Some Fictions for Biginners

Books are the magical portals most immediate to us, opening doors into worlds and lives that are multitudinous and diverse. They sweeps us away from the mundane reality of our existence, into fantasies, horrors and beauties conjured by imagination. They also holds depths of knowledge and wisdom of ages. So, here some recommendations for the souls who haven't yet tried a taste of books. Give it a try and find your poison, or cure!

1. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865)- Lewis Carroll

"You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret all the best people are."

Category : Classic, Children's Literature, Satire, Allegory 

This should not come as a surprise, as I doubt there are anyone who have not heard of this carnivalesque novel which takes one through a rabbit hole into the wonderland with its topsy-turvy power structures and happenings which gets "curiouser and curiouser" as one travels further into the narrative together with Alice. If there happens to be anyone yet to hear of it, let me be the one to introduce you to the Wonderland. 

The novel is suitable for every age as it will read differently with age, and the scope of the book is immense. The story begins with our little Alice following a rabbit in suits, and falls into a rabbit hole. The events that unfold down there until she finally manages to find a way back constitutes the narrative. It is filled with chaos which might seem nonsensical on the surface, which the kids will enjoy for the sheer ridiculousness of it, and for the adults it will take you back to the order of your childhood days, as well as yields to give new meanings and interpretations according to your experience. If you happen to enjoy the world of Wonderland, be sure to pick up the second in the series "Through the Looking Glass" (1871). 

2. The Little Prince (1943) - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart.” 

                       

Category: Classic, Children's Literature, Allegory, Fantasy 

The Little Prince is yet another journey back to your childhood, and an opportunity to unlearn or think about some of the restrictive thinking that we have picked up as a side effect of growing up. The narrative takes off with a an aviator crashing down in a desert where he encounters a little person, who it turns to have come from a small asteroid, where he lives alone with a rose. He then narrates his reasons for leaving the asteroid, his experience in earth so far, and his desire to go back to his rose. The narrative and its meaning is perplexing and challenges the reader to derive a meaning for themselves, for which it leaves enough space. It could be a parable for war as claimed by some, or maybe it is something else, something more, that is for you to read and decide. 

It draws our attention to the little things that we have and makes us appreciate and take responsibility for what is ours in our little world, like the rose is to the little prince. It reads like a fable for children and is highly metaphorical in nature. The novella is very small with tiny illustrations and is well worth the time you takes to read it. The movie adaptation of it is also very good, and recommended.

3.Perks of Being a Wallflower  (1999) - Stephen Chbosky

"We accept the love we think we deserve" 

Category:  Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary 

Perks of Being a Wallflower tells a deeply touching and poignant coming-of-age story of a 15 year old boy named " Charlie", who is introverted, shy, and tends to fade into the backgrounds in any loud setting. The novel progresses in the form of letters written by Charlie during his freshman year of high school. The reader gets to follow Charlie through his adolescent days as he tries to navigate between the worlds of being an adolescent and an adult, eventually breaking free from some of the invisible bounds that pulled him backwards and hindered his emotional development. It is his year of experimentation, experience and discovery, stimulated by different incidents that occur in his family, and through his friends - Patrick and Sam. It is also a story of acceptance of the past and moving forward for the better. It will give you someone to connect with and will help one overcome some of their own monsters, bringing about some purgation for the aches. 
The novel deals with topics regarding mental health, drug usage, sexuality, physical abuse, and rape. 

4. Children of Blood and Bone (2018) (Legacy of Orisha #1) - Tomi Adeyemi

" Courage does not always roar. Valor does not always shine." 

Category: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy 

Magic is no more and the divîners (those with the ability to perform magic) are oppressed and persicuted under the new regime. Zilie, a divîners herself, and her community is forced to live in subservience to the King who was the one to wipe out magic from the land, that is until there occurs a possibility for restoration of the lost magic with the help of a magical scroll. With this we sets on an adventurous journey with Zélie, Amari (Princess) and Tzain, with Prince Inan on their heels, as he hunts them to prevent them from attaining their goal. 
The novel is inspired by Nigerian mythology and will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, with its tight pacing and suspenseful narrative. Once the story kicks off, you will tear through the pages and finish it before you know it. The chemistry between the characters works splendidly, with a well executed development of their relationships. The characters are strong and the story line is engaging with no dull moment, always on the roll. The world building is also done in a structured manner. By the time you end it, be ready to pick up the second book in the installment - Children of Virtue and Vengeance (2019). It is no disappointment either. 

5. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life (2017) - Benjamin Alire Sáenz

"Life had its seasons, and the season of letting go would always come, but there was something very beautiful in that, in the letting go. Leaves were always graceful as they floated away from the tree."

Category: Fiction, Contemporary 

A contemporary coming-of-age story, and much more. If you are looking for a warm blanket of love and affection to wrap yourself in, then go no further. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life will fill your heart with melting warmth and bittersweet ache of familial love, care and loss. It explores the bonds of family and friends, found, but real all the same. 

Sal is in his senior year and we follow him as he tries to make sense of the increased volatility he notices in himself and seeks out his past for answers. It is filled with realistic and relatable characters (the kind that the present world is direly in need of). The story is completely character driven, with not much plot to it. But the beauty of the story and the relationships it portray, so pure and sweet. That's it! Let me not spoil it with unnecessary explanations which will pale to insignificance compared to the brilliant glow of the novel. It will light you up from within.

Happy Reading!