I have read a few of Shilpi Somaya Gowda's books before and I was pretty excited to pick this one up. I read this in a day. Fast. Moving. Absorbing.
SI have read a few of Shilpi Somaya Gowda's books before and I was pretty excited to pick this one up. I read this in a day. Fast. Moving. Absorbing.
Shilpi has captured immigrant angst almost perfectly. Not that I am an immigrant, but I have heard enough stories to know that what she has depicted is authentic.
I think the ending was a bit abrupt. It could have been longer. 200 odd pages wasn't enough. Come on, Shilpi - write a sequel. And another one. We all want to know how Ajay fares. What happens with Ashok and Priya's marriage. Deepa's activism and Maya's hockey skills....more
I have read many books on Cambodia, but this was unique. An ode to food, memories of cooking, and the unimaginable horrors of war.
I couldn't relate tI have read many books on Cambodia, but this was unique. An ode to food, memories of cooking, and the unimaginable horrors of war.
I couldn't relate to the food as most of it was non-vegetarian, but it didn't matter. Chantha's love for cooking, and love for her country shines. A sweet, slow treasure....more
A book with mental health as the focus should have appealed to me. But this rambling story didn't take off at all. I kept waiting for the "evil" to beA book with mental health as the focus should have appealed to me. But this rambling story didn't take off at all. I kept waiting for the "evil" to begin, but it really doesn't until the last 10 pages of an extremely predictable ending.
I wasn't in harmony at all while reading this....more
A relentlessly breathtaking novel that evokes quiet and pain while reading.
This was the first book for me from Ann Napolitano. I loved the complex chA relentlessly breathtaking novel that evokes quiet and pain while reading.
This was the first book for me from Ann Napolitano. I loved the complex characters she has woven here. You will spend a lot of time wondering at the actions of the people here. But even though it sort of comes together in the end in ways in which you anticipate, it’s still worth the wait....more
A dark domestic drama that twists and turns its way through emotional upheavals. It reminds me of Sally Rooney in a way. Chic and just the perfect SunA dark domestic drama that twists and turns its way through emotional upheavals. It reminds me of Sally Rooney in a way. Chic and just the perfect Sunday read....more
What an astounding debut. Measured, gripping, riveting, and compelling. Yes, this book is for runners. But even a non-runner can read this and just beWhat an astounding debut. Measured, gripping, riveting, and compelling. Yes, this book is for runners. But even a non-runner can read this and just be awed at this debut work of fiction from Josie Shapiro. It’s rare to come across books set in New Zealand, so that’s another plus.
I adored this book. One of the books of the year for me. Honest and compassionate, moving and just lovable....more
A searing yet subtle look at what it is to be Muslim in American society. I devoured this over a weekend, and Aisha’s lush language kept me captivatedA searing yet subtle look at what it is to be Muslim in American society. I devoured this over a weekend, and Aisha’s lush language kept me captivated.
Gosh, Katya Balen is my new favorite in children’s literature. Her writing has such a luminous feel to it - a lyrical outpouring of kindness.
In ‘OctoGosh, Katya Balen is my new favorite in children’s literature. Her writing has such a luminous feel to it - a lyrical outpouring of kindness.
In ‘October, October, ’ Balen picks an unconventional story - about a man living in the wild with his daughter. An owl. A mother who wants to return to the ‘real’ world with plumbing and the Internet. How do they all live freely without breaking each other?
Transformative and magical. Katya Balen has crafted a children’s story for the ages. I loved this book - which talks of the trauma of abuse in the genTransformative and magical. Katya Balen has crafted a children’s story for the ages. I loved this book - which talks of the trauma of abuse in the gentlest of ways. It’s dark and light. Sand, sun, and waves. Family and friendship. And kindness and love.
I will read more of Balen - there’s something so life-affirming in her books....more
The reason I love reading children’s books is that they remind me of how to live. To just get in touch with my inner child: laugh, have fun, go througThe reason I love reading children’s books is that they remind me of how to live. To just get in touch with my inner child: laugh, have fun, go through scrapes, but to keep my values close.
