Monthly Favourites: May 2020.

Hello! 

Another month is over and what an inordinately long month this has felt like. 

Seriously, some of the things that happened in the beginning of the month feel like they happened in another lifetime. 

I have quite a few favourite things from this month, so let's get started. 

1. Favourite Web Series: This was a month of binge watching things and losing myself in another world. I honestly watched more than I read this month, which is not my usual normal. But in this new normal it's sure been nice to just quiet my mind and find a story, a world beside mine to concentrate on. 

Paatal Lok was pretty much the best thing I watched all month. It's so good. Dark and hard to watch at times but so is our reality. All the buzz is justified. Please watch it if you haven't already. 

Never Have I Ever was a happy revelation. I know everyone kept buzzing about this since it came out, but I am not big on romance or desi stories in America. But this one really made me happy and laugh and connect with Devi and her shenanigans. A fun way to spend my day. I am totally Team Ben,  Paxton is hot but Ben is smart, kind and rich..God I sound like a desi aunty myself but Devi, pick the rich boy! 

:) 

2. Reading: I read in spurts and stops this month. I went a whole week without reading a single word. Which never happens to me. I am always, always reading. But it kinda felt good to let a week go by without finding my next read. 

Then I read 3 books in 3 days. 

I've read some 10 books this month...not my best but I did read some incredible books, which is always a good thing be. 

Also I treated myself to some new ebooks both in the beginning of the month and the end, all thanks to Harper Collins having very generous ebook sales. 

I think I bought around 16 or 17 books in total. 

Yay! 

3. Favourite Food- Black Chana Chaat: As per normal, well new normal, most of our food is being cooked at home. One of my favourite things to eat all month, given how awfully hot it's been has been this super quick, easy, healthy and delicious chaat. 

All you need is boiled black chana, boiled potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, pomegranate, lemon juice and a sweet and tangy tamarind chutney. 

Mix all things together and spice with salt, pepper, black salt and a little red chilli powder. 

This makes my chatkari heart so happy. 

:) 

Plus it's perfect for days when you don't want to sweat and cook something in a hot kitchen. 

The other thing I've loved eating this month is this chicken soup, the recipe is from the family tea gardens and while its amazing to eat bowlfuls of it in the cold weather, it was not perfect for a hot May day but it was still delicious. 

4. Writing: After absolute ages I went back to writing this month. I didn't write a whole lot but I started up again and picked up where I left off and it felt so good! Seriously, I don't even know why I stop, this lazy or unmotivated shit needs to go. I am hoping to write more in June and maybe even finish my nearly done novel. 

Wish me luck. 

5. My Makeshift Bed: Since the beginning of May, ever since it got too hot to handle. I moved myself to my living room full time. I slept in my bedroom, which has been AC-less thanks to my AC dying days after the lockdown started, for as long as I could. But May in Bombay is no joke, so reluctantly, I moved bed, pillows and plushie to the living room, where I've made myself a dinky bed set up. It's actually quite cozy and I have been sleeping well. Plus it's right by my books so colour me pleased. 

6. Retro Films and TV Shows: This month has been all about letting nostalgia make me feel better. Things from re-watching old films and 90s Doordarshan TV shows have helped way more than brand new content. 

Things I've Loved: 

Karz

Gumnaam 

Kashish 

Flop Show 

&

Raaz, well it's not the oldest but it still made me happy. 

7. Hindi Film Roasts on YouTube: The one thing that's made me laugh the hardest this month have been YouTube Channels that roast bad Hindi films. 

Yogi Baba. 

Only Desi. 

Both these folks make hilarious videos talking about some seriously strange Hindi films. 

There is quite a bit if swearing, so if you are sensitive to that maybe don't watch but if you love all things Bollywood and bad Bollywood films. Please go check them out. 

My other favourite things were

Mother's Day 

Afternoon Naps 

Pomegranates 

Cold Showers 

Video Calls with my Parents

Iced-Coffee 

Chai and Biscuits 

Kaeri 

Haircuts at Home 

Goodbye May.

Thank you for the small joys. 

