Kindness sounds like a fairly simple idea. Be thoughtful, show empathy, lend a hand, and perhaps try not to make someone else’s day harder than it already is. And yet, somewhere along the way, we’ve become a little too comfortable with judgement, indifference, and looking the other way. That’s why stories about kindness matter!
This World Kindness Day, The Bombay Circle Press brings you five books that explore the many ways kindness can shape our lives.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Wonder follows August Pullman, a young boy with a facial difference, as he navigates his first year at school. Having been homeschooled for most of his life, August must now deal with unfamiliar classrooms, curious stares, bullying, and the complicated business of making friends.
Through multiple perspectives, R. J. Palacio explores the realities of fitting in, the cruelty of casual judgement, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. At its heart, Wonder is a story about empathy, acceptance, and the courage it takes to be kind when being unkind would be easier.
The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
Set in a picturesque village in the hills of Garhwal, The Blue Umbrella follows Binya, a young girl whose beautiful blue umbrella catches everyone’s attention, including that of Ram Bharosa, a local shopkeeper who becomes increasingly envious of her prized possession.
What begins as a seemingly innocent fascination soon spirals into jealousy, resentment, and a rather unfortunate turn of events. But beneath its simple village setting, Ruskin Bond weaves a gentle story about generosity, forgiveness, and the joy of giving.
Through Binya’s experiences, the book reminds us that kindness is not about what we own or what we stand to gain, but about what we are willing to give away.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
Linus Baker is a caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, where his job involves inspecting orphanages housing extraordinary children. When he is sent to a particularly unusual island orphanage, he encounters six magical children, their mysterious caretaker Arthur Parnassus, and a world that challenges everything he has been taught to believe.
What follows is a heartwarming journey of unexpected friendships, found family, acceptance, and learning to look beyond the labels society places on people.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
We all know someone who complains about everything. But what if there’s a whole lot more to them than meets the eye?
Ove is a 59-year-old widower with a strict set of rules, an obsession with order, and very little patience for his neighbours. Following the loss of his wife, he has withdrawn into a life of routine and solitude. That is, until a rather chaotic family moves in next door and repeatedly disrupts his carefully organised existence.
As these unexpected encounters unfold, Ove’s gruff exterior begins to give way to something far more tender.
Deep Human: Practical Superskills for a Future of Success by Crystal Lim-Lange and Dr Gregor Lim-Lange
In a world obsessed with becoming faster, smarter, and more productive, perhaps we should spend a little more time learning how to be human.
Deep Human explores five essential skills for navigating an increasingly technology-driven world: mindfulness, self-awareness, empathy, communication, and resilience. Drawing on research, practical exercises, and real-world applications, Crystal Lim-Lange and Dr Gregor Lim-Lange make a case for developing the human capabilities that technology cannot simply replace.
Kindness shouldn’t be something we reserve for a particular day or a special occasion. And perhaps we could all do with a little less judgement, a little more empathy, and a reminder that the smallest gestures can leave the biggest impact. So, here’s to reading more stories that make us better humans, and carrying a little of the kindness from these recommendations by The Bombay Circle Press Bulletin beyond the pages.