Bharath

This book is kinda like Interstellar of novels. I didn't understand Interstellar that great on my first watch but now, it is a movie that I constantly think about. Similarly, Recursion is one such book.

Recursion by Blake Crouch is, for real, a page turner. If not for my sleepy head, I would have completed this book in a day rather than 2. This is a great take on different timelines. I reread multiple parts of this book to understand it better and I think, this is a book I shall pick up every now and then to completely get the science behind it.

If you like the concept of alternate timelines or alternate lives, this is a book you would definitely love.

Ahh.. this book is a joke. It does not offer what it says it does. Lesser known facets. For someone who knows the Mahabharata, I think the content written is quite familiar already.

Also, there were so many printing and spelling mistakes for a book. Very disappointed.

“What if you are assaulted and you didn't already belong to a male? Was having a boyfriend the only way to have your autonomy respected? Later I'd read suggestions that I cried r*pe because I was ashamed that I had cheated on my boyfriend. Somehow the victim never wins.”

This quote alone summarizes the powerful memoir, Know My Name by Chanel Miller. Let me set up your expectations for this book. This book is less about redemption or healing but more about the torment, the judgement and the criticism Chanel has faced during her quest for justice. She writes about the trauma that was inflicted by not only the perpetrator, Brock Turner but by the judicial system too.

This memoir hit me in the gut. As a guy, I have known the horrors that females face. I hear about these horrors narrated by the media or family. But never through the words of the victim herself. While reading this memoir, I sat down with Chanel Miller and listened to the turmoil that she has gone through and I know that she still would be going through some. I think a few pages in, I dropped the book and checked with my girlfriend. Has she ever had to go through this? A woman being treated as an object. I could do nothing but reassure her that she could tell me anything. There is nothing trivial when it comes to her feelings and her safety and that goes for any woman.

I know that this is less of a review and more of a statement but hey, this is what the memoir made me feel. I will leave you with one last quote from this book and you decide whether you should read this book.

“This time I wondered what behavior was acceptable for a victim. What tone? She warned me not to get angry. I learned that if you're angry, you're defensive. If you're flat, you're apathetic. Too upbeat, you're a suspect. If you weep, you're hysterical. Being too emotional made you unreliable. But being unemotional made you unaffected. How should I balance it all? Calm, I told myself. Collected. But during the hearing I'd lost control. What about when that happens? My DA reminded me that the jury understood what I was doing was hard. Just be yourself, she said. Which self, I wanted to reply.”

Coming from The Song of Achilles, I had high expectations on this retelling of a part of Hindu Mythology and it did not disappoint me. I would recommend this to you in a heartbeat. Of course, T&C apply.

Kaikeyi is a novel written by Vaishnavi Patel in which we hear the story of Kaikeyi, one of the stepmothers of Rama. All my life I have only known her as the “jealous stepmother”. But this book offers more character to her and she might not be what we all perceive.

Now, there are so many new things I learnt from this book. This book challenged my understanding of Ramayana too. But hey, there is no harm in reading multiple perspectives. Vaishnavi Patel did a fantastic job writing this beautiful prose. Her writing is such that you are all ears to hear the story of Kaikeyi and get to the next chapter as soon as possible. What surprised me the most was how Rama was described. Now, I do not know how inconsistent Kaikeyi is with Ramayana, but it does a fantastic job of presenting Kaikeyi's story.

If you are someone who likes to see mythologies in the space of literary fiction, you would like it. I should tell you that this book is not as poetic as The Song Of Achilles. So yeah, that's the only thing I would tell you before you read it. Go for this one. It is a home run!

Funny story on why I read this book. I went to the library and I already picked two books that I wanted to read. For some reason, the number 2 did not sit right with me and I decided to borrow a third book. I jumped into my shelf of ‘must-read-before-i-die' on Goodreads and stumbled upon Sweet Bean Paste.

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa is a beautiful tale of friendship between Senatro, a not-so-happy confectioner and Tokue, a 76-year old woman, who wants to work at Senatro's shop. What begins as a mere employment relationship slowly evolves into a beautiful friendship.

