Inosh K Rukman, elaborates on how Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel doesn’t live up to their expectations, in what aspects, and how such criticism for a highly recommended book (a reimagining of the Hindu epic Ramayana) should also have space to exist.
Read MoreMaya Prasad Shares The Recipe For Romance: A Charm Spell & Also Recommends Rom-Com Books
Maya Prasad, author of Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things, share what is the perfect recipe for romance, the charm spells romance writers can cast, and rom-com books to check out.
Read More“In the context of exotic vistas, I seek to be a humble merchant of tales, eager to give the world a glimpse of our desi riches”
Gourav Mohanty, the author of Sons of Darkness, on writing a story set in re-imagined Vedic India, the last unexplored genre of Indian literature, and inspiration behind this debut grimdark fantasy.
Read More“There have definitely been ups and downs, but I always remind myself that first and foremost, [writing] has to bring me joy in order to keep doing it”
Romi Moondi, the author of 24 Hours in Paris, on her journey to being published and what inspires her to write strong women leads — a South Asian slant on the rom-com.
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Bright Ruined Things: Samantha Cohoe Creates An Average Magical 1920s Fantasy that Features Spirits, Secrets, and a Determined Heroine
It’s no surprise that young adult characters are sometimes judged from a mature, experienced lens for decisions that are very much based on their ‘young’ age. So I always set a reminder for myself while reading YA books: don’t judge the protagonist too much for their choices and simply comment on them from the story’s…
Read MoreEvery Variable of Us: Charles A. Bush Lets Young Characters Be Messy and Flawed While Exploring Individual Queer Journeys
We’ve often come across opinions about adult readers being a target audience for young adult books or not. Of course, the demographic is meant for the young readers but with the growing space for more YA books, a lot of stories might read like it’s meant for those who were teenagers. While all sorts of…
Read MoreThe Wonders: Elena Medel Boldly Interprets Class Hardships & Trauma Through the Lives of Three Spanish Women
This debut novel in English by the Spanish poet feels like a collection of short stories that weave back and forth through time. Attempting to bypass and often unknowingly giving in to intergenerational trauma, two working-class women try creating lives of their own for freedom from patriarchal constrictions, financial hardships, and everlasting grief, while these…
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05 New Mystery & Thriller Books of May 2022
The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson(Delacorte Press, May 03) Alice’s five-day disappearance used to be the biggest scandal in Castle Cove—until her ex-boyfriend is accused of murdering his new girlfriend, and Alice must pair up with her tutor to clear his name by using the wisdom of the mystery queen herself. Karen M.…
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Can’t Resist Her: Kianna Alexander Lets the Characters Shine Individually in This Sapphic Romance
There’s something to be said about readers often and rightly complaining about the lack of stories featuring Black characters that don’t revolve around racism, but not supporting tales that actually centre Black love and their families, heritage, and inner conflicts. Can’t Resist Her quickly unravels a second-chance romance with excellent steamy scenes, great potential for…
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A River Enchanted: Rebecca Ross Explores Music, Myths, and the Meaning of Home in This Scottish-Inspired Fantasy
Some books really force you to decide what you like more: a fast-paced plot or a slowly-evolving character arc. A River Enchanted gives you enough reasons to go with the latter. Fantasy books, especially when not in the the young adult demographic, are often expected to let a complex plot, an extensively built world, and…
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