I hope you guys had a decent-ish month too. 

:) 

10 Reasons To Watch Paatal Lok Right Now

We just finished binge-watching Paatal Lok on Amazon Prime Video and here are our 10 reasons why this web series is an absolute must-watch!

1. Paatal Lok is a layered and nuanced cop drama. The basic premise of the show centres around the four hired "killers", who are arrested by the Delhi Police for an assassination attempt case just as they were leaving the city. The case is then handed over to the inexperienced local thana inspector, Hathi Ram Choudhry, who, along with his rookie junior, Imran Ansari, sets about to solve this case and get to the bottom of who these four hired guns are and who hired them to kill a top, honest journalist.

2. So, while Paatal Lok sounds like a thriller or a whodunnit it is so much more! It is a searing reflection of our times- of the harsh reality of caste politics, of religious discrimination, of dirty politics and it shines a light on the privilege of urban, middle-to-upper-middle class Indians, who live in a cocoon, blissfully unaware of the horrifying reality of those living in the urban underbelly.

3. This web series has done an excellent job of building interesting and real characters. Our cop, Hathi Ram Choudhry, played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat, is a jaded, cynical guy, who has been a cop for over 20 years. He is assigned to a thana way out in the boonies that he himself classifies as paatal lok (hell), where the incidence of crime is high, but this is the kind of crime that does not make for interesting headlines because it involves the poor and the marginalised sections of our society. This attempted murder case is the first big, important case that Hathi Ram is in-charge of and he wants to do his very best to prove to himself that he has what it takes to be a good cop. Hathi Ram's honest efforts to get to the bottom of the case makes you want to cheer for him even though he is far from perfect. He is not the best father, he is not a sensitive cop.. he is very much a product of growing up in a paatal lok of his own, but as he goes through the rigour of solving this case, he earns our grudging respect and support.

4. Hathi Ram's deputy, Imran Ansari is an interesting character. He is a young Muslim cop in a country where, especially lately, being Muslim is very othering. He has to grit his teeth when a superior uses a racial slur for a Muslim criminal. He has to be quiet and nod along as people around him refer to Muslims as "those people". We really liked how casual Islamophobia has been depicted in this series, especially, in work environments. Ansari is just such a wonderful character and I am sure everyone was rooting for him!

5. The Mehras- Sanjeev (the intended victim) and his wife Dolly- seemed to live in swarg lok (heaven). Their posh neighbourhood, beautiful house, great lifestyle and even Dolly's anxiety and Buddhist chanting was just so removed from the reality of the other characters on the show. Sanjeev Mehra, especially, has an interesting journey and I don't want to say too much about what that journey entailed because I don't want to spoil the series for you!

6. The four hired guns were so brilliantly etched out and each of their backstories have been pulled out of the very nasty reality of our times across urban and rural India. Some of these stories will break your heart, some will make you so angry and some will just make you feel so helpless at your own privilege. But each of these stories are important and they highlight issues that we simply cannot ignore! For this reason alone, watch this series!

7. The look-and-feel of this series is so real and atmospheric. Each and every frame is so nicely curated and real that it is such a welcome change from what we have to put up with on our TV screens in the form of Hindi (and regional) serials! Whether it is the Mehra's world of posh garden parties or plush media offices or Hathi Ram's middle-class home or Ansari's home in a congested "Muslim area" or the prison- each and every location, setting and frame is so exquisitely crafted and brought to life. None of this feels made up.

8. The performances are top notch! Jaideep Ahlawat as Hathi Ram  is brilliant. So is Abhishek Banerjee as Vishal Tyagi and Neeraj Kabi as Sanjeev Mehra. Ishwank Singh as Ansari, Gul Panag as Hathi Ram's wife and the actors playing the hired killers are also very, very good. Watch this series for the team's fantastic performances!

9. While we've read some reviews, who felt that the show was a bit slow paced, but we quite liked the overall flow of the investigation. Everything that was shown in the series was connected to the investigation and we needed to go through those scenes and episodes to better understand the reason why these hired guns were sent after Sanjeev Mehra. There are a few sub-plots apart from the central investigation- Hathi Ram's family drama and the dynamics between Sanjeev and Dolly- but these are a welcome break from the intensity of the case and are also central to the overall narrative.

