Wednesday 31 March 2021

Quarterly Reading Update: Q1 2021.


Hello Loves! 

The first three months of the year are over.

It went by in such  a rush, didn't it? 

I have decided to break down my reading favourite and do some favourites reads for each Quarter. 

My Quarterly Reading Update. 

This is Quarter 1 of 2021. 

I have read 35 books so far.

A good solid number of books to have read.

I have bought around 16 books so far in 2021. 

&

I blogged every single day in 2021. 

I am quite pleased with how my reading is shaping up so far. 

I've read some good books.

Some great books. 

&

Some not so good books. 

But here's some of my favourites. 

These books are a mix of my favourite reads for the first Quarter of 2021 and some of my sister's faves too. 

My sister has read 26 books and some of these books we've read in common. 



 


1. The Adventures of Goopy The Singer and Bagha The Drummer by Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury: A childhood classic and a Bengali treasure. I am so glad we finally read the book that inspired one of the best films ever made. The book is sweet and funny and so much fun. 

5/5 

2. How To Be A Writer by Ruskin Bond: A little book of solid writing advice from one of the best writer's in India- Ruskin Bond. Accessible and a perfect read for those who want to write for a living. 

4/5 

3. Rebirth by Jahnavi Barua: A beautifully written book about life and the musings of a mother to-be to her unborn child, looking back on her life, especially her childhood in Assam. A wonderful book, sad in parts but lovely. 

4/5 

4. Saira Zariwalla is Afraid by Shabnam Minawala: A young adult murder mystery, with spooky vibes and very atmospheric. A full review for this is already up. Thoroughly enjoyable. 

4/5 

5. Pilgrimage by Ira Singh: A book that took me up surprise. I bought it on a whim, not knowing exactly what to expect. But this slim little book pulled me in and is easily one of my faves for the last three months. A full review is up for this book too. 

4/5 

6. Club You To Death by Anuja Chauhan: A fun, full of Delhi-ness book with a murder mystery. Anuja Chauhan's books are always delightful and funny. This one is no different. I was very excited to hear the she was writing her first murder mystery and this one was a good, solid first mystery novel. Review for this has been done too. 

4/5 

7. A People's History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian: A wonderful, uplifting and full of heart and fire book about an amazing gang of girls living in a slum in Bangalore. 

4/5 

8. The Little Flower Shop by The Sea by Ali McNamara: A feel-good book about a sweet little town on the Cornish coast and a woman, with a traumatic past looking to start afresh. Just the right kind of book to read if you are looking for something happy and warm! 

4/5 

9. The Gopi Diaries- Finding Love by Sudha Murty: A sweet little book about a doggo growing up surrounded by the people he loves and in the difficult and confusing circumstances of the Lockdown. 

5/5

10. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: Senior citizens. An old age home. A murder. Past secret. A group that meets every Thursday to revisit cold, unsolved cases. What is not to love?! A great little murder mystery. 

4/5 


I can only hope that the next three months are just as good and wholesome and full of wonderful books! 




Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: March 2021 #FemmeMarch

 Hello Loves! 

March is nearly done and it's time to talk about everything I read this month. 

March was all about reading women's voices and words for #FemmeMarch 

I read only women and women translators all month long and it was wonderful. 

Let's jump in shall we? 


1. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri: I started my reading month right with one, if not the top favourite book of mine. I love this book. I read it back when it first came out and it honest to God changed my life. This is easily my most recommended book. 

Seriously, if you haven't read it please do. 

It's incredible. 

5/5

I will always, always come back to this book for multiple re-readings. 



2. A People's History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian: A book I started reading in February and put it aside to pick it up in March. 

A story about a group of feisty girls from a slum in Bangalore who are growing up, finding themselves, fighting for their rights and forming a kinship. 

I really enjoyed this book and it's world and especially it's women. 

4/5 

3. The Secret Life of Debbie G by Vibha Batra and Kalyani Ganpathy: A fun yet deep story about being a teenager in today's world or social media and popularity. I read a graphic novel after a long time and it was so nice to get back to them. Arya is sixteen and her life seems to be falling apart, her parents are divorced and they are both moving on in life. Her friends are busy and life is sad. 

I loved how real and relatable this book felt, even for someone like me who was a teenager back in the days before social media. 

3.5/5 


4. Pilgrimage by Ira Singh: A story told in three parts. 

Three incidents in a woman's life and three peeks into her world at pivotal parts. 

A full review is up. 

4/5 


5. A Spoonful of Curds by Bharati Jagannathan: A collection of short stories set in Tamil homes and families. A lovely bunch of stories about families, loves, marriages and lives. 

