Paris bookstore Ici Librairie redrew its floor plan as it reopened on Monday (May 11) after France lifted strict lockdown measures in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Paris bookstore reopens after lockdown, stacking alcohol gel next to bestsellers

British author J. K. Rowling is hoping her much-loved Harry Potter series will work its magic on bored children stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Harry Pottering around at home? Rowling to rescue bored kids in lockdown

British novelist Hilary Mantel unveiled the final instalment on Wednesday (March 4) of her Tudor trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son who rose to be King Henry VIII's most powerful adviser only to fall from grace and meet a gruesome end.

Hilary Mantel unveils final volume in award-winning Thomas Cromwell trilogy

<p>Authors often take inspiration from the world around them to weave a story that will resonate with all kinds of readers. 2016 was especially full of events that can feed a full blown motion picture.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you are still looking for stories that will compel you to stop doing your work and pick up a book, then do we have a compilation for you. These books go beyond your average storytelling and talk about serious, debatable issues we face.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Get ready to be absorbed in new age plots that deal with themes you ignore or take for granted otherwise:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World&#39;s Largest Refugee Camp</em>&nbsp;</h2>

<p><em>Author: Ben Rawlence</em></p>

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<p>City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World&#39;s Largest Refugee Camp (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>This book took shape in the world&rsquo;s largest refugee camp, Dadaab, in northern Kenya, which is home to as many as 600,000 people. The author spent five months as a former researcher for Human Rights Watch in the area and talks about war, the European refugee crisis, and corruption in the developing world while keeping the focus on Dadaab.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>Evicted&nbsp;</em></h2>

<p><em>Author: Matthew Desmond</em></p>

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<p>Evicted (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The author moved to a trailer park in Milwaukee in 2008 to begin gathering stories of eviction. In the book, he follows eight families struggling with their lives while managing money and housing. While empathising, the story deals with the issue of housing crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><i>I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life</i></h2>

<p><i>Author: Ed Yong&nbsp;</i></p>

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<p>I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The book is based on extensive research and talks about the surprising role that microbes play across a range of species, from altering how chemicals are processed to zombie mind control.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><i>Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games</i></h2>

<p><i>Author: Ian Bogost&nbsp;</i></p>

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<p>Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>2016 saw many books from the genre &lsquo;Tackle life&rsquo;s challenges like a game,&rsquo; but this book goes even deeper. As a philosopher and game enthusiast, Ian Bogost&rsquo;s book will make you think really hard about how to lead your life to score the best.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>Shrill&nbsp;</em></h2>

<p><em>Author: Lindy West</em></p>

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<p>Shrill (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>As a young feminist, the author speaks out against fat-shaming, periods and rape jokes. She chases Internet trolls that have been stalking her and brings together a couple of stories that showcase why women must raise their voices against everything they don&rsquo;t like.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>The White Donkey</em></h2>

<p><em>Author: Maximilian Uriarte</em></p>

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<p>The White Donkey (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The book can be seen as a serious and involved graphic novel, which is based on his 2007 deployment in Iraq. It was initially self-published with a Kickstarter campaign that raised eight times its original goal. Later, the book was released to a much wider audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>The Underground Railroad</em></h2>

<p><em>Author:&nbsp;Colson Whitehead</em></p>

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<p>The Underground Railroad (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>This is a book that took 16 years of writing. It follows the story of a young woman who escaped slavery via an imaginary railroad that brings her to a different, imperfect version of America. The book according to the author is a salient reckoning of what it means, has meant and continues to mean to be black in America.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves </em></h2>

<p><em>Author: Charles Fernyhough</em></p>

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<p>The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The inner voice is a debatable topic and the book takes a different route to start a discussion around it. A psychologist and a novelist himself, the author offers an establishing ground for the topic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><i>The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It&hellip;Every Time</i></h2>

<p><i>Author: Maria Konnikova&nbsp;</i></p>

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<p>The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It&hellip;Every Time (Facebook)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>We often get fooled by the same con the world throws at us. The book delves into the backstory of our gullibility. The book explores how cons work and why we fall for them. It is a deconstruction of psychological dynamics, tactics, ploys and susceptibilities illuminated by an excellent communicator.</p>

<p>(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)</p>


Gripping narratives, tightly woven plots and a whole lot of food for thought. These are 2016's most intriguing and unconventional books.