10. DOGS. If you know, you know ;)

Finally, we can't close this review in all good faith without declaring a MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING. This show has many different kinds of traumatic situations and a lot of violence and gore. So, if any of these things are triggering for you or if you are not in a good mental health place right now, then don't watch this show.

If you do find yourself in the right frame of mind for an engaging, nuanced thriller, then go watch Paatal Lok right now on Amazon Prime Video.

Book Review: Murder in Shimla by Bulbul Sharma

Book: Murder in Shimla

Author: Bulbul Sharma

Pages: 304

Publisher: Speaking Tiger Books

Read on: Kindle

Read in: 3-4 hours

Plot Summary: When, at the height of World War II, an uninvited guest arrives at a dinner party at Chartsville Hall, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner’s house in Shimla, the lives of its inmates are thrown into turmoil. Especially when the guest is blonde and beautiful—and found dead in her bed the next morning.

Who is Rosa Rodriguez and why did she come to Chartsville Hall? In the answer to that question lies the key to solving the murder. Inspector Ram Sen sets about diligently finding it, ably assisted by the redoubtable Mrs Tweedy, who knows everything that goes on in Shimla, though she hardly ever leaves her little cottage.

The line-up of suspects includes William Parker-Smith, the seemingly bland and boring Assistant Deputy Commissioner, his wife Helen, a very pukka English memsahib, and his acid-tongued sister, Emily; the gin-swilling Rani Sahiba of Manon and her dashing ADC, Johnny Singh; and a disgruntled domestic staff, led by Matilda, Helen’s faithful ayah.

Which of them had a hand in Rosa’s murder—and why? As Ram Sen and Mrs Tweedy, with help from William’s gentle niece, Mary, and Boris, the taciturn Russian, unravel the mystery, they are led into the murky world of the Lower Mall, of drug dealers and opium addicts, spies and assassins.

Things I Liked: 

1. The premise of this book seemed really interesting. The setting of Shimla during the Second World War was interesting for multiple reasons, the primary being, what was going through the minds of the British in India? The country was rapidly slipping out of their grasp as the Freedom Struggle had reached a fever pitch, England was not doing so well in the War and the future of the Empire itself was mired in uncertainty. So, this whole period makes for an interesting setting of a murder mystery because there are multiple elements at play here. 

2. The world building of pre-Independence Shimla is interesting. Ram Sen, an Indian police officer, investigating a murder in a sahib's house is looked down upon and barely tolerated by the family members. Also, there is the distinction between the posh, white world of the Upper Mall and the more squalid, gritty and burning-with-nationalistic-fervour world of the Lower Mall. So, the contrast between these two worlds and Ram Sen's precarious position in both of them was nicely done. 

3. There were a few decent red herrings in this story. Multiple people with possible motives for murdering the mysterious Rosa Rodriguez. Always nice when that happens in a mystery book. There is Rosa's own mysterious past and possibly someone from there who'd have wanted her dead and, then again, there could be a reason that one or many members of the Parker-Smith household may have had a reason to kill her. 

4. I loved Mrs. Tweedy! She is a Shimla old-timer. Her husband used to be a pastor and she has lived in Shimla almost all her life and knows everyone and everything that goes on. She also has a sharp mind and her collaborating with Ram (they have a little book club where they read Dickens) in solving this murder adds a lot to the story. I have always wondered about the Indian-born and raised British- did they think of England (where they'd never been) as their home? Or was, in so many ways, India their home? Where did they even belong? 

5. The book is well-written and fast-paced and there is never a dull moment. Even when Ram is mulling over his own life and past, it feels like a natural part of the narrative and is not boring. 

6. There is a nice twist in the end, which you may not see coming, but is quite nicely done! 

Things I Didn't Like:

1. The motive for Rosa's murder was quite obvious to me (not bragging, but I do read a LOT  of murder mysteries and so, I tend to guess these things) in the very first or second chapter, which bummed me out a bit. But, don't let that deter you from reading the book. It is not obvious at all!