I am rather confused on how exactly to review this book. Its not that there isn't any fluff in it. It's just that this book was an experience that's hard to put into words. I think I would rather write about the aspects I liked and did not.

The aspects I liked in this book was it's simple language yet deep impact. Some authors use wordy words to make an impact on readers and then there are Japanese authors, who for some reason, have this innate ability to leave a deep impact effortlessly. The other aspect I really liked is that the author focused more on the relationship between his two characters rather than dwelling too much into the past. Maybe an underlying message to not care about past much?

Although I enjoyed reading the tale of Sentaro and Tokue, I thought their internal conflicts, especially those of Senatro could have been presented better. I could not empathize or understand Senatro as much as I could with Tokue for the lack of his story. I think that is the only complaint I have.

If you like to read something breezy where nothing phenomenal is happening, where there are no strong plot points but just the interactions of the characters, you would totally enjoy this!

BookTok actually got it right this time. This book left me with such a heavy heart—I just sat there for ten minutes, not moving. If I had been alone, I probably would have cried.

The Song of Achilles is a retelling of a small part of Greek mythology, focusing on two Greek princes: Achilles and Patroclus. Told from Patroclus' perspective, we follow their journey—from their first meeting, to growing up together, to falling in love. Achilles is destined to be the greatest warrior of the Greeks, while Patroclus is... just Patroclus. Their love story begins in Phthia, takes them to Troy, and eventually leads to the Trojan War.

That's all I'll say about the plot. Even though the ending is obvious, I went in with no knowledge of Greek mythology, and the book still hit me hard. Patroclus' narration is beautiful, and Madeline Miller's writing is effortless yet so powerful. Retelling mythology in a way that feels fresh and personal is no easy task, but she absolutely nails it.

You should read this book. No excuses. Don't worry if you're not familiar with mythology—just focus on the love between Patroclus and Achilles, and the forces that try to keep them apart. It's heartbreaking, but so worth it. Now, I will go to the bathroom and weep.

Of all the books sitting on my TBR forever, I'm so glad I finally picked this one up. Huge thanks to the bookstagrammer who recommended it! Here After by Amy Lin is a memoir about grief—raw, honest, and deeply moving.

Amy Lin shares her journey of surviving each day after losing her husband. This book made me teary not once or twice, but multiple times. It made me reflect on grief, something I haven't personally experienced, and on how we rarely think about the moments that shake us to our core until they happen.

If you're someone who likes a strong plot or clear progress, this might not be for you. But if you love books that explore deep human emotions, you might just connect with this one.

I picked this book up because I needed something to listen to while I am not reading any of my literary fiction books. This book surprised me. In a good way. I... really enjoyed it.

We meet Jules and Will, a couple to be married. They choose a far off island to get married. They invite their close friends and family to share their happiness with them. Everything goes well except someone is dead on the wedding day. Who is it? The close friends and the family of the couple carry their own secrets. What has happened? Who killed whom?

I had 0 expectations when I started to listen to the audiobook. The only reason why I listened to this is because I needed a way to pass time rather than scrolling through the never-ending reels. This book is a modern rendition of my favorite, ‘And then there were none' by Agatha Christie. I do not want to compare this book to Agatha Christie's but Lucy Foley delivered. Now, don't build your expectations. It is predictable the way it ends but the unfolding of secrets and how each character's secrets are linked to others is something enjoyable.

I would definitely recommend this to you if you are looking to pass time but not particularly if you do not enjoy multiple perspectives or if you are looking for something out of the box.

I picked this book up solely because Kriti Sachan recommended it. I didn't read the blurb, didn't know what it was about—I just saw “Japanese literature” and went for it. While I liked it, it's not my favorite.

All the Lovers in the Night follows Fuyuko Irie, a 34-year-old proofreader who lives alone and moves through life in a very mechanical way. She's emotionally distant, both from people and herself, making her feel completely detached. As the story unfolds, glimpses of her past emerge, and we see her perspective start to shift. But does it really change? Will she ever truly connect with her emotions?

This book is, at its core, about deep isolation and alienation. Mieko Kawakami does a fantastic job of portraying Fuyuko's state of mind. Written in first person, the narrative allows us to see the world through Fuyuko's eyes, and it's one of the most beautifully written books I've read when it comes to exploring loneliness.