Authors often take inspiration from the world around them to weave a story that will resonate with all kinds of readers. 2016 was especially full of events that can feed a full blown motion picture. If you are still looking for stories that will compel you to stop doing your work and pick up a book, then do we have a compilation for you. These books go beyond your average storytelling and talk about serious, debatable issues we face. Get ready to be absorbed in new age plots that deal with themes you ignore or take for granted otherwise: City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World's Largest Refugee Camp Author: Ben Rawlence City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World's Largest Refugee Camp (Facebook) × This book took shape in the world’s largest refugee camp, Dadaab, in northern Kenya, which is home to as many as 600,000 people. The author spent five months as a former researcher for Human Rights Watch in the area and talks about war, the European refugee crisis, and corruption in the developing world while keeping the focus on Dadaab. Evicted Author: Matthew Desmond Evicted (Facebook) × The author moved to a trailer park in Milwaukee in 2008 to begin gathering stories of eviction. In the book, he follows eight families struggling with their lives while managing money and housing. While empathising, the story deals with the issue of housing crisis. I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life Author: Ed Yong I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life (Facebook) × The book is based on extensive research and talks about the surprising role that microbes play across a range of species, from altering how chemicals are processed to zombie mind control. Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games Author: Ian Bogost Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games (Facebook) × 2016 saw many books from the genre ‘Tackle life’s challenges like a game,’ but this book goes even deeper. As a philosopher and game enthusiast, Ian Bogost’s book will make you think really hard about how to lead your life to score the best. Shrill Author: Lindy West Shrill (Facebook) × As a young feminist, the author speaks out against fat-shaming, periods and rape jokes. She chases Internet trolls that have been stalking her and brings together a couple of stories that showcase why women must raise their voices against everything they don’t like. The White Donkey Author: Maximilian Uriarte The White Donkey (Facebook) × The book can be seen as a serious and involved graphic novel, which is based on his 2007 deployment in Iraq. It was initially self-published with a Kickstarter campaign that raised eight times its original goal. Later, the book was released to a much wider audience. The Underground Railroad Author: Colson Whitehead The Underground Railroad (Facebook) × This is a book that took 16 years of writing. It follows the story of a young woman who escaped slavery via an imaginary railroad that brings her to a different, imperfect version of America. The book according to the author is a salient reckoning of what it means, has meant and continues to mean to be black in America. The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves Author: Charles Fernyhough The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves (Facebook) × The inner voice is a debatable topic and the book takes a different route to start a discussion around it. A psychologist and a novelist himself, the author offers an establishing ground for the topic. The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It…Every Time Author: Maria Konnikova The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It…Every Time (Facebook) × We often get fooled by the same con the world throws at us. The book delves into the backstory of our gullibility. The book explores how cons work and why we fall for them. It is a deconstruction of psychological dynamics, tactics, ploys and susceptibilities illuminated by an excellent communicator. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

These books of 2016 talk about issues that matter!

<p>It is said that science fiction is about making the improbable seem possible. Writers of the genre postulate a world of the future. And while some of their ideas can end up remaining a fantasy, there are a number of times when their predictions have been right on the money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here&rsquo;s 9&nbsp;times sci-fi writers were spot-on about technological advancements:&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Debit/Credit Cards</h2>

<p>When Edward Bellamy wrote Looking Backward in 1888, people only relied on paper money. His book introduced the concept of universal credit where citizens of his future utopia carried a card that allowed them to spend on goods and services without paper money changing hands. The book was a huge success.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://wion.azureedge.net/photos/books_1-20161212084822.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Earphones</h2>

<p>When Ray Bradbury published his dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451 in 1953, portable audio already existed, but the headphones were ungainly and heavy. In his book, he talked about &ldquo;little seashells&hellip; thimble radios&rdquo; that brought an &ldquo;electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk&rdquo;. Who would have then imagined that one day devices like in-ear earphones would become an integral part of people&rsquo;s daily lives.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://wion.azureedge.net/photos/books_6-20161212085416.jpg" />
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<p>Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Electric Cars, Violence And Hookup Culture</h2>