3.5/5 

6. The Good Girls by Sonia Faleiro: A non-fiction read after a while. Centred around the Katra Case of 2014, this book does a deep dive into the lives touched by the tragedy that claimed the lives of two young girls and the media circus and the controversy that followed. Hard to read in parts but so important and so well written and researched. 

4/5 

7. Saira Zariwalla is Scared by Shabnam Minwala: A fun mystery with spooky vibes. 

Full review is up already. 

4/5 

8. The Gopi Diaries Finding Love: by Sudha Murty: Love love love. 

Also reviewed this one. 

5/5 

9. The Guru Who Came Down from the Mountains by Roshen Dalal: The story of a nefarious Godman who's on his death-bed. Told from his perspective and that of one of his former loyal disciple. This is a story of a man's rise as spiritual guru and then his downfall. Interesting premise but overall a bit of a letdown. 

2.5/5 

10. Shyamchi Ali by Sane Guruji, Translated by Shanta Gokhale: A sweet story full of wisdom and a mother's love. A Marathi classic that I am so glad I finally read this month. Sweet, simple and full of nostalgic wisdom and love. 

4/5 



11.  You Can't Go Home Again by Sarvat Hasin: A collection of inter-connected short stories set in present day Pakistant. We follow a group of high school friends from their senior year in school to the next few years. We see them getting married, falling in and out of love and even a hint of a supernatural something. This was a quick read that I read in under a day. Nicely written, with characters that seem real and relatable. 

3.5/5 

Then we have a few books I inhaled from Story Weaver, an incredible place to read a whole bunch of darling children's books and that too for free and in a whole bunch fo languages. I only recently came across it and I am smitten. 

I read a handful of books and I am sure I will spend a lot of my time enjoying these adorable stories. 

Do go check them out and read some adorable kidlit. 

Great for littles. 

Great for grown-ups. 

12. The Case of the Missing Water by Shalini Srinivasan, Art by Upamanyu Bhattacharya: Such a wonderful and important book about the importance of water and how so many rural communities have to leave their homes just because they no longer have easy access to water. A must read and a great way to talk to children about the importance of water conservation. 

5/5 

12. Ammachi's Amazing Machines by Rajiv Eipe: An amazing book about an amazing Ammachi (grandmother) and her simple but very useful machines that make tedious tasks fun and so much simpler. Lovely art and so much to learn as well. 

5/5 

13. The Little Red String by Madhumita Srivastava: The art is this little book was so beautiful. A simple little tale about wool and it's many nifty uses. 

Cute. Cute. Cute. 

5/5 


14. The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena: Hmm...this might be my least favourite book I've read all month. It wasn't exactly bad, just incredibly predictable and low key boring. A teenage love story. 

A good girl and a rebel boy. 

Family dynamics. 

Coming of age.

Falling in love. 

And the immigrant experience. 

Meh. I don't know maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind of for, but somewhere in the middle I was quite bored. 

2/5 

15. A Night With a Black Spider by Ambai, Translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan: My last book for this month and my current read. I am about half way through and I am really enjoying these stories. I've read Ambai before, a set of detective stories which I thoroughly enjoyed. These stories are quite lovely too. 


15 books read. 

Not bad at all. 

It's been a good, solid month of reading incredible books! 

Thank-You More Please! 

Hope you've had a good reading month too. 


Monday 29 March 2021

Monday Moods: Happy Holi!

From my little colourful corner of the world, here's wishing you (if you celebrate it) a very Happy Holi! 




 

Postcard from Chica Being Me
Ladybird Brooch from Studio Joyeeta 
Notebook from The Ink Bucket 




Pouch from Studio Joyeeta 



Postcard from Chica Being Me 
Woman with Parrot Illustration from Little Joys of Life 


Sunday 28 March 2021

Bookmark Haul from Tanuka Draws

Hey everyone!

I hope you've had/ are having a great Sunday! 

I've had a nice, restful one with great food and some web series bingeing. 

Wanted to quickly share some stunning bookmarks I'd recently ordered from the lovely Tanuka Draws on Instagram. 

Tanuka's art is not only gorgeous but she sends out messages of self-care and positivity via her art, which is exactly what the world needs more of! 

Let's get to the bookmarks, then? 



First of all, look at this cute envelope! She sent us a lovely thank you note along with our order, which I immediately saved to stick in my journal. 









 

Aren't all the bookmarks stunning? 

Tanuka has also just started making pouches and tote bags with her art, so, if you want to buy those or her art prints or bookmarks, just DM her on Instagram! 