Rating: 4/5 

Quarantine Comforts: Some Happy Books to Read Right Now.

Hello! 

Even in ordinary circumstances, books are my solace. When life seems unbearable or even mildly inconvenient, I turn to books to pull me out of my world and transport to somewhere, anywhere else. 

So when the world is a hot mess, like it is right now, of course I find comfort in my shelves, in stories and people having a much better time than any of us. 

Especially now, books are my everything. Well, books and Vim Liquid...my jhadu and my magical skinny mop...but books are right there on the top of my list..I promise.

I also think that now is perfect time to read happy books. 

Books full of joy, heart warming characters, fuzzy feelings and just oodles and oodles of comfort. Hence this post. 

A post dedicated solely to some Happy Book Recommendations. 

I will say though, I don't often read that many happy books. 

Murder.

Mayhem.

Moodiness. 

:) 

Angst. 

History. 

I am quite surprised that I could even come up with this list, it did take me an age to think of these titles though. 

:) 

So here we go....

HAPPY BOOKS TO READ DURING THE QUARANTINE: 

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Barrows: This BOOK! This freaking BOOK..has my whole heart. It's a thing of beauty. Warm, heart-felt, moving, sad, joyful and just fuzzy and full fo the nicest and kindest people you could think. Also features a writer, an usual book club, war and a love story that just warms the cockles of my heart. 

The Netflix movie was that bad too. The books is of course wayyyyyyyyyy better. If you haven't read this, please do. 

You absolutely need to read it this instance. 

I loved it so much that it's one of those rare instances where I read in on my Kindle and still bought a physical copy because my shelves needed to have it.

I read back in 2014 and here's a review.  

Plot Summary: To give them hope she must tell their story.

It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book – she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books – and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.

2. Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick: Another book that though not entirely, giddily happy still managed to leave my crying happy tears. A book full of good people and kindness and heart. It was a quick read that I think I read in one sitting and loved so much. It also has a doggo, which makes any book a million times better. I read it back in 2014 and reviewed it HERE.  

Plot Summary: Amber Appleton has a lot to be thankful for.

OR 

Amber Appleton has never had it easy.

Both are true. On the one hand, she's got the best friends a seventeen year old could ask for and a loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy. On the other, her mum frequently has too much to drink, Amber's never quite sure where her next meal will come from and ever since her mum's latest boyfriend kicked them out, Amber and her mum have been living in the back of a school bus.

Amber has always found it easy to be upbeat, to find the light in the darkest of situations. Until, that is, an unimaginable tragedy occurs. Forced to rethink her way of life, can Amber remain a rock star of hope?

This is the story of a very special teenager, whose faith and hope is tested to the limit.

3. The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary: This book is just mushy and lovely and heart warming and who couldn't do with some romance in their lives right now? Huh? This book is full of sweetness and love and good people. It's fun and light and perfect to sink into right now. 

Plot Summary: Tiffy and Leon share a flat

Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met...

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they're crazy, but it's the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy's at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. 

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven't met yet, they're about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window.

4. Ruskin Bond Books: Seriously, this man puts so much heart and love in his stories that reading his books always lifts my mood. Comfort and love and just bucketloads of heart. His children's books are always delightful, as are his spooky tales and stories of love and longing. I cannot think of a better time to escape to the hills with Ruskin Bond for company. 

5. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion: A love story with a twist. Funny, fuzzy and full of wonderful moments this was such a happy book to spend time with. Read my full review Here. 

Plot Summary: Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

6. The Collected Works of A.J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin: Books about books and bookshops are their own kind of wonderful and basically my bookish kryptonite. I will never pass up on the chance to read a book about books and booksellers, I think it's my heart's deepest desire to someday run a bookshop of my own, while that may or not may not happen, I can at least vicariously live that life via books. 

Read my rave review HERE. 

Plot Summary: On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love. 

7. The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn: Ah! Ah! Ah! 

British. 

