BOOKS THAT HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng - The opening three sentences quoted at the beginning of this article are coming from this little book with a huge power. It tells a story of a family that wants to stand out and, at the same time, fit in. It beautifully interlinks the past with the present, different narratives, and it does not lose the pace. On the contrary, it hurries you to the heartbreaking conclusion. 

Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari - This book has taught me interesting facts about Sapiens, it made me laugh out loud (many times), and it simple combines a history lesson with a bit of sarcastic point of view. It might have more than 400 pages, but you will hardly notice it.

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen - If you want to discover a bit of Scandinavian literature, I can strongly recommend this crazy, poetic, twisted, funny, unexpected tale of a mysterious literature society surrounded by deadly secrets... 

Lullaby by Leïla Slimani - In general, I would suggest you to make yourself familiar with the work of Leïla Slimani, a Franco-Moroccan journalist and writer (you can start by reading this article). Her award-winning novel about a killer-nanny has raised many questions when it comes to working mothers, immigration, feeling-at-home and fitting in. 

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk - The winner of the Man Booker International Prize from 2018 combines human anatomy, death, motion, loss, migration, Chopin's heart, and many airports. Do not read this book as one linear narrative, but rather as many seemingly unrelated stories which, when combined together, reveal the narrative of human lives as such. 

Innocence by Roald Dahl - I cannot say that this title has had the same impact on me such as Half of a Yellow Sun, for example. But it made me fall in love with Dahl and his wonderful writing all over again. This collection of short stories as well as reflections on the writer's dreamy, yet sometimes rather cruel childhood helps you slow down and just enjoy the very act of reading. 

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - I love everything about this woman - her work, her activism as well as activity on global scale. As much as I loved her Americanah, this one depicts even more tender story of human relationships, bonds, suffering, love, sacrifice and compassion. Set amongst the horror of Nigeria's civil war, you will devour Adichie's writing and ability to create such a complex, addictive narrative. 

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot - It took me a while to fall in love with Liptrot's storytelling. But her personal contemplation of her years of being an alcoholic in order to consequently be abstinent from alcohol on a remote Scottish island will eventually simply pull you in. A rare piece of brutal honesty when sharing your own life story.