Waiting at the Mountain Pass - Harmandeep Kaur Gill

Non-Fiction

Verdict: Read it.

Tibet and the Tibetan diaspora are rather politically charged topics. While the author wasn't being intentionally political, there were, of course, political topics that were touched upon.

Every culture has its ideas on death. As most Tibetans and displaced Tibetans are Buddhists, Buddhist philosophy informs their views on death. This book examines the philosophies that Tibetans have as they reach the end of their lives and die. The author does a very clinical and research-disciplined discussion on the topics, even while including stories from the Tibetan Diaspora itself. 

Tibet and displaced Tibetans aren't a population that is naturally accessible to me, so this was interesting to read. I enjoy reading different cultural interpretations of life evens as well. The author uses a few different diaspora locations, 2 of which I have been to during my time in India - Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh and Bylakuppe in Karnataka. The author does wander into the reasons for the diaspora and why it deeply affects displaced people. It is a diversion, but one I feel should be discussed more, so I won't nitpick on that.

The author also examines why this process can be a lonely and isolating one for many people, though I believe that's true for many people, not so many stay with family anymore. It's not the most feel-good topic, but it is a universal one. I feel it's a good read if you've read the Tibetan Book of the Dead, or as a pre-amble to that.

I won't comment on my own pre- or post-death philosophy, but there is something uniting about contemplating something everyone must pass through, but no one knows what's on the other side.

~Becky~

The City Under the City - Jeet Thayil

Poetry

Verdict: Confusing Read

As I mentioned a few posts back, this was a very confusing book of poetry. I think mainly because I am not able to connect with this type of poetry. That being said, it wasn't a long or hard read. Check it out if you like Jeet Thayil or confusing poetry. 

~Becky~

Fool Bahadur - Jayanath Pati

Fiction

Verdict: Read it

This was a short little novel with a cute jacket. The story is simple, but you can't help but be entertained. I can't even explain how many simple, middle-class uncles can fit in this character.  Don't expect the Iliad, but you won't be disappointed.

~Becky~

The Elsewhereians - Jeet Thayil

Auto Biographical

Verdict: Read it

I had previously explored a book of poetry from Jeet Thayil that I found extremely hard to connect to. This was an excellent autobiographical story, so I'm glad I stuck with him. 

This book goes through the consequences of a father's (implied) affair and the author's journey mid way though life to find the person that impacted the father so much. It's painful to read in spots, even though the author glosses over most of the emotional fallout that such a decision must have had on his wife and the family.

The story itself is interesting as the author enjoys his adventure. He extends a lot of grace to his family during a very difficult time. There are a lot of weird details that make their way in (lots about tunnels in Vietnam, ghosts). It's not a strictly chronological story, and it jumps here and there in a vaguely forward manner. 

I'm not doing it much justice because it's a convoluted book. Even with that, it's charming, and you want the writer to resolve whatever it is inside him that made him take that trip. 

Read it. Not all families are the same, but family systems often have themes everyone can relate to. It will touch you when you don't expect it.

~Becky~

How To Walk Into a Room - Emily Freeman

Non-Fiction

Verdict: If you need instructions or inspiration

I have had 2 reactions to self-help books. They are either super helpful or not at all useful. I was hoping this would have some practical tips on how to read people better. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

While the author's premises (entries and exits in different phases of life) are accurate, it's more of a common-sense discussion on knowing when you've worn out your welcome, and your entitlement to move into different "rooms" as you move through phases of life. 

Yes, definitely, do that. I didn't find it particularly helpful as this is a lesson I've already been learning and refining for almost 10 years now. The author is more aimed at addressing the guilt and hesitation to move on rather than knowing when it's time. I guess that the transition time isn't static and will be different for everyone, but I didn't find it particularly useful.

I guess this would be helpful for a 20 year old who could use these lessons early rather than learning them like I did at 40. I know that's my personal reaction to it, you'll have to decide if you need to examine this for yourself.

~Becky~

Locking Down the Poor - Harsh Mander

Non-Fiction

Verdict: Read it because certain things need a voice

I'm starting something new - adding covers. Since I love book covers so much, I thought I would share them to maybe inspire you to try something new as well. 

COVID was a life-changing time for people around the world. Governments from all over the world made both good and terrible decisions while trying to keep their populations safe from a virus they neither understood nor were prepared for. India, of course, was no exception. It kept strict lockdown policies at a few points during the COVID pandemic, and this book examines some of the problems with how the government looked at people (particularly how it overlooked poor people and labourers) and how that still affects India today.

Just being honest: books that focus on persecuted populations in India tend to rub me the wrong way. There's a very specific tilting of information on this side of the line, too.  That being said, the effects on people who had little to no resources were real. Therefore, it's important to acknowledge it.  India, of course, has its fair share of crazy politics, and people both love and hate the ruling party - the same one that was there when COVID was happening. I also feel it's quite easy to sit back afterwards and criticise a government or ruling party after all is said and done. It would have been useful as a tool of retrospecting rather than blame.

The book walks step-by-step through some of the difficult results of locking down a poor population - no work, no food, and no way to travel back to villages to at least be with family. As with many other circumstances, the consequences for bucking the rules are harsher for those who are poor or considered less than. 

While the points in this book are definitely valid, Inda doesn't respond quickly to honest valid criticism. The country has been build systems that exists for reasons that are from from humanitarian. Changing these systems becomes impossible when money is the prime motivator and is directly connected with power. This leaves the reader (or at least this reader) hopelessly frustrated at valid points that will be ignored. It's worth the read if you want to see concrete examples of how the government and people in power view the poor in India. 

~Becky~

Neither Night nor Day

Ficton

Verdict: Read it!

This is a collection of stories from Pakistani women. In a country that doesn't value women, forget about their writing and stories; this was a surprisingly well-curated group. I enjoyed each of the stories, though many of them made me angry in my independent little feminist heart. I won't harp on this, but it is there. 

The stories cover a broad range of experiences and emotions. I took the time to savor them and really contemplate how they came to be written. This small book is well worth the time it takes to read and consider if you can find it.

~Becky~