Regency. 

Love. 

Romance. 

Sexy times. 

Whats not to love!? 

There are 7 books in this series based in the same family and all of these books are amazing and engaging and full of pyaar. Even if you aren't a big romance reader, these books will still win you over. God, I haven't read them in years and I want to find them right now and re-read them. 

These books are about to be adapted into a Netflix series and I CANNOT WAIT! 

8. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: A good old-fashioned rom-com! My sister and I read and enjoyed this book last year and highly recommend it if you are looking for something romantic to read. 

Here's a brief plot summary:

Olive is always unlucky; her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. While she's about to marry her dream man, Olive is forced to play nice with her nemesis: the best man, Ethan.

Yet Olive's luck may be on the turn . . . When the entire wedding - except for Olive and Ethan - gets food poisoning, there's an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs. Putting their mutual hatred aside, Olive and Ethan head for paradise. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him spirals out of control.

Forced to play loving newlyweds, she and Ethan find themselves in closer proximity than they ever expected. Soon, Olive finds that maybe she doesn't mind pretending. In fact, she's beginning to feel kind of . . . lucky.

9. Left from the Nameless Shop by Adithi Rao: This is such a lovely heartwarming book with wonderful people in it! Just the perfect kind of book to read while we are social distancing and quarantining! We loved this book and have reviewed it here. Read, read, read! 

10. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin: This book broke my heart a little bit. It is a sweet little story about afterlife and offers a unique perspective on the cycle of life and death. I've reviewed it here. 

Hope you find something that you liked here! 

Have a great weekend, guys! 

Monday Mood: Life Lately - Books + Stationery + Sunsets + Milkshakes.

My sister's beautiful Hobonichi Techo and a glimpse into her pencil bag. 

Journaling is such a good way to deal with all the uncertainty and angst of right now. 

My favourite time of day. 

Seriously, the only thing I like about summer in Bombay are the glorious sunsets and the blue skies and the mad beautiful sunshine. 

Also, loving how cute and utterly ridiculously my bed looks like now. 

Rose Milkshake. 

All you need is..

Milk

Vanilla Ice-Cream 

Rose Sherbat 

Throw it all in a blender and mix mix mix. 

Add a couple of ice-cubes if you want your milkshake extra chilled. 

What my sister and I read over the weekend. 

I read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, this is pick for Reese Witherspoon's book club. It sounded right up my alley. 

Plot Summary: Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…

Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

I read it pretty much all weekend long and really enjoyed this world, it's people and seeing Lakshmi's often riddled with challenges life. 

Rating: 4/5 

The Murder Game by Rachel Abbott: My sister read this book in like one sitting over the course of an evening. 

Plot Summary: A year ago today, we all gathered for Lucas's wedding at his glorious Cornish home overlooking the sea.

But no one was married that day.

Now Lucas has invited us back to celebrate the anniversary. But the anniversary of what? The wedding that never happened, or the tragedy that occurred just hours before the ceremony was due to begin?

He's told us that tonight he has planned a game. We have our costumes, we have our parts, and everyone must play. The game, he tells us, is about to begin.

What does Lucas want from us? What are we not being told? And what's going to happen when this terrible game is over?

My sister loved this book. It was unputdownable. She'll be doing a full review on here very soon. 

More sunset scenes. 

Hope you are doing well. 

My plan for the rest of today is to pick a new book to read. 

Clean all my grocery items that are getting delivered today. 

Make sambhar. 

Make my living room bed nook more cozy and comfortable. 

Write a little bit. 

Hope this Monday is treating you well. 

:) 

Vignettes: Here and Now.

The Here is not where I'd thought I'd be.

None of us did. 

It's not perfect. 

It's hard and getting harder still. 

But there is nothing we can do but sit tight and try to find comfort in the things we find ourselves surrounded with. 

For me here is Home. 

A home full of books, day dreams, trinkets, stationery, dry flowers and memories of happier days. 

Here is where I am.

And where I hide. 

Some glimpses of home. 

A shelf of mostly Maa's things. 

