8. "What can be wrong with knowing?"

Escapism, balance in the age of overload, and two book recommendations

Dear reader,

After what seemed like two, maybe three, months, January is behind us. Not that I was complaining, mind you. Seeing as how I had to spend some time recovering from a viral that kind of wiped me out, I appreciated a month that felt endless in the best way. Though each day did seem to bring some new calamity (sometimes multiple) somewhere or the other in a world that I’m not sure how to define the state of anymore. But more about that a little later.

What I Read: January edition

I adored four—any guesses?—and really enjoyed the rest. What more can a reader ask for? I’ve already written about the Becky Chambers novellas in the previous issue (catch up here if you haven’t yet). I’m writing about two today, and you’ll see me share my thoughts on the others in due course. If there’s a book in particular from those left over that you’d like me to write about first, you know where to find me!

Escapism: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine

As I wrote earlier, while I was grateful for all long 31 days of the first month of this new year, I also required more than my usual level of coping mechanisms. The “state of the world” feels like an inscription you rub your finger against so much that it has now lost all legibility and meaning. And yet…

Now, I’ve always been a realist with a strong brushstroke of optimism. I’m not, by nature, someone who immediately jumps into the pit of doom—what, you thought I’d leave a chance to use a Middle Earth reference?—but even I have to confess to a cynical shift that snuck in there under the radar gods know when. I now find myself skeptical of much and quick to believe the worst.

And one of my constant questions is: when much of the world is, yes, in the state that it is and it’s going to get a lot worse before it can get better, how can you keep yourself informed without sacrificing the peace of mind and the energy that can be better utilised in the long, steady battle for a better future, for us, and this planet?

This balance feels like a constant work in progress (and one that I feel like I’m on the losing side of more often than not), and I’d love to know if any of you have cracked the code.

The other side of that balancing act brings me to escapism and a great article I recently read about “trying and failing to figure out escapism in books” by Reactor’s Molly Templeton which you can read here.

As someone who deals with words and storytelling for a living, I’ve always been aware of the multi-faceted nature of the very act of escapism, along with the different things it means to different people—in many ways, it’s as personal as a reader’s experience of a story—even though the mainstream meaning that gets pushed is invariably the least flattering and most negative one.

For me, there are many times I escape into books to better understand myself, to make sense of my life, the world around me and the people in it. Other times I’m in need of a change of scenery to escape from, to get respite from, reality; even if simply to recharge away from the world I physically inhabit so that I can come back better equipped to deal with what I must. The books I read or reread to allow this transition depend on my mood. The process is similar for TV shows and movies.

What does escapism mean to you? Does the meaning change based on the situation? What are some of your go-to escapist stories, in whatever format? How do you balance escapism and being present and informed in this age of overload?

I’d love to know, if you’re comfortable sharing 😊.

Speaking of escapism, here are two books I read and adored in January from one of my go-to genres.

Anu Recommends: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett and Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta

“Hand you the right storybook, and you are capable of anything.”

I’ve reviewed book 1 and 2 here and here respectively. I’m going to try and write about book 3 without spoilers for those of you who are yet to read the series.

From the publisher blurb

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

This trio of cozy-ish-grey-academia-historical-fantasy books is a great example of holding a reader’s attention through slow-burn narrative (that is in the form of Emily’s diary entries, complete with academic footnotes!), for building on said narrative in each new installment while maintaining the individual book’s complete-in-itself arc, and for showing that “cozy” doesn’t have to mean boring or simplistic.

Lovable, well-developed characters who show tangible growth throughout the books, a dry wit that doesn’t take itself too seriously, a romantic relationship with actual respect and mutual admiration as well as a genuine, affectionate connection (and natural banter that doesn’t try hard), immersive worldbuilding that is detailed, diverse, and individually atmospheric, and a fleshed-out supporting cast.

The ending wrapped up the overarching narrative from the first and second books, but left enough open for potential future adventures. Count me in!

This third book is out in the world on February 11. I’m grateful, as always, to have had the chance to read it early thanks to Heather’s US publisher, Del Rey.

“Why must mortals always be solving mysteries? What is the point of life if everything is pinned and labelled in some display case? You scholars should aim to discover more mysteries, not untangle them.”

“People have a curious interest in the beginning of things. It doesn’t matter; things simply are.”

I first came across a mention of this book online in late 2023 and was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya (it has foil too 😍). Equally immediate was my click to buy it as soon as I read the blurb. It would take me a year to start reading it, but as I’ve experienced time and time again—and hence have surrendered to—the right books the right time is something you don’t control. It hasn’t let me down so far.

What can I say about this stunning novel that’s unlike any I’ve read? For starters, this is definitely not the last time you’ll hear me talk about it.

Here is the publisher’s blurb:

Myung and Laleh are keepers of the whale of babel. They roam within its cosmic chambers, speak folktales of themselves, and pray to an enigmatic figure they know only as 'Great Wisa'. To Laleh, this is everything. For Myung, it is not enough.

When Myung flees the whale, she stumbles into a new universe where shapeshifting islands and ancient maps hold sway. There, she sets off on an adventure that is both tragic and transformative, for her and Laleh. For at the heart of her quest lies a mystery that has confounded scholars for centuries: the truth about the mad sisters of Esi.

Fables, dreams and myths come together in this masterful work of fantasy by acclaimed author Tashan Mehta, sweeping across three landscapes, and featuring a museum of collective memory and a festival of madness. At its core, it asks: In the devastating chaos of this world, where all is in flux and the truth ever-changing, what will you choose to hold on to?

This is a story within a story within many stories inside perhaps a fever-ish dream, if not a fever dream outright. Intricate, imaginative, immersive worldbuilding, fable-like narration that doesn’t skimp on depth, non-chronological plot, overlapping timelines, and two pairs of captivating, enigmatic sisters separated by centuries.

This is about madness and memories and magic, about time and truth, about the twisting, embracing, enduring threads of sisterhood, about what we keep, what slips through our fingers, and what remains against all odds.

“Does anyone know what the shape of madness looks like?”

Mad Sisters of Esi is the perfect example of sweeping yet intimate storytelling that you’ll always carry a part of going forward. I’m now firmly a fan and eager to see where the author goes next.

Mad Sisters of Esi*

Buy print | Buy ebook

This book is slated for US release later this year, so stay tuned!

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s issue, here’s a few things you can do:

• click on the heart to like it

• turn this into a conversation by leaving a comment below or dropping me a line via email, even just to say hi—I always love hearing from you 😊

• share it with friends and family who might like to read it

And of course, send me your recommendations and tell me what you’d like me to write about next! Let me know what you’re currently reading and watching, send me rants/ramblings/excited monologues, GIFs and memes (especially them). 🤓

Take care and I’ll see you on February 16!

Anu

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You can find me on Bluesky at @anushreenande (yep I finally created an account and I’m really enjoying it—my Twitter remains online so far but I’m not actively posting on there anymore) and on Instagram at @anushreenande. You can support my work at https://buymeacoffee.com/anushreenande.

*the book buying links I share on here are affiliate links (barring the links for my own published work for which I will earn royalties instead), which means that if you make any purchases through those links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.