah’s regime, the rise of the Islamic Revolution, and the brutal war with Iraq. As the intelligent and outspoken only child of Marxist parents and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s...