November is truly the month of science and the celebration of children. We say so as National Science Day occurs on November 10 and the whole month is known for Children’s Day on November 14.

With these special days in tow, of course, we are here to recommend some cool sci-fi reads and engaging kid’s books! Read on for some lesser-known yet intriguing reads to spice up your bookshelf.

Sci-fi Madness

Science fiction is one of the most popular genres in high demand today. Several readers like putting their brains to the test with science concepts that are out of the box. It gives people a chance to let their creativity go wild while still reading intellectual content.

1. The Evil Days by Arya Narrayan

This is a cool book for beginners who are just getting into this genre. The book follows Kalki Narayan, a neuroscientist who is the only hope to save the world from the evil days. It is a dark time when humanity and spirituality are non-existent with no love or sense of security.

The connections between spirituality and the afterlife are impeccable as this book is full of twists and turns. The author has portrayed the beauty of reincarnation very well, as even the protagonist seems to be the Kalki avatar reborn.

2. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

One of the best sci-fi thrillers you will read which has simple science concepts you can follow. The book is massive with over 500 pages but you will fly through in no time! It follows the story of a lone astronaut who finds himself in a spaceship. He has no clue where he is headed and what mission he is on - let alone who he is!

Things get thrilling when he meets an alien that is nothing like you can imagine! Trust Andy Weir to add a comical twist to his protagonist just like he did in The Martian. If you are trying to get into the world of sci-fi, this might be a good pick for you if you don’t mind investing your time in such a big book.

3. Massage by Arya Narrayan

Pat yourself on the back if you didn’t see this cover and think it is a romantic novel. This is the story of a couple in Bangkok, Prasong and Rutna Songchon who visit a massage parlor for Rutna’s chronic back pain. She soon begins to go insane and crazy things begin to unfold in the story.

Prasong has to figure out what is going on if he wishes to save himself and his wife. This book will be a thrilling ride for anyone who likes reading about scientific elements while also exploring our souls and mind. It also questions God and religious concepts in interesting ways.

4. Paradox by Arya Narrayan

This is another novel by Arya Narrayan which explores the pandemic in a new light. The world is engulfed by the A-virus in 2020 and even WHO can’t find a cure for it. When an alien lands on Earth with a supposed cure for the pandemic, nobody is sure if they can believe it.

Does it have some ulterior motive or is it here to provide a cure? What is its true purpose and is it planning to take over our planet? Read the book and you will find yourself gripped by the storyline and simple explanations.

Children’s Corner

Here are some short and sweet kid’s books to enthrall your little one! It is always important to teach your children the reading habit at a young age. These are some great places to start.

1. What The Rains Foretold by N. Mohanan

This is an endearing story every child must read to find out Kerala’s origins. The story follows Vararuchi, a scholar who hopes to challenge destiny and pursue the truth. It is engaging and poetic in many ways to keep adults and children hooked.

The translator has done justice to the story as its purity has been preserved. It is an age-old tale that has finally been made accessible to readers - both young and old. The best part is how you will carry the weight of the book with you for a long time owing to its profound questions and myths.

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has written some interesting books in his life. He truly believed that children need to be treated like adults and it is good to expose them to gory and realistic content. It is far better to read such stories than fake fairytales that will create a wrong image of the world for them.

With this concept in mind, Coraline is a unique book that is quite creepy and not recommended if your child is easily scared. It follows Coraline who gets trapped in an alternate universe and must find a way to get out. Trust us, this book might be a kid’s book but it isn’t for the faint-hearted!

3. The Tales of Beedle The Bard by JK Rowling

Fans of the Harry Potter world will love this book which features some cute fairytales from the Wizarding World. The stories are unique and we are sure you will be surprised by the morals at the end.

The highlight of this book is the beautiful illustrations and how it adds more to the stories while reading them! Not only your kids, but you also can cherish JK Rowling’s writing if you miss the world of Harry Potter.

Final thoughts

Do check out these latest picks right from our bookshelves. Let us use these wonderful works to keep the child within us alive while exploring the world of science.

Let us know what you think of these books and if you have read them before! We would love to hear your favorite picks in these genres as well.

And as always, happy reading!