To calm the many qualms that arise during the gloomy monsoon days, India’s precious and rich culinary landscape has much to offer. And the best thing to go with a delicious plate? A literary classic! Some cliches are worth succumbing to and cosying up with a hardcover as it pours outside is definitely one of them. Here’s which classic you should read next depending on your favourite monsoon treat:

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky

A short, bittersweet novella about a lonely dreamer who forms a fleeting but profound connection with a young woman over four nights, White Nights is a story of comfort, companionship and yearning. Much like Yummiez Chicken Nuggets, there’s something deceptively simple about it — both are small, unassuming and surprisingly evocative. Nuggets are a quick, uncomplicated indulgence that somehow leave you reaching for another, much like the narrator’s brief encounter leaves him wishing their time together could last a little longer. Both are short, sweet and over before you’re quite ready for them to be.

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe 

Moll Flanders follows our eponymous protagonist as she harnesses marriage as an economic tool, Moll does whatever it takes to make it in life. A well-made vada pav perfectly mirrors Moll’s adaptability and relentlessness. Like Moll, it is humble in appearance but quite resourceful as it transforms a few simple ingredients into something filling and satisfying. Its adaptability -- serving as a quick street-side snack or a slow monsoon indulgence -- echoes Moll’s constant reinvention whenever life demands it. Although not well-known outside literary circles, this novel is fast-paced and keeps readers on their toes, just like a well-placed fried chilli in a vada pav.

Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

A quintessential dish in monsoon, a serving of bhutta is quite literally a culinary manifestation of the dual nature this novella is based around. Freshly roasted over open charcoal flames and then coated in a tangy spice mix, the bhutta surprises you with a sharp transformation in flavour. Its smoky, almost bitter char gives way to the bright, acidic kick of lime and chilli, paired so perfectly with the sweet corn as the base. This crafts two contrasting personalities in a single bite — much like the novel’s central exploration of the duality between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This romance adorns many bookshelves as readers’ introduction to classics, a witty exploration of love, class, and misunderstandings. The ‘cutting’ chai mirrors the sharp-witted banter between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, with every sip carrying a little bite. Yet beneath its bold masala and sharp ginger nodes, there lies a sweet, indulgent comfort much like the blooming relationship between our protagonists.

The Odyssey by Homer

An ever-comforting, aromatic meal, Khichudi (especially the Bengali one) always tastes like coming home after a long, weary day. You’ll find many Bong families whipping up a ghee-filled khichudi on rainy afternoons, its warmth offering a sense of familiarity and refuge. Much like Odysseus’ long, arduous journey back to Ithaca, a bowl of khichudi feels like a return to something familiar after being away from home — simple, hearty, and deeply comforting. Consider this another sign to read The Odyssey besides Nolan’s film!

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Maggi brings us all back to childhood, making it a fitting companion to this beloved children’s classic. Just as The Little Prince explores friendship, wonder and the divide between childhood and adulthood, a bowl of Maggi carries us back to simpler days. From shared lunches with school friends to hurried late-night meals, its familiar taste becomes a small reminder of childhood — one that somehow follows us well into adulthood.