If Cities Were Books: The Bombay Circle Press Recommendation

Have you ever wondered if your favourite city’s vibe could be wrapped up in between pages, what will that book say? Will it be a romance or a slice of life? Every Indian city has a unique aura that you can maybe relate with books. This is The Bombay Circle Press’ attempt seeing which of these novels fit these cities the best. 

City – Dehradun

No other writer has been in love with the mountains of Uttarakhand like Ruskin Bond. May it be decades ago, or the modern day bustling city, the magic that Bond captured still somewhere lingers in the air. Captivating every reader with its scent. This coming-of-age novel introduced Bond’s most beloved character, Rusty, who is orphaned at a young age and explores life on his own. Accompanied with mountains, and fleeting companions, this story spreads a warm feeling in your chest, just like a cup of coffee in the winter mornings. Rusty roams the small town, living off of favours from friends and kindness from strangers. He discovers every quintessential small town quirk, the small town market has to offer. 

City – Seoul

Dating a K-pop idol is a sweet hell…They are always away on tour, busy with their schedules, have no privacy and far too many ridiculous scandals. But they are also irresistible. Take a peek into their lives as they manage insane fame, busy schedules, constant travel, zero personal space and, most importantly, love. Young, dumb and definitely not broke, navigating the K-pop culture tests the strongest of the relationships and brings unseen twists and turns. Is love in their fates, or they will have to fight for it?

City – Mumbai 

Young or old, married or single, religious or agnostic, Mumbai has a place for everyone. The city that harbors everyone’s aspirations and gives them home, also is the center of heartbreak, loss and grief. Ordinary lives that seem extraordinary through the lenses of the characters, this beautifully written novel explores the lives and the complexities that it brings upon each of them. With love slipping between the cracks, Bombay Balchão highlights the duality Mumbai is famous for. Lives of the characters are shaped by the culture, history and laughter that lingers in the day-to-day lives of the citizens of this mayanagri. 

City – Los Angeles

Rosa Álvarez leads two lives. One is deceptively normal. A respectable physiotherapist living in Los Angeles: the city of fish tacos and famous bigwigs. She works hard at her job, loves living the single life, and has a trip home to Mexico at the very top of her priority list.

The other is her mother’s worst nightmare. For one, the first is a lie. She does love her job, but its uniqueness would put any good chick flick to shame. She hasn’t been on a date in five years, at least, not any good ones. 

But when a notorious man from her past shows up in LA, Rosa’s secret life starts unravelling. There’s also the matter of the really annoying actor (who just so happens to be annoyingly good-looking) she keeps bumping into whom she cannot seem to shake off.

Stay tuned at The Bombay Circle Press’ bulletin for more such vivid reads, handpicked especially for you.