Kelly Barnhill wrote the magical ‘The Girl Who Drank The Moon,’ which I still remember years later. In ‘The Ogress and the Orphans,’ Barnhill bases the story on kindness. Now, I couldn’t resist that, could I? Yet, while you can read it as a simple tale, it’s way more than that. It shows us a bit of empathy to be in someone’s skin, literally. It tells us to care for each other, and it shows that who we think are monsters are just lonely people who need a hug.
Having read all of Adebayo’s books, I was so eager to read this. ‘A Spell Of Good Things’ is a slow-burner. For about 40% of the book, I was tempted aHaving read all of Adebayo’s books, I was so eager to read this. ‘A Spell Of Good Things’ is a slow-burner. For about 40% of the book, I was tempted almost to give it up. But I am glad I didn’t. Because Adebayo gets so good that she made me sit late into the night for the ending.
And for some reason, I seem to keep finding books on abusive relationships. Don’t ask. I am not in one. But this book is a haunting insight into Nigerian society. Honestly, if you aren’t reading Nigerian authors, you are missing something....more
I have become a fan of Holly Sloan. There’s something to her writing that is so life-affirming. In ‘The Elephant In The Room,’ Sloan explores one of hI have become a fan of Holly Sloan. There’s something to her writing that is so life-affirming. In ‘The Elephant In The Room,’ Sloan explores one of her favorite themes: how do children deal with loss or chaotic change? In this case, Sila is dealing with her mom’s absence after an immigration fiasco. And then she finds love and friendship through an elephant, of all things.
Sounds quirky? It is. Also adorably quirky. ...more
What a rare book of quiet this is. I don’t know why I had missed reading Cynthia Kadohata all these years, but this author is going to be on my radar What a rare book of quiet this is. I don’t know why I had missed reading Cynthia Kadohata all these years, but this author is going to be on my radar from now.
Kira-Kira means glitter in Japanese, and this quiet novel traces the story of two children - sisters - who struggle through difficult periods in the early 1950s. And little Katie’s hero is Lynn - the Lynn who tells her about the kira-kira in the sky, the sea, our hearts, and the vast open fields of our lives.
Moving and touching, there’s much to love about this book. ...more
A terrific, underrated novel that really is in your face. I am not sure where to place this book. It’s family. Relationships. Religion. Forgiveness. GA terrific, underrated novel that really is in your face. I am not sure where to place this book. It’s family. Relationships. Religion. Forgiveness. Growth. And somewhere, also something on American’s gun culture. The funny thing is that none of this seems confusing. It’s gripping, powerful, and culturally rich.
I can quibble about the missing sister storyline and a rather bizarre school shooting - what was that all about? But it’s ok. There’s still beauty in this book.
Such a needed book, this. We all know what impact mental illness has on us. But what about caregiving? What about those who have to ‘manage’ the woundSuch a needed book, this. We all know what impact mental illness has on us. But what about caregiving? What about those who have to ‘manage’ the wounds of that illness? Jerry Pinto wrote the much-acclaimed Eh and the Big Hoom and has been a strong advocate of mental health. Here, Pinto has gathered stories from different caregivers, including one from a dear friend of mine, Amandeep Sandhu, who writes a ‘too-difficult-to-read’ story about his mother.
These are difficult stories to read. Wrenching. But it’s a book of light. That it is. ...more
This is such an underrated novel. I keep searching for that smart Indian novel - one that doesn’t endlessly talk about quaint villages, steepling poveThis is such an underrated novel. I keep searching for that smart Indian novel - one that doesn’t endlessly talk about quaint villages, steepling poverty, and happy slums. And this is one such novel. And funnily enough, it’s not even written by an Indian.
Leah Franqui had me in awe for much of the book - her rendering of India, especially Mumbai, was so nuanced and perceptive. Her voice is unique: we get to see India through the eyes of Rachel, a Jewish American, married to Dhruv, and her mother-in-law, Swati.
It’s a tough act to pull off, but Franqui pulls it off. I loved the way the relationship developed between Rachel and Swati. And that’s what is the heart of the book.
