Post-SSC Reads: Books That Helped Me Navigate My Vacation

After I finished my SSC exams, I felt all my textbooks, notes, and past questions were staring at me. It was as if they were looking at me with the slightest mockery. Despite the regret I felt that I had not studied them with honest academic interest, the purpose of having to peruse these academic books gave me meaning. However, now that the exams were over, I realized that I had to replace those mundane books with more fascinating ones.

These books that I read that helped me through the post-SSC days in a more adventurous way.

CIRCE
Madeleine Miller
Petit, Brown and company (2018)

Circe, the daughter of Helios and the witch goddess, is known in Greek mythology for turning Odysseus’ crew into pigs. The book Circe is written in the Homeric narrative but focuses heavily on the female gaze and how differently stories will always be told by a man. Even though Odysseus plays a huge role in this story, the central driving force of the story is that Circe becomes his bigger self. We see her wondering what it means to be immortal, to be a nymph in a world ruled by gods, and what it means to simply live. Madeline Miller’s Circe is not a lonely heart desperate for connection in her isolation, but a multi-faceted character, with inner seams encompassing both dark and light. Her journey was unlike anything I had read before, and probably anything I would read again.

THE BELL
Sylvia Plath
Heineman (1963)

Sylvia Plath’s only novel The glass bell is full of dark truths, difficult subject matter and ironic dark humor. The story is about a woman named Esther, who moves to New York for an internship at a fashion magazine, while her mental health deteriorates in the process. She describes her depression as a suffocating feeling, like being in a bell jar. Plath’s poetic prowess shines through in his writings, especially in the descriptions, and we understand how excruciatingly personal his poetry was. The book is often considered a Roman key since the protagonist’s descent into mental illness parallels Plath’s own experiences. While reading, Esther made me an accomplice in her jokes and confidences, and made me understand her difficulties. Despite the darkness in which this book is shrouded, a sense of hope lingers even after completing this dark journey. I’m grateful for the story Plath shared and the destiny she forged for her character.

A STRANGER IN MY OWN COUNTRY: EASTERN PAKISTAN, 1969-1971
Khadim Hussein Raja
The University Press Limited (2012)

As Khadim Hussain Raja was East Pakistan’s second-in-command at the time, a biased but nuanced perspective on Bangladeshi independence is shown in his writings. The nonchalant manner in which he writes about the “neutralization” of political leaders, student hostels, resident teachers, cultural groups and the “disarmament” of East Bengal regiments, the EPR and the police, m seemed deplorable. Although he criticizes Pakistan’s military government, he glosses over the mess they have created while ruling the country and downplays the extent of their actions and impact. This book highlights a good amount of events and decisions at a higher level, but with few references to certain incidents in the streets. This left my blood boiling with rage.

FIRE AND BLOOD
George RR Martin
Bantam Books (2018)

With the recent release of the HBO series Dragon Houseit’s the perfect time to read fire and blood and really immerse yourself in the story. fire and blood details, as the title suggests, the history of the Targaryen kings; this first volume covers the period from the reign of Aegon the Conqueror to his sixth successor Aegon III, who sat on the Iron Throne 130 years after Aegon the Dragon and his sisters first set foot on Westerosi soil. There’s no doubt that author George Martin has an exceptional ability to construct a fantasy world that draws his readers in. During the three days I spent reading the book, I forgot that the outside world existed.

THE ANTHROPOCENE REVISED
Green Jeans
Penguin Random House (2021)

The anthropocene revisited is John Green’s latest book. This collection of essays addresses the world humans have inhabited for all these years, but in the context of the early days of the pandemic. This is why its reading resembles a historical document which is also very recent. Each of the essays takes an idea of ​​daily life, culture, society, and separates it and creates a place to discuss larger social issues. John Green has a great gift for approaching complex thoughts and ideas through everyday metaphors that we can all relate to.

Each of these books took me on a fascinating journey and made me question the seemingly monotonous aspects of life. Starting to read after so long allowed me to be part of something bigger than myself. Reading them gave me back the sense of purpose I had lost at the end of SSC.

Isra Kabir is a Daily Star Books contributor.