Fiction, non-fiction: Why I read what I read

Image source: Pixabay

I have always enjoyed fiction. Yet it feels like ages since I last read a novel, to the point that I am embarrassingly out of touch with the latest authors.

The writers who come to my mind are Arthur Hailey, Stephen King, John Grisham, Somerset Maugham, Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Hardy, and Indian authors such as Anita Desai, Kamala Das, Shashi Deshpande, R K Narayan, Ruskin Bond, etc.

One of the more recent novelists I read was Paula Hawkins, whose The Girl on the Train I found quite engaging.

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE

One reason my fiction reading has reduced over the years is my preoccupation with work, which has largely revolved around real-life events, people, and issues. Naturally, my inclination shifted to reading non-fiction books or watching programmes related to current events or history which provide a context for understanding the present.

What I enjoy most about non-fiction -- like travelogues, biographies, books on contemporary or historical issues -- is its immediate relevance. It adds to my general knowledge and often helps in work-related situations. Whether it’s a book, an article, or a documentary, I value what it teaches me about the world around us.

LEARNING THROUGH FICTION

Fictional stories are often read for relaxation or entertainment. But good fiction can also educate. Though the plot itself might be imaginary, the details through which it unfolds are often grounded in fact.

Take Arthur Hailey, for instance. His novels are among my favourites because he researched extensively before writing. Each of his books is set in a different industry. For example, cars, tourism, finance, media, medicine, and so on. His stories are not only entertaining but also informative, giving readers insights into how different industries operate.

This is what makes storytelling so powerful: even when the theme or plot is fictional, it illuminates the real world.

STORYTELLING: THE COMMON THREAD

Whether fiction or non-fiction, storytelling lies at the heart of it. After all, both forms narrate something that has happened, or could have happened.

That’s why news reports are also called “stories” in journalistic parlance, though they are based on real-life events. Storytelling, in any form, aims to inform, educate, and / or entertain.

Image source: Pixabay

WHAT MAKES ME PICK A BOOK

If I am familiar with the work of a particular author, that makes choosing the book easier. But if it’s the first book, then I tend to be a bit sceptical.

For me, the plot or the theme should be appealing, something that I can relate to. Even if the plot is unreal, really far removed from reality, I should still be able to connect with it at some level. 

However, what matters to me the most is the clarity of narration. Even if the plot is really good, if I am not able to understand the way the story is told, I tend to lose interest. In a crime thriller, for example, one might not even understand what is happening, but if the language is clear and impactful, that’s enough to keep me turning the pages.

THERE IS NO TEMPLATE

Creative works don’t have a template. It’s very difficult to establish why a book or a movie has been liked by a lot of people. It’s difficult to define “a good plot or a good theme”. It’s a lot about emotions, how one relates to the central piece of work. Each person has their own preferences and inclinations.

It would be nice to know what your reading preferences are.

(This post is part of Blogchatter's Blogchatter Blog Hop)

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Real-world lessons from younger folks

Image credit: Pixabay

The other day, we visited a friend. They shared an interesting observation about travelling with their two grown-up children. 

"If the kids are with us, we have no problem finding a good restaurant or booking a hotel while touring," they said. "But without them, we just depend on tour operators. It's so difficult to figure out which places are good; all our time goes into research. These kids just look at their phones and find everything in a jiffy!"

That made me think about the capabilities of younger folks.

*** *** *** 

Another day, a neighbour dropped by. We were discussing social media, disinformation, misinformation, AI-generated videos and so on. 

She shared a story: "My 11-year-old son asked me a question. I had no clue. I then quickly Googled it on my phone and gave him the answer. His immediate reply was: 'You looked that up online. Are you sure what you're saying is correct?'"

The young boy was questioning the reliability of information, from a trusted adult! 

That was a pointer to the sort of digital literacy and critical thinking that people of my generation are still struggling with!

*** *** *** 

Image credit: Pixabay

A few months before my retirement in April, tenth-grade students from a well-known school in Bengaluru visited our media house. I was tasked with giving them a short talk about a typical day in the life of a journalist: how news is gathered, processed, and how the next day's newspaper is brought out.

After my presentation, I took questions from the students. Here are just two of the questions: 

"Why do news reports say 'according to a source'? Why don't you tell us who the source is?"

"I was watching news about the Ukraine war on TV. Isn't it risky for journalists to be in war zones? How do they manage to get there amid all the firing and shelling?"

I was left wondering if I am talking to 10-grade students or J-School students! 

The questions revealed not just curiosity, but also an understanding of journalism which took me by surprise.

DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT YOUTH

These examples run contrary to some common assumptions about the younger folks: that they lack understanding, they are disorganised, or they aren't ready for life's challenges. 

On the contrary, I think, there are a lot of things we can learn from them. 

Their curiosity, confidence, and ability to work around ever-evolving technology are quite remarkable. More importantly, they know new ways of doing things and they are determined to follow their passions.

