Book Talk Reading Challenge: May 2025 **RESULTS P.45** - Page 35

Originally posted by: So-So

I also have difficulties reading fantasy. The story has to be really gripping.

What doesn't work at all is urban dystopia. I can't get on with that at all.

I enjoy reading fantasy books. But I avoid reading high-fantasy novels because of the complex worldbuilding in those books. I mostly read children's fantasy, low-fantasy, contemporary fantasy and portal fantasy.

Originally posted by: Shirsha

I'm currently buddy-reading eminent Bengali author Satyajit Roy's book, Professor Shonku Samagra, with Muskan. Samagra means complete or entire in Bengali. The book is a collection of 40 science fiction stories. Professor Shonku is an extremely popular fictional character. He's a wise scientist with profound knowledge, and he goes on interesting adventures in his stories. All of Professor Shonku's stories were written in diary format. There are several amazing stories in the book, such as Professor Shonku o Egyptiyo Atonko (Professor Shonku and the Egyptian Terror), Professor Shonku o Golok-rohossyo (Professor Shonku and the Mystery of the Sphere), Corvus (A Latin word which means crow), Professor Shonku o Macaw (Professor Shonku and Macaw), and many others. Many of Satyajit Roy's stories were translated into English. So, non-Bengali people can read his stories as well. Satyajit Roy was a great author. He was a multi-talented person. Apart from being an immensely talented author, he was a magazine editor, illustrator, film director, calligrapher, screenwriter, and lyricist. Satyajit Roy won an Oscar in 1992 for his lifetime contributions to Indian cinema. He is considered to be the pride of Bengali people. A biopic was made on Satyajit Roy in 2022, and it received positive responses from the viewers. I admire him a lot! He's my favourite author.

When I was a kid, I used to read Bengali books only. I studied in a Bengali-medium school. Therefore, I felt gravitated towards Bengali books naturally. I read stories written by Satyajit Roy, Sukumar Roy (Satyajit Roy's father), Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Narayan Gongopadhyay, and so on. Nowadays, most of the kids study in English-medium schools. A lot of Bengali people look down on Bengali-medium schools now. However, I consider my Bengali-medium background to be my strength. It helped me become strong in my mother tongue, Bengali. I've the ability to write Bengali stories because of that. I wish to become a bilingual author in the future. I'm willing to write books in both English and Bengali.

I personally haven’t read Satyajit Ray’s works but have heard plenty. Being fluent and knowledgeable in your mother tongue should be a matter of pride, which you rightfully feel. English should be a priority but never more than your own language.
I hope you are successful as an author in both the languages

Originally posted by: Shirsha

I enjoy reading fantasy books. But I avoid reading high-fantasy novels because of the complex worldbuilding in those books. I mostly read children's fantasy, low-fantasy, contemporary fantasy and portal fantasy.

The last fantasy book I read was Portal Fantasy. That was also more for teenagers, but it was an exciting story. I also find it difficult to read complex worlds. I like fantasy set in ancient times.

Originally posted by: So-So

The last fantasy book I read was Portal Fantasy. That was also more for teenagers, but it was an exciting story. I also find it difficult to read complex worlds. I like fantasy set in ancient times.

What is the name of this portal fantasy book?

Originally posted by: Shirsha

What is the name of this portal fantasy book?

It's a German book "Meister der Elixiere" (Master of Elixirs). It is a trilogy.

An old man is the greatest alchemist of all kingdoms, the 'Master of Elixirs', as his ingenious potions "Curse of the Curious Shadow" or "Mirror of Death" impressively prove. A potion for humility and modesty should be invented by others.

While investigating a mysterious death, the soldier of the city guard finds a letter with the king's seal. He cannot resist the temptation.

The coverman's daughter and her friend go deep into the forest to pick mushrooms. A strange glow lures them into a hidden cave.

Originally posted by: So-So

It's a German book "Meister der Elixiere" (Master of Elixirs). It is a trilogy.

An old man is the greatest alchemist of all kingdoms, the 'Master of Elixirs', as his ingenious potions "Curse of the Curious Shadow" or "Mirror of Death" impressively prove. A potion for humility and modesty should be invented by others.

While investigating a mysterious death, the soldier of the city guard finds a letter with the king's seal. He cannot resist the temptation.

The coverman's daughter and her friend go deep into the forest to pick mushrooms. A strange glow lures them into a hidden cave.

I searched for this book on Amazon but couldn't find it. Instead, I saw a book named The Eternity Elixir. I also want to read a German fantasy book, and it's called Inkheart. There are four books in the series. But I think I won't be able to read Inkheart this month.

Originally posted by: Shirsha

I searched for this book on Amazon but couldn't find it. Instead, I saw a book named The Eternity Elixir. I also want to read a German fantasy book, and it's called Inkheart. There are four books in the series. But I think I won't be able to read Inkheart this month.

Inkheart is also on my reading list. I've only heard and read good things about it.

The Eternal Elixir is another book. The Master of Elixirs is unfortunately not available in English.

Originally posted by: So-So

Inkheart is also on my reading list. I've only heard and read good things about it.

The Eternal Elixir is another book. The Master of Elixirs is unfortunately not available in English.

Oh okay

Then how did you read the book? Do you know German?

Originally posted by: Shirsha

Oh okay

Then how did you read the book? Do you know German?

It's my mother tongue

Originally posted by: So-So

It's my mother tongue

Oh! You're German! I thought everyone was Indian here. I heard good things about German literature.