What didn't work for me, though, was the character development. There's a sudden shift in Fuyuko's behavior that felt a little forced, as if it was written just to lead to a certain conclusion. I also felt like the book could've been longer to really flesh out her transformation. One scene in particular—where she sees her reflection and realizes how lifeless she looks—is supposed to be a major moment, as told by many bookstagrammers, in her character arc, but it felt underwhelming. Maybe I just had high expectations.

That said, I'd still recommend this book if you enjoy reading about characters who feel out of place in the world. It's not perfect, but it's a beautifully introspective read.

Only the other day, I was complaining how predictable thrillers have become. But this one filled me with hope that there are still thrillers that need not revolve around a murder.

Before I go to Sleep is the story of a woman, with a condition. Her memory resets every time she sleeps, due to which she does not remember the last 20 years. She lives with her husband, Ben and every morning she wakes up, she is frantic that she is with a stranger but Ben has to explain her every single morning that he is her husband and this is his home. To know why Christine ended up this way, you should read the book and find out.

Ah well. I have had some great time reading it. I read AGGGTM the other day and was complaining that thrillers nowadays seem to always solve a murder. This one was a good change of breeze in thrillers genre for me. This book made me realize that I am specifically interested in Psychological Thrillers.

The only reason why I gave this book a 4 stars is for the first 50% of the book, I felt the book was unnecessarily long and dragging. That is the only complaint. I skipped paragraphs over, paragraphs and not miss any information; that's how much lagging you just might find this book to be.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Gone Girl.

That was a very fast read. Usually, I take some time with any book, be it literary or mystery. But this one, I completed in 2 days. The author Holly Jackson got my attention from the very beginning to the end. I think this will be my first series that I shall ever read I guess.

This is the story of the town Fairview where Andie Bell, a 17 year old went missing and was declared dead upon the death of Sal Singh, the alleged murderer. There was never a confession nor a trial. But just a declaration that Sal Singh was the murderer. Five years later, Pip, a high school student, chooses to unravel the discrepancies in the investigation and for some reason, has a strong belief that Sal is not the murderer. Will Pip unravel the dark secrets in the disappearance and the murders of two high school students? Read to find out.

I think Holly Jackson did a phenomenal job in writing a captivating thriller. Although it has the familiar beats of every other thriller, I enjoyed it because I picked it up with one attention - a book that will make me pick it up rather than the phone and it absolutely delivered on it. This book had you guessing who the murderer was and that's something I like. Although, I found weaker intentions behind Pip's motivation, I think this is a great book.

If you are looking for something fun to read, not work your brain much and something that just captures your attention, you can safely trust me and pick this book up!

I have always wanted to understand Franz Kafka, especially his works. I thought it's better to first read his letter to the father and then dive into his books to fully understand the work.

I hate to rate or review this because how inhumane must you be to rate someone's pain and agony. All I can say is the letter made me reflect on the patterns of, what could be sometimes, a toxic upbringing. It's important for everyone to read this book not only to understand Kafka better but to introspect on any patterns in your family that were passed from one generation to other. Hermann was lucky to not read his son's letter. But how would you feel if your child had written this letter to you? This question made me affirm to be a better father one day.

I bet that this book will make you feel things that you never thought were humanely possible. A story beautifully blended into the history of Afghanistan is something that everyone should read not only for its writing but also for the ignorance we might hold to the atrocities that bud all around us.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is the story of two Afghan women - Mariam and Laila. Spanning across 3 decades is their story of yearning for love, dealing with grief and surviving the political horrors of Afghanistan. I cannot tell anything about the story beyond this. You need to read it. And cry.

Watching the lives of Mariam and Laila, especially Mariam, will make you want to give them a big hug and maybe, just maybe console them it's going to be okay. I am sorry, I cannot write anything more than this as I am genuinely out of words.

This book will not be the same for me knowing that Talibans are ruling over Afghanistan now. You will understand what I mean once you have read the book.

Freedom at Midnight is one of those rare historic, unbiased accounts. I have always wanted to learn about the independence struggle. Have I learnt something new? Yes. Is it what I was expecting? No.