It gets messy toward the end with an entirely avoidable interlude. I am all for women loudly proclaiming their sexuality. Still, it was a bit incongruous to think that a closeted woman like Swati would suddenly lust madly for her best friend’s son - she just touching 60 and the son being in his early 30s, I assume. Not that a woman shouldn’t lust after anyone at any age, but given the way this character developed, it was too much a flight of imagination. It led to the novel meandering a bit, and that’s a pity because there’s so much to delight in otherwise. ...more
If there was a 10-star rating, that’s what I would give this book. Sweeping, epic, and a modern masterpiece. This was Dostoevskyian in its acute psychIf there was a 10-star rating, that’s what I would give this book. Sweeping, epic, and a modern masterpiece. This was Dostoevskyian in its acute psychological insight and Tolstoyian in its scope. But Nino Haratischwili in its breathtaking storytelling, sweep, and score.
I started this book on the 1st of January, and it took me 14 days to finish the nearly 1,000 pages. But what a ride. It was exhilarating. It was horrific. It was gripping. It was utterly painful in its grief, poignancy, and beauty. At no stage did the plot falter. There was no let-up in intensity. If there’s a book I would recommend to anyone who loves to read, this is one. Don’t read this if your aim is to add to the Goodreads tally. Read this because you love a good story. Read this because you want to know more about the messy, chaotic world of our emotional landscapes. ...more
If I meet Kao, I want to ask her one important thing: How did you remember so much of your childhood, in such astonishing detail?
I can’t remember whatIf I meet Kao, I want to ask her one important thing: How did you remember so much of your childhood, in such astonishing detail?
I can’t remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, let alone what dress I wore when I was six. So, Kao, help me out here.
It’s hard to rate memoirs. It almost seems insulting. Memoirs are deeply personal and a writer has had the courage to put their lives on screen, on paper for us, and I don’t like assigning these silly stars to such an act of courage.
And courage is what Yang has. I have been to Laos. I had stood at the same Mekong River in Thailand and crossed over to Laos. I did it easily. With freedom. Not like Kao who had to cross under a rain of bullets. And having lived in China, I know exactly how badly the Hmong have been treated there, reduced now to being tourist puppets in select regions.
This is such an important book - the Hmong and the pain inflicted on them needs to reach our consciousness. ...more
A truly magnificent pathbreaking children’s book that doesn’t pussyfoot around race. I thought I knew a bit of racism, but I know nothing, as Jon SnowA truly magnificent pathbreaking children’s book that doesn’t pussyfoot around race. I thought I knew a bit of racism, but I know nothing, as Jon Snow’s pal would tell me. The deep-rooted sense of shame of being black? I could understand that a bit, given how in India you are condemned for not having “fair” skin. I am one of the “lucky” ones with my 'fair' skin evoking privileges that are unfair and unkind.
And then we have a child like Genesis, who is filled with so much self-loathing and would love to do anything to change her skin color to an accepted color. Something about that thought makes me want to cry at this crazy world we have built where the color of our skin can make or mar our lives.
There’s so much to love about this book. It will take a while for me to really understand the depth, but it’s a keeper. ...more
This left me with mixed feelings. It started so well, had such heightened racial tension, and then it just kind of became a romance-driven story. It dThis left me with mixed feelings. It started so well, had such heightened racial tension, and then it just kind of became a romance-driven story. It doesn’t take away how good the writing is, but I do feel that there were lots of things that never reached the heights they could have. Racial tension is the heart of the novel, but then it just subsides into Cedric loving Opal.
The love story was just a bit unbelievable - the two hardly know each other before suddenly professing undying love and crying blood, sweat, and tears. Ok, that might just be my cynical self, but it spoilt an otherwise great book. Spoil is the wrong word, actually. It just could have been a way better book without diverting into romance. I would have been interested in knowing how the town regroups with the simmering black-white tensions. That’s not addressed because well, Cedric loves Opal. I love Cedric, may God heal him, and dear Cedric, let me feed you bone broth, and I will take care of you for the rest of my life... ...more
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