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Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

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Forcing children to go to school is not a new phenomenon. Be it first grade or final year, it’s a tradition that never fades. But why are parents always pushing their children to go to school? And why are children so often reluctant to go? The same applies to adults too - be it college or the workplace.  This happens because the environment they expect and the environment they are placed in are completely different. But what if reality met expectation? What if school was a place children loved to go and never wanted to leave early? What if they eagerly looked forward to sunrise so they could head off to school? Can you imagine such a situation? What if I told you that such a dream school once existed? Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi is a memoir that recounts the childhood, especially the schooling experience - of a little girl named Totto-Chan at a school called Tomoe. Tetsuko is Totto-Chan’s real name, and in this book, she recollects her ear...
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The boy in the striped pyjamas

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The boy in the striped pyjamas written by John Boyne is a profoundly moving novel that explores innocence, friendship, and the quiet consequences of history's darkest moments. Bruno was a 9-year-old boy who stayed in Berlin with his father, mother, his elder sister Gretel, accompanied by home maids Lars and Maria. One day, when he was returning home from school, he found Maria (his house maid) packing his things in a suitcase. He was shocked and asked his mother, “What’s happening here?” Where are we going?” His mother said that his father got a promotion, and they need to move to a new place for his job. Bruno was terribly sad about leaving Berlin. He worried that he would not be able to play with his friends Karl, Martin and Daniel. Also, he missed his home at Berlin. It was a big house with five floors and from the top floor, he could see the entire Berlin. The new house was very far from Berlin, and it was located in a deserted place. Bruno worried that he will not be able ...
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Tuesdays with Morrie

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Morrie, a beloved sociology professor from Brandeis University, is diagnosed with an incurable disease called ALS, a rare neurodegenerative condition. But instead of succumbing to self-pity, Morrie chooses to embrace life with open arms. As his body slowly deteriorates, his spirit only grows stronger. He finds beauty in the simplest of things and becomes even more optimistic about life. Determined to help others facing similar struggles, Morrie begins sharing his insights to ease the mental burden of those suffering. His story catches the public eye when he is interviewed on the popular American TV show Nightline. The episode becomes a hit, and Morrie’s warmth and wisdom touch millions. Among those moved is Mitch Albom, one of Morrie’s former students, who is shocked to see his beloved professor after so many years—and even more surprised by Morrie's unwavering positivity. Overcome with emotion, Mitch rushes to reconnect. During his time at Brandeis, Morrie was more than just a...
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Reasons to Stay Alive

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Who better to write about depression than someone who has experienced it firsthand? In Reasons to Stay Alive , Matt Haig shares his deeply personal story of battling depression and anxiety, and how he slowly found his way out of it. The book begins at a harrowing moment — Matt standing on the edge of a cliff, contemplating suicide. But he turns back. That single act of stepping away becomes the start of a long journey toward healing. He lived with his girlfriend, Andrea, and had a supportive family — his parents and sister lived in another town. Yet even their love could not immediately pull him out of the darkness he was engulfed in. Matt explains how depression is often misunderstood and dismissed by others. While he tried medication, it offered only temporary relief. He describes how his suffering didn’t just impact him — it also deeply affected those around him. In one particularly moving moment, when his parents visited, he tried to act normal. But when his father gently squ...
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