10 Ruskin Bond Bestsellers Everyone Should Read

Of all the memories I have of my childhood, the ones I share with Ruskin Bond are my favourite. Heart-felt storylines, funny phrases and metaphors so terrific that it was impossible to stop after one page. I remember the first time I stumbled upon the beautiful story of "The Blue Umbrella" by Ruskin Bond in my school library. It was this tiny little book at the end of the shelf with a blue cover and an umbrella drawn on it. As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew I had to read it. After three pages I was hooked and by the end of the book, I was smiling like a fool. It touched my heart.

 

Thus began a journey of a little girl who wished to write as good as Ruskin Bond. Now I know I am a few years and a lot of experiences short of becoming what he was back in the days but a girl can try. 

 

In fact, a girl can walk you through a list of her favourite bestseller Ruskin Bond novels worthy of your time. 

 

1. The Room On The Roof

 

Price

INR 216

 

Winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957, The Room on the Roof is about a seventeen-year-old, Anglo-Indian teenage boy named Rusty who in the process of running away from their adoptee parents falls in love with Indian customs, bazaars and their diversity while living with his Indian friends. The significance of the title comes later as he struggles to survive in the real world alone. Plainly said, this bestseller is Ruskin Bond's memoir in the form of a story you'd never forget. The book is stacked with interesting language and funny phrases just ready to make your day. 

Image Courtesy: Amazon

 

 

2. The Blue Umbrella

 

Price

INR 142 

 

Published in 1980, The Blue Umbrella is one of my favourite novella from the list. It has a heartfelt storyline, witty punches and quick to finish. The novel is set in a small village of Himachal Pradesh where Binya, a little girl residing with her mother and a brother comes into the possession of the most beautiful blue umbrella in exchange for her lucky leopard's claw pendant. She sure falls more and more in love with the umbrella every day while the entire village grew envious of the relationship, especially the shopkeeper named Ram Bharosa. Will he steal it? Will he get away with it? Find out what happens in this well-written short story by Ruskin Bond. 

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3. Rusty, The Boy From The Hills

 

Price

INR 206

 

Ruskin's own stories and adventures weaved into one single narration brought to life by one of Bond's popular characters; Rusty, The Boy from the Hills! The book, however, revolves around a quiet, imaginative and sensitive boy (much like Ruskin himself) living with his grandparents in pre-Independence Dehradun. It is a rather detailed and fun account of the boy's (read: Ruskin Bond) most interesting and exciting years of his life. In a line; this book is a fun-to-read, light-hearted text you can enjoy on a rainy day with a cup of hot joe!

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4. Roads To Mussoorie

 

Price

INR 123

 

Hop on as we travel through the roads of Mussoorie and relive all the exciting expeditions and daily scandals of Ruskin's friends and family along with him. Through this bestseller, Bond gives an ode to his home, his city where he spent forty years of his life with peace and imagination.

But what's queer is, the book starts on backward (as in "Forward"). You read the last chapter in the beginning so as to make the process of selection easier for the readers. 

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5. A Face In The Dark & Other Hauntings

 

Price

INR 250

 

Do you believe in ghosts? I know Ruskin didn't. Although he once claimed that he sees them in the woods and the bars near his home. Well, that's where all the fun begins. A Face in the Dark is a collection of paranormal tales where Bond made supernatural appear entirely natural - making them hard to ignore! Once you are done wrapping your heads around the theme of this book, jump right into it because it has everything. An unforgettable beginning, an even better ending and a treat for believers and non-believers all the same. 

Image Courtesy: Amazon

 

 

6. Maharani

 

Price

INR 154

 

Here's a delightful read about love, death and friendship by Ruskin Bond you'll take to your grave. The narrative describes a spoilt, selfish, beautiful and ageing widow of the deceased Maharaja of Mastipur, Neena, and her lavish life in the 60s and 70s. 

Image Courtesy: Flipkart

 

 

7. Angry River

 

Price

INR 95

 

If you're looking for something simple and lovely to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Ruskin Bond's Angry River is your book. The story is based on nature's havoc and blessing tied with a little girl, Sita living on a small island in the middle of a big river along with her grandparents. It's a tale even grown-ups can learn from.

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8. Falling In Love Again

 

Price

INR 213

 

Falling in Love Again is a collection of all the love stories ever penned down by Ruskin Bond, including The Eyes Have It and The Girl from Copenhagen. This book is an emotional medley of romance, heartbreaks and good writing. Each story better than the other and feels like a warm hug on a chilly Monday morning. 

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9. The Perfect Murder

 

Price

INR 195

 

Two brothers lurking behind every opportunity to plan The Perfect Murder and an innocent aunt unaware of their intentions on the gunpoint (metaphorically). The book is brimming with suspense, schemes and a baffling plot difficult to forget. If you enjoy mystery novels, this bestseller by Ruskin Bond will exceed your expectations. 

Image Courtesy: Amazon

 

 

10. The Hidden Pool

 

Price

INR 146

 

Three friends surviving their personal tragic lives discover a secret pool on the mountainside. Little did they know that this place would become the breeding ground for an invincible plan. The plan to trek to the Pindari Glacier, a journey no villager dared to embark on before. This is a heroic tale that will touch your heart, no matter how old you are.

Image Courtesy: Flipkart

 

 

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This is an ode to one of the greatest author and human I ever read about, Ruskin Bond. His books will remind you of your lost childhood and teach you lessons even at this age. Happy reading!

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