Byanjana Sharma, who has a PhD in literacy education from Monash University, Australia, is a lecturer at Damak Multiple Campus, Jhapa. She is also a regular columnist for The Purba Sandesh, a Nepali daily, and the director of Vidya Shilpa Academy and editor at Sergem Publishing House. In this interview with the Post, Sharma talks about her favourite genres, what writing means to her, and why developing a reading habit is so important.

Did you grow up in an environment that encouraged reading?

I grew up surrounded by books. As both my parents were teachers, they always encouraged all their five children to read books from different genres. Additionally, one of my elder brothers had taken the initiative to open a library in a room, and he had named it ‘Sanu Pustakalaya’. He would encourage all his younger siblings (one brother and two sisters, including me) to borrow books from his library. He would issue two books at a time for a week. When we returned the books, he would ask us what we learned from them and only then issue other books.

Which genres do you enjoy reading? And which ones do you avoid?

When it comes to fiction, I enjoy reading novels, short stories, and poetry. In nonfiction, I like biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Essays and science fiction are not my cup of tea. I prefer to read books that can lift my soul. I also love reading spiritual books. Sometimes, when I feel low, self-help books come in handy. I like to read a range of genres that help me explore the world on a deeper level.

Can you name one book you think today’s youth must read and why?

Developing a reading habit is always good for youths. It saves them from thousands of dangers lurking around them. If I am to pick a book that I think today’s youth ought to read, it has to be ‘Angela’s Ashes’ by Frank McCourt. Reading the book will make readers more compassionate about their situation and learn how people get through hard times. I cried when I read the plight of that poor lady Angela, the book’s central character, when she had nothing but cigarettes to comfort her. The whole theme of the book is poverty and perseverance. Youth is that period in life when we are most distracted; we are not happy with what we have, and reading this great book might help people calm down.

You have written numerous articles on topics ranging from national issues to the personal turmoil. What is your writing process like? How do you decide what to write about?

Writing for me is the panacea. When an idea strikes me, I feel the need to pour it all out on paper; otherwise, it keeps haunting me. For example, if I find something interesting, encouraging, or painful, I get tempted to write about it. Once, I saw a lady who was tirelessly cooking bhakka (a dish made with broken rice and eaten mainly in the districts of Jhapa and Morang). I observed her and liked the way she drew people’s attention. I kept obsessing over her until I went and talked to her. Then I wrote the article ‘Bhakkawalika Pakka Gaf’. After I recorded her in writing, my thoughts about her settled down. So, I write about topics that interest, inspire, or trouble me. Furthermore, I sometimes write on current issues and human interest stories.

What are your three favourite Nepali books and why?

There are a lot of Nepali books which are my favourites. Amar Neupane’s ‘Karodaun Kasturi’, Nayan Raj Pandey’s ‘Sallipir’ and Basanta Basnet’s ‘Mahabhara’ have left a lasting impact on me.

‘Karodaun Kasturi’ inspires people to identify their talent and hone it to achieve success in life. Conventionally, success is confined only to academic achievements, which is not true. We are all talented in one way or another, but our society only considers excelling in academics as being successful. ‘Karodau Kasturi’ challenges this kind of belief system. This book encourages people not to limit their dreams and hopes.

‘Sallipir’ depicts the power of words. The book is set in Nepal’s Khumbu region. The novelist has presented the hardships of life of those living in the area. The story’s central message is the power of education in transforming one’s life.

The third Nepali book on my list is ‘Mahabhara’, particularly because the book is set in eastern Nepal, a region I am familiar with. The writer has picked up the local tone for his characters, making the book very realistic.

‘Ghaam Astaaeko Hoina’ is your debut book. Why did you feel the need to write it?

While pursuing my PhD in Australia, I unexpectedly lost my mother in Nepal. I was all alone, and the grief was so deep that I struggled to cope with it. Frantically, I started to search the internet for stories of people going through a similar loss. Whenever I visited public libraries, I would scan the shelves and search for books that would help me find solace.

I thought that sharing everything I was experiencing following my mother’s passing might help me organise my pain. Then I started writing letters addressing my mother. This did miracles. I began to feel like my mother was always there to soothe me. In the middle of writing, I suddenly realised that publishing these letters as a book may help other people grieving the loss of a loved one. This is how ‘Ghaam Astaaeko Hoina’ came into being.

What three books are you never tire of recommending and why?

‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle, ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom, and ‘Conversations with God’ by Neale Donald Walsch. These are soul-lifting books.

We all go through times when we feel low and do not see the purpose of life. When going through such a phase, ‘A New Earth’ is a great read to rediscover life’s purpose. I recommend ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ because it encourages us not to give up and live life to the fullest. ‘Conversations with God’ is an inspiring read, for it tells the true story of the writer who has inspired and changed the lives of millions worldwide.

Byanjana Sharma’s favourite books

1. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt

2. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

3. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

4. Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama

5. Oprah Winfrey: A Biography by Helen S Garson

6. Half a life by V S Naipaul