Little delicate figurines I have grown up around and spend most of my childhood scared of breaking into a million little pieces. 

:( 

The little damsel in the lilac dress I did accidentally drop and behead but thanks to the magic of glue and my sister's nifty skills she was brought back from the dead.

And I saved from a scolding of a lifetime! 

Llama Love. 

A beautiful and happy corner of home. 

This little guy always makes me smile. 

He holds some of my silver everyday rings that I take off to do the dishes. 

Llama Drama is from Chumbak. 

An old Snapple bottle repurposed as a vase. 

The delightful print is from a an old calendar dedicated solely to old times Victorian desserts. One of my sister's bosses in the US had gifted it to her knowing her love for baking and baked goods. 

Don't these sound decadent? 

Chocolate is love! 

I hope you are well, as well as one can be. 

Hang in there. 

We'll be fine..eventually. 

Book Review: The Stranger's Wife by Anna-Lou Weatherley

Book: The Stranger's Wife

Author: Anna-Lou Weatherley

Pages: 288

Read on: Kindle

Read in: ~ 3-4 hours 

Plot Summary:

Beth and Cath are leaving their husbands. 

This is a story about two very different women.

One is wealthy and having an affair with a man who gives her the kind of love that her cold, detached husband does not.

One is living hand to mouth, suffering at the hands of a violent partner who would rather see her dead than leave him.

You may think you know these women already and how their lives will unfold.  

Beth will live happily ever after with her little girl and her soulmate.

Cath will go back to her abusive husband.

And these two women will never cross paths. 

But you will be wrong. 

On the 3.15pm train from London to Bristol, Beth and Cath are about to meet and discover they share one shocking thing in common.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book has depictions of domestic violence and emotional abuse, control and gaslighting. If these things trigger you in any way, do not pick up this book. 


Things I Liked: 

1. I picked up this book because of its interesting premise. The story of two women from diametrically different socio-economic strata but going through the same pain seemed really interesting and it was! The book does a good job of establishing that abuse and control and toxic relationships can look very different but they have the same soul-crushing effect on the women in them. So, while Cath's partner- Saul- is a garden variety drug addict and wife beater, Beth's wealthy husband- Evan- is a controlling psychopath. Interesting to how these two different types of abuse and mechanisms of control exist and cause similar devastation for the women in these relationships. 

2. Both Beth and Cath's stories are interesting, though the focus is more on Beth because a couple of deaths are connected to her life. The characters are well etched out and as a reader you feel both the women's pain and frustration at being in their awful situations. 

3. There are a couple of twists, which are nicely done. The blurb tells us that Beth and Cath have something in common and so, you keep wondering what that could be. The reveal was, well, interesting. (Sorry, trying not to spoil the book.)

4. This book is the 3rd in the Detective Dan Riley series, but, for all intents and purposes, you can very well treat this as a stand-alone and read it. Always a good thing when books in a series, especially, crime fiction can be stand-alone. I liked Dan as a character- he is bright with good cop instincts and has great integrity. He sees what others miss and is unafraid to go after influential people. 

5. The resolution was most satisfying! Always a good thing when that happens! 

Things I Didn't Like: 

1. This book is told from three perspectives- Beth's, Cath's and Dan's. Also, this book moves back and forth in time between present day (fall of 2019) and various points in spring-summer 2018. So, you have 2 timelines, 3 narrators, which is all a bit of a hodgepodge! Sometimes, I would just forget where we are in the story because the narrative was so muddled up. It took me a while to get used to the author's style of storytelling. But, it could've been done better! 

Rating: 3.5/5 

Quarantine Comforts: Retro Doordarshan TV Serials

Hello, hello!
I hope the Lockdown (round 3 this time!) is treating you well!
I hope you are physically and mentally well and are managing to find food to eat and entertainment to keep yourself engaged whilst cooling your heels at home! Basically, I hope you are safe and healthy!

My sister and I have been re-watching some wonderful and, might I add, recently uploaded to YouTube, classic Doordarshan serials from the 1980s.