This book begins around 1946-47 when the British have decided to let go of India and give her independence. The drama, the politics and the consequences of the partition are something that's covered in this book. I definitely learnt something but I was expecting to read more on the independence struggle. If you want to learn about the struggles and consequences of the Partition, the role of the princely states and the setup of the first government in Independent India, I definitely recommend this book!

Ahhhh, it was such a long month. I have started two other books and DNF'ed them. I was about to DNF this too. Thankfully, I was able to push through and complete The Shining. And I like it. Like, like it the right amount.

The Shining is the story of a family. Jack and Wendy are the parents of a 5-year old son, Danny. Jack loses his job at a school and is forced to take up a job as a caretaker of the grand, historic hotel, The Overlook. As magnificent as it looks, the hotel holds a dark past. Will the family succumb to the horrors of the hotel? That is the remainder of the story.

Now, the only reason I picked it up is because I have always wanted to watch the movie. So, I am one of the lunatics who needs to read the book before the movie adaptation. Halfway through the book, I realized that the movie is no where near to the book, except for the core.

Talking about the book, this is my first Stephen King's read. He writes very descriptively. I had each and every detail of The Overlook in my head. Although the writing is fantastic, the pace and setup have been rather slow. 3/4th's of the book is taken to establish the influence of The Overlook on the family. It is great pacing but I prefer a faster one maybe? (Thank you, Instagram!)

Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you have been meaning to explore Stephen King. I think it's a great one to begin with. Although, I have heard the movie is much better than the book. More on that, later!

There is this photo that I clicked of myself right after I finished reading the book. I was crying sure but I was so happy. I think that photo alone conveys a lot more than the words I write now.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a story narrated by a dog, Enzo. He is chosen by Denny, who is a car racer. What happens when Enzo and Denny are joined by others such as Eve, his wife and Zoe, his daughter, how Enzo fits into the equation of this family is the remainder of the story.

This book is very personal to me. I have a dog back home and right now, I am so so far away from him. And ironically, today is his birthday. This book is a reminder to everyone that a dog is not a mere pet but a companion in your ups and downs. Even your pets are impacted by the happenings in your life. And sometimes, it is not a human who would teach us how to live but it can be your dog too.

I would totally recommend this to you if you are an animal lover. This is not a very plot-heavy book but surely a heart-touching one. There are so many lessons you learn from the perspective of a dog. On a side note, if you want to read something that involves an animal, I surely recommend The Yearling.

I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud—probably when I was 8 and devouring Enid Blyton's stories. But The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff managed to do just that, and it's been a long time coming!

The story follows Geeta, a woman who's gained a reputation in her village for having “disposed of” her drunkard husband. Though she neither confirms nor denies the rumors, her alleged crime has earned her a status that she secretly enjoys. Life as a widow isn't so bad—until other women in the village begin seeking her “expertise” to get rid of their own problematic husbands. What unfolds is a wildly entertaining mix of dark humor, social commentary, and sharp storytelling.

For a debut, Parini Shroff has done an exceptional job. Writing humor, especially witty and clever humor, is no small feat, and she nails it. The narrative is simple, engaging, and impossible to put down. Every chapter left me eager for the next. Beyond the humor, the book also tackles important themes like untouchability and women's empowerment, adding depth to the hilarity.

While reading, I couldn't help but imagine this story adapted into a crime-comedy film—Keerthy Suresh would be a fantastic Geeta.

If you're looking for a light-hearted yet impactful read, I highly recommend this book. Fans of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman will likely fall in love with The Bandit Queens too. It's a refreshing, unique gem that you shouldn't miss!

After many years, I decided to dive back into the romance genre with Beach Read by Emily Henry. Did it disappoint me? Not exactly—but my expectations for romance novels are admittedly low. Here's my take.

Beach Read is about two authors who find themselves neighbors for three months. Gus writes literary fiction, while January writes “happily ever after” books. Both struggling with writer's block, they strike an unusual deal: Gus will attempt to write a romance, and January will try her hand at literary fiction. But it's not as easy as it sounds. As they navigate their creative challenges, they also confront the tension simmering between them—along with their own personal baggage. Will they fall in love? And can they resolve their individual struggles?

