Five Books That Inspired Me

Though I have already published three books, I still consider myself a budding writer, striving to excel in the art of storytelling. My passion for writing has been with me since childhood — I have countless half-written manuscripts tucked away. But it was only after reading the following books that my desire to write reached its peak, and I fully immersed myself in this magical world.

Illusions by Richard Bach

The first book that took my breath away was Illusions by Richard Bach. It creates a mystery in your mind — anything and everything can have multiple perspectives. Why is that so? Perhaps because everything is an illusion.

A friend had suggested that I read One by Richard Bach. I loved that book and soon looked for others by him. When I picked up this thin volume, I wondered whether it was fiction or merely a collection of quotations. Fortunately, I decided to buy it.

Though only 143 pages long, it took me longer to finish than a 500-page novel. There were two reasons for this: first, after every two or three pages, I would drift into deep reflection and daydreams; second, I read it slowly — almost afraid of finishing it too soon.

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Wine gets better with age — and so does the great Indian epic Mahabharata. Yet very few authors have tried to reinterpret this patriarchal tale through the eyes of its women. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of the few who placed the reins of this grand story in the hands of its most potent female character, Draupadi.

Draupadi’s character in the Mahabharata is full of extremes, and perhaps that’s what drew Chitra to make her the protagonist. While reading the book, the 21st-century woman in me could relate deeply to the emotions and struggles of a woman from 800 BCE. The story took me on a historical journey but kept reminding me that human emotions are timeless — the same joy, the same need for acceptance, attention, and love remain eternal. On the surface, society has changed, but how men and women think has not.

Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho

Veronika Decides to Die was my fourth Paulo Coelho book, after The Alchemist. Though I loved The Alchemist, there isn’t much left to say about that masterpiece. But Veronika Decides to Die left a lasting imprint on me, as I was going through a phase filled with questions about the meaning of life.

Paulo Coelho is known for writing interpretative literature, and while The Alchemist may be his most famous work, Veronika Decides to Die is my personal favourite. It’s the most honest exploration of life, expressed through the inner thoughts of people contemplating suicide. Without being preachy, it’s an engaging narrative that compels reflection. When death stares you in the face, you gain a kind of unbiased clarity — an awareness of what life truly means.

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

The first time I heard about Rumi was through The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak — a novel that beautifully intertwines two stories. Every thread of one story connects with the other, and that’s what makes it so captivating.

The first narrative follows Ella, a modern woman leading an ordinary life. The second revolves around a wandering dervish named Shams of Tabriz, who searches for a companion to whom he can impart his spiritual knowledge — and that companion turns out to be Rumi.

I was mesmerized by Rumi’s philosophies, and this book changed the way I saw and understood love.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

My spiritual curiosity led me to pick up Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I have always been fascinated by Gautama Buddha and his middle path. What amazed me most was how a German author could so beautifully convey the essence of Buddha’s philosophy — especially considering he had never been to India.

Written in simple yet profound language, this masterpiece has many layers of truth. It tells the story of a man’s desires, his confusion about life’s realities, and the instincts that guide him. It answers many of the questions that every soul seeks through a deeply philosophical narrative.

Hermann Hesse’s grandfather had lived in India for many years and was profoundly influenced by its culture and spirituality. Hesse grew up listening to stories about India and Buddhism, and the result was this timeless novel that continues to make readers think deeply about life and purpose.

Srikanta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

Being born and brought up in West Bengal, I’ve been deeply influenced by the authors of this land. Though I can read Bengali, I am not fluent enough to read complex literature comfortably. So when I came across a translation of Srikanta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, I eagerly picked it up, having heard much about this legendary author.

The story and his writing style fascinated me so much that I later read the Bengali version as well. I was deeply impressed by Sarat Chandra’s unbiased narrative voice — he observes everything without judging, leaving readers to form their own opinions.

More than Srikanta himself, I was drawn to Rajlokkhi — the true embodiment of an Indian woman in love. She continues to love even after separation, knowing she can never marry Srikanta. Though such love might seem impractical today, I felt it was not — true love never dies.

Women play a vital role in all of Sarat Chandra’s works. In this book too, apart from Rajlokkhi, characters like Ananda-di, Abhaya, and Kamal Lata leave a lasting impression. Through Srikanta, Sarat Chandra proved how progressive his thoughts were — especially regarding women. The world of love and passion he created left me deeply moved, and I became his admirer even before I finished the book.

Books are not just stories; they are mirrors to our souls. Each of these books shaped my thoughts, deepened my understanding of life, and strengthened my desire to write.

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Nita Bajoria