Hey everyone, I'm back with a new blog post! This time, I'm kind of prepared because I've been thinking about writing this for a while. I want to share with you the incredible experience I had with two books I discovered last month. These books left such an impression on me that I can't wait to tell you all about them.

A Little Backstory: How I Found the First Book🕵️‍♀️

During my company holidays, I decided to visit an amazing book cafe called Champaca in Bangalore. If you ever find yourself in Bangalore, you must visit this beautiful place. It's a haven for book lovers. I initially went there to wrap up some work, but soon found out that using a laptop on weekdays requires a purchase from the shop. So, I thought, "Why not read some books instead?"

Every book in the cafe was displayed with its title visible. After some exploration, I stumbled upon a book lying on a shelf. Suddenly, a lady appeared and whispered, "This is an amazing book, you should read it." That was the first triggering point for me.

Introducing: "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" 👦🦫🦊🐴

The first book I discovered is called "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. Tbh, I couldn't remember the title at first. Whenever I share about this book, I only remember the amazing four characters. It's a series of illustrations and moments shared by a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse. There isn't a traditional storyline, but there's something about this book that hooks you on every page, making you think about the deep truths of human nature.

These four characters become unlikely friends, united by their sorrows, hurts, and musings about life. Their sorrow unites them, their hurt and their musings about life – all of which contribute to the growing love they acquire for each other. The book beautifully shows that we can be united in our suffering and love others and ourselves better because of it. As the book says, “Asking for help isn’t giving up, it’s refusing to give up.” 🤝

Many lines resonated with me deeply, but a couple that stood out are:

“The bravest thing we can do is ask for help”

“The greatest thing we can do is love.”

This book has become my go-to, and I highly recommend everyone read it at least once.

The Second Book: "Big Panda and Tiny Dragon" 🐼🐉

After raving about the first book to everyone, my mentor introduced me to another fantastic book: "Big Panda and Tiny Dragon" by James Norbury. This book features two characters, Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, who embark on a journey through the seasons (🍂❄️🌸☀️) of the year. They get lost but discover beautiful sights they'd never have found otherwise.

The Panda, the calm voice of reason often reassures the Dragon to look for positives rather than negatives and embrace adventure. The artistic expression in the book brings the narrative to life, allowing you to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Some lines that struck me are:

“Mistakes mean you are trying, so don’t give up.”

“If you don’t try, you never know you can fly.”

The whole book is filled with such gems.

Why You Should Read These Books 📚

Both books offer more than just stories, they provide reflections and inspirations that can enrich your life. Here’s why you should dive into these reads:

Heartfelt Wisdom: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a gentle reminder of the importance of love and cherishing the little moments in life. If you’re looking for a book that offers comfort and clarity, this is it.
Charming Adventures: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon encourages you to embrace life’s ups and downs with positivity and curiosity. It’s perfect for when you need a bit of inspiration and joy.

Conclusion

I hope you understand this blog's title: I am the girl and these amazing characters are my new friends who teach me something about life. If you know of any similar books, please let me know, I’d love to add them to my list. I highly recommend everyone read these two books at least once. I bet you'll love every piece of them.

Happy reading! ✨

The Girl and Her New Fictional Friends