While Emily Henry's writing is undeniably good, this book just wasn't for me. To be fair, the romance genre as a whole isn't my thing. The tensions, hesitations, and misunderstandings between the characters felt unrelatable to me—perhaps because I'm in a serious relationship where things have always been straightforward. I struggled to connect with the characters or the story's emotional beats, which made the experience feel somewhat pointless.

That said, I can see why others might love this book. It's light, entertaining, and perfect for fans of slow-burn romance with a touch of personal growth. But as for me, I'll stick to literary fiction. Apologies to Emily Henry fans—I'm just not the target audience for this one!

This book is a fantastic thriller. It does not have your typical whodunnit plot, which seems to be the premise every thriller being published these days.

First Lie Wins is about a woman named Evelyn Porter. Her childhood did not have some memorable moments rather filled with deceit. Years later, she seems to have a stable life with her boyfriend Ryan Sumner. At least that's what you would think. But, Evelyn Porter isn't her real name. And Ryan isn't her boyfriend but a mere assignment. Her assignment gets locked in jeopardy when she is at crossroads with her past. Why she is with Ryan, who endangers her assignment and why she does what she does is the remainder of the story.

You should definitely read this one for a different take on the thriller genre. I have been bored to death with every thriller book having the central theme of a dead body and who the killer is. Although it has similar plot points throughout, I must say Ashley Elston has done a commendable job in captivating the readers from the get-go. It does not have any mind-blowing twists but it is definitely worth a read!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors is an absolute gem and my first book by this amazing author. It's a heartfelt story about four sisters, each grappling with their own struggles. Despite their differences—and occasional resentments—their bond remains unshaken, serving as a lifeline through life's challenges.

The narrative begins a year after the tragic death of Nicky, one of the sisters. Her loss has left a void in their lives, yet they've all been trying to move forward, albeit unhappily. On the first anniversary of her passing, their mother decides to sell Nicky's flat and asks the sisters to visit one last time to take anything they'd like to keep. For the sisters, this decision feels like losing one of the last tangible connections to Nicky. As they gather, the story delves into how her death has shaped their lives and whether any of them have truly had the chance to grieve.

I picked up Blue Sisters based on recommendations from Goodreads and Fable, and it exceeded my expectations. The interplay between the sisters reminded me of Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, but Blue Sisters offers a sweeter, less existential take on similar themes. What I loved most was the realistic portrayal of how Nicky's loss reverberates through each sister's life. The character development is beautifully done, and Mellors' writing is accessible, making this a perfect pick for beginners and seasoned readers alike.

If you're looking for a wholesome, emotionally resonant book that isn't overly heavy, Blue Sisters is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended!

I picked this book up because of the name, Kazuo Ishiguro. I knew he was a famous author and I knew that he is a Nobel Laureate. That's it. This is the first time I ever picked his book up and I am not disappointed.

This story is set in an undisclosed time period and I would like to believe it as future. Klara is a robot and branded as AF (Artificial Friend) built to accompany kids. Klara stands apart from the other AF's, she has extraordinary observational skills. One day she is acquired by Mrs. Arthur to be the AF of her daughter, Josie. Now what happens after Klara goes into the new household is something you should read and find out.

Now, the blurb of the book does not do justice describing what the book is about. I consider it as a Literary Fiction though regarded as Science Fiction by many. It deals with many themes such as love, ethics and character growth. This is science fiction in a very vague way. If I should say something that best describes the book, I would say this is the story of two characters that want the something. However, they are polar opposites in their achieving it. One pleads and bargains with God and the other takes matters into his/her own hands. Anything more I say, will spoil it for you.

I should warn you that to completely understand and appreciate the writing behind this, what seems to be but is not, vague book, you should read slower and reflect every once in a while. That's how I enjoyed the story. And after reading what others think about this book, I could not not appreciate the genius in Kazuo Ishiguro.

This book is the longest I have ever taken to complete a thriller book. Although it was an enjoyable read, I have few problems with this book. Here's about the book and why this doesn't make into my ‘mystery-thriller recs' list.

