By Eleonora Cerasoli
“There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favourite book” – Marcel Proust
This year we decided to celebrate Father’s day with our Book Club, asking our editors to share a special book that was meaningful to them and the relationship with their paternal figure.
Books allow us to build bridges and connect with other people in a very intimate way. In this book club, we explore those that helped our editors understand their fathers more, books that created special bonds and lasting memories.
Get inspired with these beautiful stories, a testimony of the power a book can have in connecting two people for life:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Lily’s pick – Fashion Editor Contributor
Set in 1939 Germany, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, a young girl surviving the horrors of World War II through her love for books and the power of words she learns from them. She finds refuge in the books stolen to save them from the Nazis but also to save herself from the surrounding reality. She will find an accomplice in her adoptive father who will teach her how to read and insist on the importance of education and free thought as the true act of rebellion against Hitler’s regime.
The Inhabited Woman by Gioconda Belli
Sophie’s pick – Fashion & Lifestyle Editor Contributor
After finishing her studies in Europe, Lavinia returns to Latin America as an independent woman. Through a passionate love story, she reconnects with her roots and finds the courage to take action against the dictatorship of his country. The spirit of an indigenous woman who fought against the Spanish invaders accompanies and inspires Lavinia in her fight for freedom.
Dearest Father by Franz Kafka
Eleonora’s pick – Lifestyle Editor Contributor
This open letter, that the author never actually sent, explores one of the oldest literary themes: the conflict between father and son. Retracing the origin of the conflicting relationship with his father we see Kafka struggling with the authoritarian figure imposing obligations on him, to which he responds with a mix of rebellion and guilt. This explicit and direct letter to his father feels like a painful yet cathartic confession for the author.
Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling
Rebecca’s pick – Beauty & Lifestyle Editor Contributor
Certainly, this series needs no introduction, as it has been a beloved series for a few generations now. The Harry Potter franchise has meant so much more than a pleasant read to thousands of kids, teenagers and adults. So many people found comfort in exploring and escaping into a supernatural world made of wands, fantastic beasts and flying brooms, but I believe so many people resonated with it because of its strong link to reality and everyday life. We follow the adventures of a group of friends facing extraordinary adversities but we also see them growing up, struggling with all sorts of relationship: with friends, romantic interests and paternal figures.
I hope you enjoyed our editors’ stories, and if you’re looking for inspiration on Father’s Day gift, check our Guide:
The Ultimate Guide To Sustainable Father’s Day Gifts
For more book inspiration check out our latest article featuring our editors’ picks https://keiseimagazine.com/march-book-club-get-lost-inside-the-stories/ and if you’re interested in learning more about sustainability, you can read about our recommendation of books on this topic here: https://keiseimagazine.com/5-top-books-on-sustainable-culture/.
Do you have any special book meaningful to your relationship with your father or father figure? Have you read any that was insightful of the complex topic of fatherhood? If you have any reading recommendations or if you want to share which books you have been loving this month, we can’t wait to hear about them!
Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation over at our Instagram Page! And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to be a part of our book club community!
Eleonora Cerasoli
Eleonora is an Italian art historian and enthusiast based in London. Inspired years ago to make a change and live a more sustainable life, she now wants to empower readers through her writing. "One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world."
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2 comments
Such a beautiful article, Eleonora! I feel a bit choked after reading it!
Thanks Lily and thank you for sharing your story:)