Binti by Nnedi Okrofer

Binti is a Himba girl living with her family on Earth in a distant future. Her people follow traditions neither respected or understood by the so called civilized population. They also avoid much contact with the rest of the world, by choice. When a chance to study in one of the best universities in the Galaxy comes across, Binti chooses to give up her familiar life to seek knowledge in face of resistance by her loved ones.

If gaining knowledge was easy it wouldn't have made a great story. Like in real life, this futuristic world holds forth hurdles. Binti finds herself at the centre of a vicious attack by an alien race called Meduse on Oomza University. Her way out is probably also her way in to the new world. 

There is science fiction and then there is great science fiction. Binti belongs to the latter kind. From tackling themes ranging from migrant psychology to racial prejudices, the book doesn't shy either from calling out wrongs or stepping forward in to the unknown. Free from pretensions it treads a path that mirrors our present world scenario yet rarely preaches.

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The Right Time by Danielle Steel

Alexandra Winslow, the heroine,  comes with a lot of emotional baggage.  Difficult childhood, genius level of writing skills and  a secret identity. It has been ingrained in her mind that women writers of mystery don't sell so she writes under a pseudonym and shines. Her books are instant bestsellers but her real identity is a well guarded secret, known only to a select few. As she grows in to a confident young woman, her horizons broaden. Her novels get adapted to the big screen and very soon she is leading a double life that is not just complicated to manage but also full of adventures.

For a Danielle Steel novel, this one is pretty good. I remember reading Big Girl, loving the choice of theme but appalled at the way it was written. This one definitely doesn't feel like it is written for a story segment of a school textbook, so that's a relief. Plus the tragedy meter is pretty much in check. 

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