Anna is a psychoanalyst who lives alone, all by herself. While being separated from her husband and her daughter, she also deals with agoraphobia - a condition due to which she cannot step out of the house. She is The Woman in the Window, the one who spies on the neighbors as a way to pass her time. One day, the Russells move into her neighborhood and mistakes them for a regular family. One night, she hears a scream from the Russells and sees something she shouldn't have. However, she is not taken seriously because of her medications and she is left to ask herself, ‘Has it really happened or is she crazy?'


On paper, this book has an interesting premise. However, the biggest setback for me is the pace of the book. When I pick up a thriller book, I expect it to be fast-paced, if not fast-paced, I would like to see the story to progress. However, the author takes about 40% of the book to setup the characters. I mean, I understood the dynamics and their stories in the first 20% maybe. (Yeah, I read it on Kindle. Thats why the %'s). Apart from that, I think it has everything that a thriller should have-except the pace.

If you like a slow burner, I would definitely recommend this to you. But if you are someone like, who pick up thriller to have more of a quick read, I would not recommend this to you. I had to push myself to read this book until the actual plot started and once the plot took off, there were no complaints!

This is my second book by Backman and after reading this, I can pick up Backman's works with no hesitations whatsoever.

Anxious People is about a group of strangers held hostage by a confused bank robber who does a terrible job at both robbing and holding them hostage. To make the situation worse, we have a group of strangers who are unapologetically vocal and demanding and also, do not know how to handle the secrets and grievances they hold. Now, throw in a pair of policemen, who only want to narrow down on the bank robber. You end up with a very witty and a breezy novel, Anxious People.

I previously read A Man Called Ove and I absolutely loved that one. And this book is equally good (maybe a bit exaggerated, but hey! This is really good too). Backman excelled in completing the arcs of each character and I am content when I have such a complete completion (you read that right! Complete completion). The translation by Neil Smith is on point too. I really loved the opening chapter and the ending chapter. It was a full circle and I think this book has one of the most memorable first and last chapters. It just made me want to tear the pages of the book and stick it to the wall. (of course, I cannot do that since I borrowed this book from my public library)

If you are looking for something easy to read and leave you with a smile in the end, I would totally recommend this. In fact, if you are gearing up for a holiday read, this is a perfect choice!

This is a beautiful story between the Housekeeper and the Professor. One day, the Housekeeper is employed to take care of a maths professor who is in his 60's. Although he doesn't have any physical ailments, he has a condition-his memory resets every 80 minutes. Yes. Exactly 80 minutes. Now, how the Professor manages his life, what kind of impact the Housekeeper leaves on him and what happens when the Housekeeper's 10 year old son who builds a friendship with the forgetting Professor is something you should read for yourself.

I absolutely loved it. I devoured it in like 3 or 4 sittings. This is a very easy and engaging read with only 180 pages. Although the author doesn't dwell much on each character's history, you would not feel disconnected. This book will leave you with smiles, tears and grief too. It is not really sad but yeah, you get it!

If you love A Man Called Ove, I am sure you would love this one too!

Lucky for me, my public library had this book the day it was released, and I grabbed it immediately—for one reason: Murakami.

This story follows the journey of a 17-year-old boy who falls in love with a 16-year-old girl. She tells him about a mysterious town where time has no meaning. In this place, the boy is a librarian, and the girl works in the same library. But she reveals a strange truth: she's not her “real” self, only a shadow of her true self, who resides in the timeless town. The boy doesn't question her, which leads her to confide these secrets. Then, one day, she vanishes, and his quest to find her begins.

While the blurb offers a glimpse, it doesn't do justice to the magic of this story—you really have to read it to experience it. Similar to Kafka on the Shore, this novel revolves around themes of shadows, lost love, and libraries, all wrapped in Murakami's signature magical realism. However, I found the writing here to be simpler and easier to grasp compared to some of his other works. The characters feel vivid and relatable, and the air of mystery keeps you engaged throughout.

I do have one small gripe: there's a character arc that I struggled to understand in relation to the story. While I appreciate Murakami's style of leaving connections open to interpretation, this one left me puzzled.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. That said, some readers might find it too familiar, especially if they've read Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (which I haven't). If you loved Kafka on the Shore, there's a good chance you'll appreciate this one too.