Books, English, and heartbreaks

Question

So, I found this book in a nearby park's book exchange box. I've been reading non-fiction, sci-fi and these endless O'Reilly animal-covered books lately and had little need for a new book, but the cover was colorful enough and had English words splashed across it!

I mean, what are the odds of finding a book in English in a small non-English speaking town in a box that is mostly used to dump all the Dumas series that once crowded every grandparent's shelf?
But improbable doesn't equal impossible, so I grabbed the book, hid it under my coat as it was raining and hurried back home.

The book appeared to be a romance-thriller-detective novel with short chapters and a rather weird plot. It was actually the second book in a series of two, printed in the UK, and I had a strong feeling someone had bought it in an airport during a vacation without a second glance, attracted by the sight of English in the cover or just out of a lack of better options.

Totally not my genre, but I promised myself I'd read more in English, and what could this be other than fate itself, pushing me right into the arms of the exquisite, twisted obsession of one of the main protagonists? 
Honestly, Henry was the only reason the book was interesting. I think many people with traumatic childhoods and attachment issues end up with strange bonding patterns and obsessions that could serve both as strong motivators and destabilizers. The ending left me feeling as empty as Henry did, and yet, it was the only realistic outcome.

As for the English part, it was super easy to read. I'm C1 in reading, but I'd definitely recommend it to everyone sitting at a CEFR B1 level. The chapters are short, the language is modern and the plot is entertaining enough to keep you hooked while you're checking a dictionary.

I had returned the book to the box one month ago. It took me three full months to finish it. A whole season of life with way too many work hours, an unwanted promotion, an absurd heartbreak, tears that refused to dry, thousands of words in two languages exchanged across the globe, calls with strangers and awkward pauses, waves of social anxiety and self-loathing, and more small and big encounters that were accompanied by these short chapters. On closing Henry's story, I closed one of my own with the same emptiness, just a little more aching.

After that, I decided to make reading in English a routine and ordered 'Yellowface', completed it in under two weeks and put in that blue exchange box in the same park. 
Hopefully, it'll start a circle of English book-crossing around the town. Or maybe the books will just disappear forever the way my contacts from this app do.

Either way, I'm in my new chapter with reading Tolstoy in English (couldn't stand him in Russian!) along with a new profile here and a couple of creative ideas in mind born from months of looping.

What have you been reading while collecting traumas on this app? 😂

Utkarsh · Accepted Answer

I wish you read the first part before when henry revealed himself who he is now. Second part is nothing compared to the first part. And it's one of my favourite psychological thrillers. You should definitely give a chance to this genre if you like mind bending twist and psychological manipulation.

Books, English, and heartbreaks

Books Community

I wish you read the first part before when henry revealed himself who he is now. Second part is nothing compared to the first part. And it's one of my favourite psychological thrillers. You should definitely give a chance to this genre if you like mind bending twist and psychological manipulation.

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