See you soon with some cool web series and movie recommendations!


Saturday 27 March 2021

Weekend Reads: Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami and The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena

 Hello, hello!

Hope your weekend has gotten off to a good start! 

It's the Holi weekend here in India and in a different time, we'd be gearing up to celebrate the festival of colours with sweets and colours! 

However, we are doing the best we can and reading some great books! 



My sister is reading a collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami called Men Without Women. 

Plot Summary: Across seven tales, Haruki Murakami brings his powers of observation to bear on the lives of men who, in their own ways, find themselves alone. Here are vanishing cats and smoky bars, lonely hearts and mysterious women, baseball and the Beatles, woven together to tell stories that speak to us all.

Sounds good, right? 




I am reading Tanaz Bhathena's The Beauty of the Moment. 

Plot Summary: Susan is the new girl-she's sharp and driven, and strives to meet her parents' expectations of excellence. Malcolm is the bad boy-he started raising hell at age fifteen, after his mom died of cancer, and has had a reputation ever since. 

Susan's parents are on the verge of divorce. Malcolm's dad is a known adulterer. 

Susan hasn't told anyone, but she wants to be an artist. Malcolm doesn't know what he wants-until he meets her. 

Love is messy and families are messier, but in spite of their burdens, Susan and Malcolm fall for each other. The ways they drift apart and come back together are the picture of being true to oneself.



Sounds rather fun, right? Just the right kind of light-yet-not-frivolous kind of book I am in the mood for!



Are you doing any reading? Let me know on my Instagram! 



Friday 26 March 2021

Monthly Favourites: March 2021.

 Hello Loves! 

March is nearly done and it's been a surprisingly good month. 

A year since our lives changed and what a year it's been! 

A lot of looking back happened this month for all of us. 

Eh! 

All we can do is hope and pray that things get better soon! 

Now back to this month that is just about to end. 

March was good. 

Long. 

Full of good books. 

Some book buying. 

A little travel. 

Lots of new stationery supplies. 

A lot of journaling. 

Some anxious days. 

But overall this was a good month. 

&

Here are some of my favourites from March 2021. 


1. Road Trip to Kurseong: My absolute favourite thing this month was a little travel to the hills. It was just for a day. But it was everything I needed! Hills, flowers and being back on the open road! 

I can't to go out for a getaway to the hills but this virus just won't let up. 

2. Art Journaling: I did a spot of art journaling this month and it's been my go to fix for anxiety. It's so nice to just find a quiet spot and just sit and do something creative with my hands and let me mind calm down. 

3. Book Buying: I did a proper book haul after a while this month. I didn't even buy books for my birthday last month. So come March I was itching to buy some books and Book Chor was a great place to buy a tall stack of books. 

I got about 12 books for a little over 1000 bucks!

What a steal! 

A book haul will come soon. 

4. Hills and Open Roads: It felt life-affirmingly good to breathe in some clean and crips mountain air. Even for a day, driving around in the mountains make me so happy. 

5.  Journal from Brwn: This journal is so perfect for art journaling. The paper quality is lovely and in multiple colours and textures. Plus God it's so aesthetic! 

6. Art: Bought some mini-prints from Aarti of Diary of a Flower Girl. Happy mail max. I am possibly going to do up the walls of my home in Bombay with these prints. But for now they are being used as bookmarks. 

7. Spring Blooms: Spring has blessed us with flowers and it's been good for my heart to see these beauties blooming all over. These humble marigolds looked particularly lovely. 

8. Femme March Reading: A month dedicated to reading only women and it's been splendid, as always. I will talk more about my reading in my monthly reading wrap-up but it's definitely been great reading some incredible women. 


9. Journals from Ekatra: I love these block-ring handmade journals. I am yet to start using them but I look forward to using them and decorating them up. 


10. Ellie Friend from Sew Me Dolls: My absolute favourite this month has been this little darling who came home from Sew Me Dolls. A new fren to have and hold. Look how beautiful she is!?! 


11. Bhooter Raja: On my phone some Bengali film nostalgia and the magic of Ray. Look at this cute face! He makes me smile every time I see his toothy grin. 



12. Postcards: More art, this time in postcard form from Sunny Skies  Starry Eyes. Nature inspired art-prints. Dreamy! 


Apart from these things..

Some other favourites have been: 

Mild Spring Days. 

A spot of shopping. 

Cold Coffee. 

Making a ton of reels. 

Reading a lot. 

Blogging everyday. 

Watching a ton of old Bengali films. 

Good skin days. 

Hope March has been kind to you too! 