NO EXPERIENCE? NO PROBLEM

We traditionally associate wisdom with experience. True, younger folks lack that. But they have plenty to make up for it.

Their engagement with technology is an eye-opener. 

The typical older generation response is often: "Oh! We managed perfectly well without these modern gadgets." 

As a senior citizen myself, I've had similar thoughts.

While that may be true, it's neither progressive nor positive. 

What strikes me most about younger minds is their curiosity and willingness to experiment without the baggage of the past.

Unlike my generation, they don't spend too much time planning. They begin with a rough sketch of their path forward, then tackle challenges, improvise, and course-correct in real-time.

QUESTIONING STATUS QUO

Even with traditional social norms, they look for newer methods. They have the conviction to prioritise convenience and adaptability over restrictive conformity.

A mother once told me about her teenage daughter's response to being asked to do housework: 

"Why are you only asking me? Why aren't you asking my brother to do the same?" 

The typical older generation argument is: "This is how it has always been done."

The younger generation responds: "Why should it still be done that way?" 

They don't just question; they often propose alternatives.

They're more conscious of equity (not just equality, which a college student once told me is outdated), as well as saving time, using resources efficiently, and achieving better outcomes.

REAL-TIME ADAPTATION

Young people are like natural innovators! 

Look at how they start YouTube channels with nothing but phone cameras, or launch philanthropic or community programmes through social media accounts. 

One example is Shraddha Jain who moved from coding (in information technology) to comedy. This is her YouTube channel.

As she says in this 2022 interview with ET Now's Brand Equity, it wasn’t an easy transformation at all.

 SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT YOUNGER FOLKS?

I don't think there's anything to worry. 

Just as we expected our previous generations to have faith in us when we were young, we need to pass the baton and place that same confidence in the next generation.

However, there is one legitimate concern. It is not about them. It is about us: the absence of enough good role models among elders.

Are we setting the right examples, at home and outside? What about public servants like politicians who are always in the public domain dominating news programmes? 

REAL TEACHERS

This post is part of
Blogchatter Blog Hop

Learning is a two-way process. 

While we focus on teaching young people about life, they're quietly showing us ways and means to live that many of us have forgotten or never developed.

They grow with their curiosity. They display honesty with their questions. This uncertain world finds a way forward with their adaptability.

While we wonder whether they are ready for the world, the moot question is: are we ready to learn from them?

Independence Day: What freedom means after 78 years

Today is the 78th anniversary of our Independence. There’s a celebratory air all around, with “freedom” at the heart of it.

In our apartment complex, we just had the hoisting of the national flag by a resident who was 10 years old on August 15, 1947. She recalled the excitement of those days, and said she didn’t know exactly what was meant by freedom. She exhorted all of us to unitedly work for the progress of our nation.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH FREEDOM

As we celebrate Independence Day 2025, it’s important to remember that we have enjoyed this liberty for a long time now. 

In the years immediately after 1947, the celebrations were all about “winning this freedom”. It made sense.

But, today, these celebrations should be about “what we have done with this freedom”.

THE PLUSES … 

Achievements? Plenty of them. 

We’ve grown over the decades and transformed as a nation.

We are no longer dependent on others for our survival. The extent of our dependence on other countries is only as much as we have to in today’s interconnected, multipolar world.

 …. AND THE MINUSES

Alongside the celebrations, we also need to figure out where we have fallen short, and what more needs to be done.

Sometimes, it feels as if for many people, freedom has come to mean freedom to disregard rules; the absence of a healthy fear of law is all too apparent at times.

While we sing paeans to those who made sacrifices, we need to ask ourselves, are we making (or at least willing to make) any sacrifices to build the nation the freedom struggle gave us?

WHAT FREEDOM MEANS TO ME

The right to vote, to express my opinion, or to question authority are all of course vital pillars of democracy, but they are not the full picture. 

This post is part of the weekly
Blogchatter Blog Hop 

True freedom, more realistically, is about our daily life. 

It is the ability to choose where I live, what work I do, the people I associate with, and the values I cherish -- without fear or coercion.

Freedom for me is also the liberty to decide how I spend my time, and the liberty to pursue my passions.

WHAT NOT TO DO

For me, freedom is also not just the liberty to do what I want; it is also about what I should not do. 

Because, freedom comes with responsibility.

Safeguarding our hard-won freedom calls for restraint, self-discipline, and respect for the common good.

When we disregard laws, exploit loopholes, or act without concern for others (we see a lot of these in our daily lives, just look around!) we only weaken the structure of our nation that protects our freedom.

There is true freedom only when people exercise that liberty responsibly. Or in other words, there is a need to balance personal desires with collective well-being.

Freedom is not measured by how much we can get away with. It is measured by how we behave in ways that strengthen, rather than erode, our values and systems that keep us free.

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