<p>John Brunner&rsquo;s Stand On Zanzibar was another piece of literature that was way ahead of its time. Published in 1969, his book painted a world that we are all too familiar with today: America plagued by random acts of violence like school shootings and terrorist attacks, cars powered by rechargeable electric fuel cells, men and women eschewing marriage for short-term and low commitment hookups. What was he thinking?&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Stand On Zanzibar by John Brunner (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Geostationary Satellite Communications</h2>

<p>In 1945, a pioneering science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke wrote a manuscript called The Space-Station: Its Radio Applications. He introduced for the first time, geosynchronous satellites being used for telecommunications relays and most importantly for television signals. Imagine a world without our televisions and scores of channels.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The Space-Station: Its Radio Applications by Arthur C. Clarke (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Moon Landing</h2>

<p>Jules Verne wrote From The Earth To The Moon and predicted many aspects of the 1969 manned lunar landing of Apollo 11. Verne&rsquo;s astronauts were launched from a Florida site in an aluminium capsule. In the book, he even gave accurate calculations as to the amount of force that would be needed to propel the rocket out of Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere. We have gone much beyond the Moon now!</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>From The Earth To The Moon by Jules Verne (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Nuclear Weapon</h2>

<p>Robert Heinlein&rsquo;s 1940 short story Solution Unsatisfactory predicted a future world where America develops an atomic weapon that ends World War II unilaterally. After they use it, it spurs the rest of the world into a nuclear arms race to keep up. The story was written even before the United States entered World War II and five years before the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.&nbsp;</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Solution Unsatisfactory by Robert Heinlein (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Security Cameras</h2>

<p>George Orwell wrote the book 1984 in 1949. In it, he spoke about the concept of a dystopian state monitored by an interconnected web of security cameras. It seemed absurd back then, but it is a reality now with round-the-clock security surveillance, cameras in both public and private spaces, GPS tracking and online tracking by government agencies. Orwell wrote about it all in his book.&nbsp;</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>1984 by George Orwell (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Tanks</h2>

<p>H.G. Wells wrote the story The Land Ironclads which was published in the Strand Magazine in 1903. His story took the then-current technology of metal-hulled warships and put them on land, creating war machines- tanks. Wells&rsquo;s conceptualised modern day tanks were approximately 100 feet long and rolled on eight pairs of wheels, each of which had its own independent turning axle. A tower in the top of the machine let the captain survey the scene. In reality, the first tanks were deployed on the battlefield in 1916 during the battle of the Somme.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>The Land Ironclads by H.G. Wells (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Video Chat</h2>

<p>The first demonstration of consumer video conferencing was in the form of &lsquo;picturephone&rsquo; at the 1964 New York World&rsquo;s Fair. The technology has now come a long way with FaceTime and Skype becoming the standard means of long-distance communication. But all of this traces back to Hugo Gernsback&rsquo;s novel Ralph 124c 41+. The story was first printed in Modern Electrics magazine in 1911. It spoke about a device called the &ldquo;telephot&rdquo; that let people have eye contact while speaking across long distances.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Ralph 124c 41+ by Hugo Gernsback (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)</p>


Paperless money, security cameras, nuclear weapons and more just stepped out of a book into our reality

