Q/A with Anita Jari Kharbanda, author of Lioness of Punjab, on reimagining the life of a revered female Sikh warrior, integrating religion and culture, and the longing of a community to write stories about the past.
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Mango, Marriage, Menu — 10 South Asian Books Out In April 2023
April is here—is earth rotating a little too fast?—and it brings with it some interesting South Asian releases. There are quite a few series instalments, from middle-grade adventures to dark fantasy sagas. The domestic backdrop of suspense stories is calling and romances are playing out on cruises and takeaway notes. For the first time, such…
Read More“I wanted to tell a version where [Kaikeyi’s] actions were not motivated by spur of the moment jealousy, but rather decisions based on her life experiences.”
Q/A with Vaishnavi Patel, author of Kaikeyi, on reimagining the life of an infamous queen from a Hindu epic, giving voice to a female perspective, and exploring motherhood and destiny in her debut.
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Murder Mystery, Love Triangle, and 1970s Paris — 10 South Asian Books Out In March 2023
March is looking excellent for all the South Asian books releasing this month. There seems to be something for everyone, from fun romance to murder mystery. Rajani LaRocca’s follow up to the Newbery Honor Book, Red, White, and Whole is exciting as it brings twin sisters and music and prose and poetry together. Balli Kaur…
Read MoreMihir From ‘Fantasy Book Critic’ Recommends Six Must-Read Fantasy Books That Use Indian Mythology
Mihir, from ‘Fantasy Book Critic’ shares six fantasy novels inspired by Indian mythology and lore that can be a great introduction to the Indian fantasy space for non-desi readers.
Read More“[Kaikeyi] pushes a third wave white feminist, Judeo-Christian agenda on an ancient South Asian society without understanding the nuances and structures within it.”
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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Asian Heritage Month — 12 Middle Grade Books By South Asian Authors
May is all about Asian books! Here are twelve recent South Asian middle grade books for all readers.
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