Written by Chetana Thakur

The world is going through a challenging time right now. In difficult times such as this, when we are engulfed in an unprecedented crisis, reading a good book can provide a bit of solace to our anxious minds. Reading momentarily transports us to a different world, a world untouched by the cruel clutches of reality. The pandemic has given us a lot of time for self-reflection. It has given us time – to look back at our long-lost hobbies and passions. Let’s utilize this time to pick up that unread book that has been sitting on the shelf for months… Let’s stay in our rooms and explore the world through reading.

We, bibliophiles, have our go-to genre, the genre which we are most comfortable reading. But then, sometimes we crave something different. A bit of change is necessary to add diversity to our lives. Are you wondering which book to pick up as your next read? Are you confused about which genre you should try next? Do not worry. BEE Books has got you covered! We are here with our collection of books from various genres.

1. Mystery/Thriller:

Are you looking for a juicy crime thriller or a murder mystery? Are Feluda, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple some of your favourite fictional characters? Then Mystery/Thriller is the genre for you! Here are your recommendations:

• Strange Death of Anindyasundar; by Anish Deb, translated by Arunava Sinha

A super interesting murder-mystery story, it is a short and gripping tale about Anindyasundar, a middle-aged man in his 50’s and an author by profession. The story begins with Anindyasundar waking up at a registration office only to realise that he has died and is now at the gateway to heaven.

Read the story to know more!

• Bloody Scotland

Bloody Scotland is a collection of twelve of Scotland’s best crime writers use the sinister side of the country’s built heritage in stories that are by turns gripping, chilling and redemptive.

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Crime; edited by Anish Deb

This anthology consists of 20 ace criminals involved in 20 mind-boggling fictional crimes penned by the Masters of the Game such as James Hilton, Arthur Conan Doyle, G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, Frederick Brown, Ross McDonald, and Stanley Ellin. It is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat while you enjoy your crime time.

2. Horror:

If you like reading spine-chilling tales full of horror and ghost stories, this is the genre for you!

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Horror; edited by Anish Deb

A score of horror stories by Great Masters of the Game like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, Lord Dunsany, Daphne du Maurier, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury and many others.

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Ghost; edited by Anish Deb

This anthology is sure to freeze your senses and make your blood run cold.

20 spine-chilling Ghost stories by the Masters of the Genre such as Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, Guy de Maupassant, Arthur Conan Doyle, A M Burrage.

3. Science Fiction:

Are you someone who loves reading about futuristic concepts, imaginative tales of time travel, space exploration and aliens? Here are some recommendations for you.

• The Green Menby Satyajit Ray, Dilip Roychowdhury, Adrish Bardhan, Premendra Mitra, translated by Arunava Sinha

One of the greatest and rare stories of science-fiction in the history of Bengali Literature, The Green Men is a never-before-published story penned by some of the greatest writers of the 20^th Century.

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Science Fiction; edited by Souvik Chakraborty

A collection of 20 mesmerizing Science Fiction tales by great authors such as Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Henry Kuttner, C. M. Kornbluth, Fredric Brown and John Wyndham.

4. Fantasy:

Do you love magical and supernatural elements that take you far away from the real world? If yes, then you’ll love the following books:

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Fantasy; edited by Souvik Chakraborty

This anthology is a must-read for all Fantasy fans out there. It includes 20 captivating tales penned by some of the finest practitioners in the field, including Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Rudyard Kipling, Lord Dunsany, Robert E.Howard, and C.L.Moore.

• Anthology of 20 Stories: Dark Fantasy; edited by Souvik Chakraborty

A collection of 20 dark fantasy tales by a score of the most influential writers in the history of the genre, including legends like Edgar Allan Poe, M. R. James, H. P. Lovecraft, Robert Bloch and Ray Bradbury.

5. Mythological Fiction:

Does tales from mythology fascinate you? Do you enjoy reading fantastic tales from the world of Ramayana, and Mahabharata? If you do, then check the following books out!

• The Last Few Days of the Blue God; by Sanjib Chattopadhyay, translated by Riddhi Maitra

The Last Few Days of the Blue God is Sanjib Chattopadhyay’s journalistic enquiry into the life of Lord Krishna tracing the key moments of the life of the Vishnu avatar as he walked on earth in various forms—the notorious child of Gokul and the mystic lover of Vrindavan, the slayer of Kansa, and the lord of Yadavas in Dvaraka, and finally the master diplomat who orchestrated the great war of Kurukshetra

• Exiled From Ayodhya; by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, translated by Pratiti

Mythology with a hint of reality is what makes this book a very interesting and refreshing read. It is a memoir of a travelling journalist tracing the path the exiled mythological hero had taken along with his wife and brother.

6. Romance:

Are you a sucker for sweet romantic tales? The following book is a must-read for you if you are interested in books on the theme of love:

• Tales to Tell: Romance

Tales to tell brings together sweet tales of romance by 25 authors and 25 illustrators. Each of the stories are written from different perspectives, all bound by the common strand of love.

• White Noise by Shruti Upadhaya

A short yet gripping read, Shruti Upadhaya’s White Noise is the perfect romance novel. This beautiful tale of love will keep you hooked till the very end.

• All Signs Lead Back to You by Aniesha Brahma

The story of Diya and Ashwin, told from alternating points of view, through a non-linear timeline, is a story about first love, second chances and All the Signs that lead them back to each other…

Do not forget to tell us about your favourite genre in the comment section below!