It is said that science fiction is about making the improbable seem possible. Writers of the genre postulate a world of the future. And while some of their ideas can end up remaining a fantasy, there are a number of times when their predictions have been right on the money. Here’s 9 times sci-fi writers were spot-on about technological advancements: Debit/Credit Cards When Edward Bellamy wrote Looking Backward in 1888, people only relied on paper money. His book introduced the concept of universal credit where citizens of his future utopia carried a card that allowed them to spend on goods and services without paper money changing hands. The book was a huge success. Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy (WION) × Earphones When Ray Bradbury published his dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451 in 1953, portable audio already existed, but the headphones were ungainly and heavy. In his book, he talked about “little seashells… thimble radios” that brought an “electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk”. Who would have then imagined that one day devices like in-ear earphones would become an integral part of people’s daily lives. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (WION) × Electric Cars, Violence And Hookup Culture John Brunner’s Stand On Zanzibar was another piece of literature that was way ahead of its time. Published in 1969, his book painted a world that we are all too familiar with today: America plagued by random acts of violence like school shootings and terrorist attacks, cars powered by rechargeable electric fuel cells, men and women eschewing marriage for short-term and low commitment hookups. What was he thinking? Stand On Zanzibar by John Brunner (WION) × Geostationary Satellite Communications In 1945, a pioneering science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke wrote a manuscript called The Space-Station: Its Radio Applications. He introduced for the first time, geosynchronous satellites being used for telecommunications relays and most importantly for television signals. Imagine a world without our televisions and scores of channels. The Space-Station: Its Radio Applications by Arthur C. Clarke (WION) × Moon Landing Jules Verne wrote From The Earth To The Moon and predicted many aspects of the 1969 manned lunar landing of Apollo 11. Verne’s astronauts were launched from a Florida site in an aluminium capsule. In the book, he even gave accurate calculations as to the amount of force that would be needed to propel the rocket out of Earth’s atmosphere. We have gone much beyond the Moon now! From The Earth To The Moon by Jules Verne (WION) × Nuclear Weapon Robert Heinlein’s 1940 short story Solution Unsatisfactory predicted a future world where America develops an atomic weapon that ends World War II unilaterally. After they use it, it spurs the rest of the world into a nuclear arms race to keep up. The story was written even before the United States entered World War II and five years before the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Solution Unsatisfactory by Robert Heinlein (WION) × Security Cameras George Orwell wrote the book 1984 in 1949. In it, he spoke about the concept of a dystopian state monitored by an interconnected web of security cameras. It seemed absurd back then, but it is a reality now with round-the-clock security surveillance, cameras in both public and private spaces, GPS tracking and online tracking by government agencies. Orwell wrote about it all in his book. 1984 by George Orwell (WION) × Tanks H.G. Wells wrote the story The Land Ironclads which was published in the Strand Magazine in 1903. His story took the then-current technology of metal-hulled warships and put them on land, creating war machines- tanks. Wells’s conceptualised modern day tanks were approximately 100 feet long and rolled on eight pairs of wheels, each of which had its own independent turning axle. A tower in the top of the machine let the captain survey the scene. In reality, the first tanks were deployed on the battlefield in 1916 during the battle of the Somme. The Land Ironclads by H.G. Wells (WION) × Video Chat The first demonstration of consumer video conferencing was in the form of ‘picturephone’ at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The technology has now come a long way with FaceTime and Skype becoming the standard means of long-distance communication. But all of this traces back to Hugo Gernsback’s novel Ralph 124c 41+. The story was first printed in Modern Electrics magazine in 1911. It spoke about a device called the “telephot” that let people have eye contact while speaking across long distances. Ralph 124c 41+ by Hugo Gernsback (WION) × (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