For any non-desi readers, Doordarshan is India's public/ government broadcaster. Before the advent of cable TV in India, which happened with the onset of the Gulf War in 1990, Doordarshan or DD was the only entertainment option for TV viewers all over the country. Surprisingly, it turned out some very high quality, progressive, "modern" content. Don't believe me? Watch some of these shows that I am recommending below and see for yourself! *grin*

1. Trishna is the best Indian adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. If you are a fan of the book, watch this TV show and you won't be disappointed! Here is the link to Episode 1. The other episodes will show up as 'Watch Next'. Enjoy!

2. Farmaan: Based on an Urdu novel called Alampanah, Farmaan is a love story meets family drama all rolled into one. It is based in a royal family in Hyderabad and is just such a fun, yet rich serial in terms of complicated family dynamics, a love triangle, interesting family histories etc. You can watch Episode 1 here.

3. Kashish: Once again, a great love story from the late 80s/ early 90s. Starring Sudesh Berry and Malvika Tiwari, this is a story of love between two unlikely people set agains the backdrop of Bollywood/ TV serial land. You can watch Episode 1 here.

4. Flop Show: Changing tracks, we now bring you, without argument, the BEST satire show India has ever produced. Flop Show is written and directed by Jaspal Bhatti, whose also acted in the show. It takes on all kinds of corruption- government offices, PhD guides, medical malpractice etc.- and has a hilarious, brilliant take on it! Episode 1 is here.  

5. Byomkesh Bakshi: Unless you have been living under a rock, you'd have heard of the brilliant Byomkesh Bakshi TV series from the 80s starring Rajat Kapoor! If you haven't watched it, go right now and binge it! Please! You won't be disappointed! Here is Episode 1.

6. Malgudi Days: Based on RK Narayan's beautiful stories about the adventures of a boy called Swami in a village called Malgudi, this series is lovely and heartwarming! All episodes can be found here.

7. Stone Boy: A fantasy fiction kids' show about a pair of siblings and their magical, mysterious friend- Stone Boy. Won't give more of the plot away, but this is a beautiful, beautiful serial! Show your kiddos! Episode 1 can be found here.

8. Indradhanush: If you were a kid in the late 80s, this serial was your sci-fi fix! The first TV show to delve into time travel! If you were a fan of Back to the Future and wanted to watch similar content, then this cute TV show as your fix! Watch Episode 1 here.

If you end up watching any of these shows, do tag me in your Instagram stories, so that we can gab about how awesome they are! *grin*

Take care, fam!

Hello May 2020! {What I am Watching Today & May Goals.}

Hello May! 

May you be the answer to our problems. 

May you be full of goodness. 

May you grant us the strength to live through these trying times. 

Be magical May! 

May is not my favourite month of the year.

It's too hot. 

Too muggy. 

Too humid. 

My way of coping with May is usually hiding indoors and reading myself into slumber. So in some ways this May won't be all that different...almost. 

I started my month with little comforts. 

Milkshake. 

Chaat. 

And I've spend most of today comforting myself with an absolute favourite film of mine- Karz. 

A way to remember Rishi Kapoor and lose myself in film that has my heart. 

Simi looked so gorgeous! 

I don't remember when I first saw Karz, I must have been a little over 6 or 7, and it was love at first viewing. Something about this film, it's theme of reincarnation just spoke to me. And ever since it's been a constant. I possibly watch it once a year at the very least. When I heard of Rishi Kapoor's passing, I knew I immediately wanted to re-watch this film and spend time with Monty and his quest for justice. 

:) 

Next we are about to watch another old favourite, Gumnaam, India's unofficial adaptation of And Then There Were None. It's available on Amazon Prime. 

Goals for May/// 

1. Read 15 books. 

2. Keep my spirits up. 

3. Keeping cooking and trying new recipes. 

4. Eat mangoes. 

5. Bake cookies. 

6. WRITE. WRITE. WRITE. 

7. Watch old films, I've found that I am enjoying revising old loves rather than watching newer content. 

8. Books Journal. 

9. Change things around the house. 

10. Colour. 

I hope May is good for you and me. 

:)