Thursday 25 March 2021

Haul: Postcard Haul from Sunny Skies Starry Eyes.

Hello Loves! 

Today I want to share some beautiful postcards we got from Sunny Skies Starry Eyes. 

I've bought some beautiful bookmarks from her before and I am a big fan of her art and the quality of her products. 

She prints her stuff on the such good quality matter paper that it makes the art just pop. 

:) 

I highly highly recommend her work and you need to go get yourself something lovely from her. 

She makes bookmarks, postcards, buttons and art prints. 


 


This bougainvillea print might just be my favourite. 

It reminds me of the Mahals of Jaipur and the lush flowers blooming in the summer. 



Nature is the best. 

I could honestly sit and stare at trees for hours and never tire of it. 



These are the reading themes ones. 

Ah!

These make me so happy. 



Women who read. 

These postcards just speak to me. 

There is nothing as good as being curled up with a good book. 

I can't wait to put up these postcards on my wall back home and maybe use some of them in my journal. 


Wednesday 24 March 2021

Haul: Earrings from The Beta Girl Studio.

 Hello Loves! 

Let's talk some jewellery today. 

I recently got some earrings from this IG shop called The Beta Girl Studio. 

Not silver. 

Oxidised. 

But still lovely. 

:) 

I am so happy with these earrings. 


REVIEW: 

They are light weight. 

Comfortable to wear and the finish is quite nice. 

The pricing is very decent too. 

A perfect place to get some trendy pieces. 

Very good. 

I will most certainly go back for more. 

:) 


These bird earrings were love at first sight. 
So special and beautiful. 
They are quire large but surprisingly light. 




These are more for daily wear and subtle. 
Simple and immensely wearable. 


The baalis are so lovely. 
I love the look of these. 





These are bugadis. 
I have never worn one of these before but I am curious to see how these look on. 


Here are all of them. 

Looking good. 

:)

Can't wait to wear them soon. 


Tuesday 23 March 2021

Book Review: The Gopi Diaries Finding Love by Sudha Murty.

 


Book: The Gopi Diaries Finding Love 

Author: Sudha Murty 

Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat 

Publishers: Harper Collins India 

Pages: 136 

How Long it Took Me To Read: Under and hour. 

Plot Summary: Gopi, I can't believe a year has passed since I met you. You have brought me so much happiness!'

In this second book in the bestselling Gopi Diaries series, Gopi is stronger, bigger, more confident than the little pup he was in the first book, but he is also cheekier and more mischievous! He faces new situations, new challenges, even new dog companions with endless energy and spirit. And then comes the day when he faces the biggest surprise of them all...

Written in Sudha Murty's inimitable style, this simple story told from a dog's perspective shows us just why pets are so precious - for their love, devotion and boundless affection. This is a book for Sudha Murty's fans of all ages as Gopi paws himself yet again into the hearts of children and adults alike.

Things I Loved: 

1. It was so nice to be back with Gopi and see how he's grown and been. Gopi is older, bigger, stronger and even wiser. 

2. This book follows Gopi on new adventures big and small. Going to the office, doggy training and even welcoming new family members. 

3. This book also covers a little bit of the pandemic and we see this crisis through the eyes of a doggo and the confusion and stress and the unknown through his lens. 

4. This book made me so happy. I was smiling the whole time I was reading this book. It just induced so much joy. 

5. This is a perfect book for the kiddos in your life and even adults.

6. The illustrations in this book is a thing of beauty and joy. So utterly gorgeous. 




Rating: 5/5 

Highly, highly recommend. 

Such a happy and joyful read. 

Do pick it up. 

Monday 22 March 2021

Monday Moods: Handmade Notebooks from Ekatra & Review.

Hello Loves! 

Let's kickstart this week with some seriously beautiful notebooks that arrived in the mail today. 

I came across Ekatra on IG a few weeks ago and I loved their simple and classic Indian block print aesthetic. 

After looking at all their designs I picked the mint floral one for myself and this dreamy peach notebook for my sister. 

I am so happy with these notebooks. 

I am having a major journaling moment right now and it's been bringing me so much joy and keeping my anxiety in check to spend time with my journals and ephemera. 

I hope to turn this notebook into my feelings and musing journal. Maybe do some version of my morning pages in here. 

I am super excited to get started. 

:) 


 

Minty Love. 


Here are both of the notebooks looking so pretty. 


This peach beauty is seriously sublime and quite uncommon. Reminds me of chikankari work, in essence. 

This one has blank pages and my sister intends to use it to junk journal. 




I am complete and a total notebook hoarder and I have no regrets. 




