6 books we recommend this week

When you go to a book-store, it is often difficult to choose from the plethora of newly released books available. The following list should help when deciding what new books to buy.

Translating Myself and Others
Jhumpa Lahiri
Princeton University Press (2022)

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jhumpa Lahiri sits down and examines her growing identity as a translator and writer in two languages: English and Italian. She uses Ovid's myth of Echo and Narcissus from Metamorphosis to contrast writing and translating, and explores passages from Aristotle's Poetics to discuss writing styles and themes, like desire and freedom. Lahiri skilfully presents the challenges she had to undergo while translating her own work from Italian to English, answers why she chose to write in Italian, and shares the joys of translating the works of various writers from different points in time. 

The White Mosque: A Memoir
Sofia Samatar
Catapult (2022) 

The memoir covers Sofia Samatar's journey from Russia into Central Asia, throughout which she follows the trail of a group of German-speaking Mennonites in the late 19th century. In this fascinating journey, Samatar comes across historical figures whose lives have been shaped by the ancient Silk Road—from an astronomer-king of the 15th century to the first Uzbek photographer. Throughout the journey, the author also introspects her experiences of being raised as the daughter of a Swiss-Mennonite and a Somali-Muslim.

The Philosophy of Modern Song
Bob Dylan
Simon & Schuster (2022) 

Bob Dylan's first book after winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 consists of more than sixty essays in which he analyses the songs of different great artists, including the likes of Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra. Already tied up in controversy, the collection of essays which are precise and profound are really reflections on the human experience in relation to the world of music. 

Cinema Speculation
Quentin Tarantino
HarperCollins (2022) 

Being one of the most widely recognised filmmakers of our time, Quentin Tarantino is undoubtedly also a movie lover. In the book, he expresses his passion for filmmaking through his analysis of American films from the 1970s which he had first watched as a teenager. A book which compiles film criticism, theory, reporting, as well as personal perspectives, it is an insightful and entertaining trip into the mind of one of the greatest legends of the industry. 

Kalo Singho
Badal Syed
Baatighar (2022)

Badal Syed's new thriller is set in West Africa's Guinea Bissau which suddenly finds itself in the global limelight after Uranium is discovered in the country. This results in a conspiracy from different malicious entities across the globe to take over the country. However, the country's leader decides to retaliate, a Bangladeshi named Ashraf Hassan also gets involved in the incident. With multiple exciting subplots and an engaging climax, the book promises to keep the readers hooked during the chilly winter nights. 

Unsaid: An Asian Anthology
Anitha Devi Pillai
Penguin Random House (2022)

Containing 15 stories which are set in Asia, the book masterfully exposes the bareness of the human psyche as the writers discuss complex themes like the dynamics of pain and power, and the contrast between good and evil. From stories which deal with the occult beliefs found across parts of Asia to harrowing instances of abuse, the book takes you to the darker side of the art of storytelling and reveals Asia to you in a stark manner.

Hrishik is an intern at Daily Star Books and a contributor at SHOUT. Reach out to him at hrdibbo@gmail.com.