9 predictions by science-fiction writers that actually came true

DONT PUBLISH. CHANGES REQUIRED<br />
<br />
Cant be used with World Literacy Day tag. It&#39;s not World Literature Day. But it&#39;s a good idea. One we can put together as a list for weekend reading every week.<br />
<br />
Take out the names in the images. May be each person suggesting a book can give a para on why they like this book. And it should be about the book, their personal impressions of it, and if possible, what difference it made to their lives (Books can change lives, give shape and sense to the muddle of our thoughts).<br />
<br />
The names should be carried with correct designations in the captions.<br />
<br />
Anuradha<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TEXT starts<br />
<br />
As the world celebrates the 50th International Literacy Day under the banner &ldquo;Reading the Past, Writing the Future&rdquo;,&nbsp;here&#39;s a sneak peek into what WION loves to read.<br />
<br />
<strong>1. The Bell Jar</strong><br />
<br />
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: I read this book because someone told me that this is a book that every modern woman must read.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter-20160908105207.png" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<br />
<strong>2.&nbsp;Angela&#39;s Ashes</strong><br />
<br />
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: It&rsquo;s a riveting read that takes you from Brooklyn, New York to Limerick, Ireland, all through the perspective of a young Catholic boy grappling with poverty, religion and a complicated family dynamic.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(1)-20160908105639.png" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>3.&nbsp;The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time</strong><br />
<br />
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: The book is written from the point of view of an autistic boy, Christopher, &nbsp;who sets out to investigate the death of a dog that he discovers in his home&#39;s backyard. The book is heartbreakingly tender and realistic without being overly cute. Also, there are illustrations and diagrams which make the read all the more compelling.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/the%20curious%20incident-20160908121440.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<br />
<strong>4.&nbsp;West of Kabul, East of New York</strong><br />
<br />
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: This book gives one a great sense of the culture of the east and the west. It&rsquo;s a marriage of the two worlds.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(2)-20160908105505.png" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>5.&nbsp;Blindness&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: Every time you read this book, there will be a different facet to discover. The metaphors and non-conformative narrative set this novel apart.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(9)-20160908121822.png" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<br />
<strong>6.&nbsp;The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie &nbsp;Society?</strong><br />
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Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: It is difficult to explain this book. It&rsquo;s an experience which leaves one searching for something similar.<br />
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<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(6)-20160908122128.png" />
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<strong>7.&nbsp;Neapolitan Novels</strong><br />
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Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: It is a series of four books that takes you through the historical journey starting from second world war through intense human experiences.<br />
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<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(3)-20160908113907.png" />
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<strong>8.&nbsp;Murakami</strong><br />
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Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it: Fascinating modern day author, riveting content and dynamic characters are enough to keep you hooked to the book.<br />
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<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(4)-20160908114245.png" />
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<strong>9.&nbsp;The Forty Rules of Love</strong><br />
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Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it:&nbsp;The book talks of the platonic relationship between the famous Sufi poet Rumi and a darvesh called Shams of Tabraiz. It chronicles the journey of Rumi giving up his life as a renowned Islamic scholar and becoming a mystical poet, influenced by the company of Tabraiz.<br />
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<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/forty%20rules%20of%20love-20160908121544.png" />
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<strong>10.&nbsp;The Cinderella Complex&nbsp;</strong><br />
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Why you shouldn&rsquo;t miss it:&nbsp;It&#39;s a book every girl/woman should read. This book talks about the dependency and unrealistic expectations girls develop living in this world.<br />
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<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/book-%20the%20bell%20jarauthor-%20sylvia%20plathgenre-%20contemporary%20american%20english%20literaturesuggested%20by-%20ankita%20panda,%20reporter%20(8)-20160908114107.png" />
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Contributions by Kandarp Rustogi &amp; Ashna Mishra<br />
<br />
(WION Edge)<br />
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"I think stories can grow out of the visual. It can be an engine for literacy" ? Chris Riddell, illustrator

DONT PUBLISH. CHANGES REQUIRED Cant be used with World Literacy Day tag. It's not World Literature Day. But it's a good idea. One we can put together as a list for weekend reading every week. Take out the names in the images. May be each person suggesting a book can give a para on why they like this book. And it should be about the book, their personal impressions of it, and if possible, what difference it made to their lives (Books can change lives, give shape and sense to the muddle of our thoughts). The names should be carried with correct designations in the captions. Anuradha TEXT starts As the world celebrates the 50th International Literacy Day under the banner “Reading the Past, Writing the Future”, here's a sneak peek into what WION loves to read. 1. The Bell Jar Why you shouldn’t miss it: I read this book because someone told me that this is a book that every modern woman must read. 2. Angela's Ashes Why you shouldn’t miss it: It’s a riveting read that takes you from Brooklyn, New York to Limerick, Ireland, all through the perspective of a young Catholic boy grappling with poverty, religion and a complicated family dynamic. 3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time Why you shouldn’t miss it: The book is written from the point of view of an autistic boy, Christopher, who sets out to investigate the death of a dog that he discovers in his home's backyard. The book is heartbreakingly tender and realistic without being overly cute. Also, there are illustrations and diagrams which make the read all the more compelling. 4. West of Kabul, East of New York Why you shouldn’t miss it: This book gives one a great sense of the culture of the east and the west. It’s a marriage of the two worlds. 5. Blindness Why you shouldn’t miss it: Every time you read this book, there will be a different facet to discover. The metaphors and non-conformative narrative set this novel apart. 6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? Why you shouldn’t miss it: It is difficult to explain this book. It’s an experience which leaves one searching for something similar. 7. Neapolitan Novels Why you shouldn’t miss it: It is a series of four books that takes you through the historical journey starting from second world war through intense human experiences. 8. Murakami Why you shouldn’t miss it: Fascinating modern day author, riveting content and dynamic characters are enough to keep you hooked to the book. 9. The Forty Rules of Love Why you shouldn’t miss it: The book talks of the platonic relationship between the famous Sufi poet Rumi and a darvesh called Shams of Tabraiz. It chronicles the journey of Rumi giving up his life as a renowned Islamic scholar and becoming a mystical poet, influenced by the company of Tabraiz. 10. The Cinderella Complex Why you shouldn’t miss it: It's a book every girl/woman should read. This book talks about the dependency and unrealistic expectations girls develop living in this world. Contributions by Kandarp Rustogi & Ashna Mishra (WION Edge)