Mini-Review: 

1. The notebooks are incredibly well-made. 

2. I like that you can choose what kind of paper you want in your notebooks. I choose a grid paper in mine. 

3. There is a wide variety of designs and prints to choose from. 

4. The pricing is decent too. 

5. Everything came very nicely packed. 

Rating: 4/5 

I will tell you how I fare with the paper quality once I start using it. 

But so far I am quite impressed. 

Sunday 21 March 2021

Book Review: Saira Zariwala is Afraid by Shabnam Minawalla

 


Book: Saria Zariwala is Afraid 

Author: Shabnam Minawalla 

Pages: 356

Read: Paperback edition (kindly sent for review by HarperCollins India; thoughts and opinions are entirely, honestly mine)

Read in: ~4 hours 

Plot Summary: Saira is thrilled about getting her own phone. What she's not so thrilled about is that most of the messages that arrive on it are for somebody called Akaash. As the messages get stranger, Saira's irritation gives way to curiosity. Who is Akaash? How has he disappeared so entirely that even his friends and family don't know where he is? Is he connected with the horrors that the police have unearthed in a fancy Mumbai building?

Saira and her friends decide to play detective. But the light-hearted adventure soon turns dark and sinister. Someone is watching their every move. Someone thinks Saira knows much more than she does. Someone has killed once and is willing to kill again. Curiosity killed the cat. Will it kill Saira?



Things I Liked:


1. I had read and enjoyed What Maya Saw by Shabnam Minawalla in the past and so, when someone from the HarperCollins India team reached out to me asking if I would like a review copy of the author's next book, I immediately said yes! The premise of Saira Zariwala is Afraid sounded really interesting- a new phone number leading to a mysterious vanishing of a guy called Akaash and some really nasty people seemed to be looking for him! What is not to like?! The book grabs you from the very first chapter and only gets more and more interesting as it goes along! 


2. The mystery at the core of the book is a very interesting and highly realistic, relatable one. 15-year-old Saira gets a new phone and a new phone number. From the moment she switches it on and installs WhatsApp, she starts getting messages from people asking after a certain Akaash, who seems to have vanished without a trace! Whilst some friends are concerned about Akaash, there is a mysterious person, who is sending Akaash and, later, Saira, threatening messages! So, who is this Akaash? Why has he vanished without a trace? Who is this mysterious person who wants "it", whatever "it" is, from Akaash and assumes Saira has it?! All very interesting stuff! 


3. Our protagonist, Saira Zariwala, is very likeable and not-at-all annoying! She is bright, a little anxious, resourceful and just a little shy. She has battled anxiety and panic attacks in the past and through the course of this book, even when threatened very directly by the mysterious 'Listener', she manages to overcome her fears and go on with her investigation. Also, Saira makes lists! We love anyone, who makes lists! We get to see Saira's relationships with her family and her close friends, who help her with the investigation in many ways. I really enjoyed Saira's voice and personality! 


4. The investigation undertaken by Saira and her friends was very realistic in the sense that it was the kind of social media snooping that teenagers can very easily do. There was none of that following someone in a car or other such unrealistic shenanigans! I really appreciate books featuring amateur sleuths where the investigation stays real and within the purview of what real people can realistically do! 


5. The actual mystery is very, very nicely done and is not-at-all predictable. I'd guessed one of the perpetrators but the other one was a nice little surprise! Plus, don't want to spoil the book, but there is an element of the paranormal, which is also very nicely done! 



Things I Didn't Like: Nothing at all! 



Rating: 5/5 

Thought this book is targeted at teenagers, I am sure even "grownups" will really enjoy it! 



Saturday 20 March 2021

Saturday Joys: Stickers & Flowers & Art Journal!

Hello Loves! 

Here's some things that made me happy today:  


A bunch of stickers from The Yellow Papier. 

Look how lovely! 

I can't wait to go home and stick some of them on my water bottle. 

Others I want to use in my journal. 



Spring means new flowers and many big blooms. 

This Lily finally bloomed this morning and look how gorgeous and happy she looks. 




One of big pink joba phools also bloomed today. 


These journal spreads of mine make me soooo happy! 
So happy! 
I love how they've turned up and I cannot wait to do more of these spreads. 


This makes me so happy. 

Making this and then staring at it. 


JOURNAL DETAILS: 

Journal & Washi Tapes: BRWN 

Stickers: The Bodhi Journal 

VnV Shop 

Shop K Art 

La Dolce Vita 

Vellum Paper: The Bodhi Journal 

Shop K Art 

Book Notepad: Book Anatomy 

:)

Hope you are having a good weekend so far.