World Literacy Day: Here are some books you wouldn't wanna miss

Britain&#39;s beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screens, this time with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway smash-hit &quot;Hamilton,&quot; as her sidekick, Walt Disney Co&nbsp;said on Tuesday.<br />
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&quot;Mary Poppins Returns,&quot; a sequel to the 1964 classic film &quot;Mary Poppins,&quot; is scheduled for release in theatres on Christmas Day 2018 and will star British actress Blunt in the titular role made famous by Julie Andrews.&nbsp;<br />
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Miranda, who recently won a Pulitzer Prize for creating and starring in Broadway`s historical, hip-hop musical &quot;Hamilton,&quot; will play a new character named Jack, a street lamplighter.<br />
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&quot;Mary Poppins,&quot; the movie based on the popular children`s books by author P.L. Travers, followed a magical flying British nanny as she improved the lives of the unhappy Banks family with the aid of chirpy Cockney chimneysweep Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke.<br />
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The new film will be set in Depression-era London, the setting of Travers` stories, and will see Mary Poppins return to the now grownup Jane Banks, Michael Banks and his three children after they suffer a personal loss, Disney said.&nbsp;<br />
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&quot;Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives,&quot; the studio said.<br />
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The studio did not say in its statement whether Andrews, now 80, or Van Dyke, 90, will appear in any capacity and representatives for the actors did not immediately respond to Reuters` request for comment.<br />
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&quot;Mary Poppins Returns&quot; is the latest in a slate of reboots from Disney, which last year remade animated fairytale &quot;Cinderella&quot; into a live action film. Disney will also release the live action &quot;Beauty and the Beast,&quot; starring Emma Watson, next year.<br />
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The studio also owns George Lucas` &quot;Star Wars&quot; science-fiction adventure franchise and the Marvel superhero franchise.

Britain's beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screen, this time beside Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of Broadway smash-hit "Hamilton".

Britain's beloved cinematic singing nanny Mary Poppins will once again grace the big screens, this time with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway smash-hit "Hamilton," as her sidekick, Walt Disney Co said on Tuesday. "Mary Poppins Returns," a sequel to the 1964 classic film "Mary Poppins," is scheduled for release in theatres on Christmas Day 2018 and will star British actress Blunt in the titular role made famous by Julie Andrews. Miranda, who recently won a Pulitzer Prize for creating and starring in Broadway`s historical, hip-hop musical "Hamilton," will play a new character named Jack, a street lamplighter. "Mary Poppins," the movie based on the popular children`s books by author P.L. Travers, followed a magical flying British nanny as she improved the lives of the unhappy Banks family with the aid of chirpy Cockney chimneysweep Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke. The new film will be set in Depression-era London, the setting of Travers` stories, and will see Mary Poppins return to the now grownup Jane Banks, Michael Banks and his three children after they suffer a personal loss, Disney said. "Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives," the studio said. The studio did not say in its statement whether Andrews, now 80, or Van Dyke, 90, will appear in any capacity and representatives for the actors did not immediately respond to Reuters` request for comment. "Mary Poppins Returns" is the latest in a slate of reboots from Disney, which last year remade animated fairytale "Cinderella" into a live action film. Disney will also release the live action "Beauty and the Beast," starring Emma Watson, next year. The studio also owns George Lucas` "Star Wars" science-fiction adventure franchise and the Marvel superhero franchise.

''Mary Poppins Returns'' with Blunt, ''Hamilton'' star Miranda

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