The Whimsy Bookworm: A Book Blog from India

  Hello Loves!  April has whizzed on by and it's time to talk about all the books I read this month and my thoughts and opinions on said books.  I try to read mostly Bengali books in April for my annual celebration of all things Bengali in honour of Bengali New Year, some years I read only Bengali books and don't stray off topic, while others I do find myself reading books from other places..and that's OK. I never want my reading to be so rigid and constrained that I can never have any wriggle room.  Reading is something I do for pleasure and joy and reading what I want and when I want is something I stick to at all times.  OK.  So this month I read some 11 books in total.  7 from Bengal and by Bengali writers.  4 from elsewhere.  I had a little bit of slow reading month (by my standards) and it's OK. I did other things and really slowed down with my reading and read some serious and heavy books that I had to slow down and sit with.  It ...

 Hello Loves!  How is the weekend treating you? All good I hope. This long weekend my plan is to read some and write a little and set up my planner and journal pages for May.  I hope this is a nice longgg weekend for all of us.  I also hope to binge some shows and films and have myself a good old time.  For reading this is what we are reading.  The Adventures of Feluda Vol. II by Satyajit Ray: I am 56% through my beautiful book, gosh Feluda is always such a good idea and perfect summer reading in my books, and my plan for this weekend and the end of April is finish off these volume of stories that I've been slowly reading since the middle of the month. I read a story every few days and read a little before bedtime and it's honestly been such a happy time.  If you haven't had the joy of reading these books, please pick one up. These are Bengali classics and perfect for kids and adults alike.   I cannot recommend these stories enough. They are...

Hello Loves!  Today's batch of Friday Faves is just all things Mumbai.  I don't love summer.  But I do love the gorgeous summer skies and that incredible light. I also love how my city looks in the early days of summer, all bright and beautiful and lit up.  Here are some pictures of summer days and summer night in the city.   Iconic.  The streets of Colaba hold a piece of my heart.  Iced-coffee after a spot of book shopping. Bliss.  The Subko at Kitab Khana is giving me life.  Talking of Kitab Khana...a forever favourite.  All lit up and how.  :) 

Hello Loves!  Summer Styles in my books is all about comfort and Cotton.  Wear the softest and comfiest things and hope to keep the heat at bay.  I recently worse this very blue and airy outfit and this is what I want the rest of my summer to look like.  Rings galore.  Wore some of my old silver rings.  A rug on a friends terrace.  An armful of bangles.  Snacks.  My sister's bag sitting pretty.  My gorgeous little Tuesday Sling from Chiaroscuro.  All kinds of blues.  Pockets of peace.  No such thing as too much silver.  DETAILS:  Kurta: Farida Gupta  Bag: Chiaroscuro  Rings: Amber Jewels and Shops in Bangalore  Silver and Meenakari Bangles: Jaipur Silver Shops (I don't remember the names anymore) Cloth Bangles: Art n Light Studio 

  Book: Twelve Secrets  Author: Robert Gold  Pages: 448 Read on: Kindle  Read in: ~4 hours  Plot Summary:  The day his older brother was murdered was the day Ben Harper's life changed for ever. In one of the most shocking crimes in national history, Nick and his friend were stabbed to death by two girls their own age. Police called the killings random, a senseless tragedy. Twenty years on Ben is one of the best true crime journalists in the country. He has left the past behind, thanks to the support of his close-knit hometown community.  But when he learns about a fresh murder case with links to his brother's death, Ben's life is turned upside down once more. He soon finds himself caught in a web of lies, one that implicates everyone around him. And on his quest for answers, Ben discovers one very important truth: Everyone has secrets. But some secrets are deadlier than others. Things I Liked:  1. Old crimes. Old secrets. Unravelling past mysterie...

 Hello Loves!  I know, I know..this post is beyond late. I don't even know what happened, I read such amazing books in March and I was dyinggg to talk about them. But..well. Here we are. Almost at the end of April and talking about my March reads!  I guess better late than never.  Chalo, let's just jump into my March books.  I read 16 books in March and all written by women in honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. It's the easiest reading goal/theme/challenge because I end up reading a ton of women's writing in any case. So this month is a month of easy, breezy and happy reading for me.  I read some incredible books and let's just jump right into it.  Let's go.  BOOKS OF MARCH 2023:   1. Daughters of Madurai by Rajashree Variyar: Loved this book about a mother and daughter and deep seated family secrets. Did a full review for this this, which you can read here.   4/5  2. I Have Some Questions for You by Reb...

 Hello Loves!  I've been missing from this space for a while now. Nothing really, just life getting in the way and summer kicking my butt and making me slow down like never before. For most of April I've had some random ache in my neck and then the heat is making me all kinds of lethargic.  Life has been slow but good.  I've been hunkering down and reading and reading some amazing books for All Bengali Books in April.  I can't wait to do a Wrap-Up at the end of the month.  We did a spot of celebrating for Nobo Borsho and reset our home.  It's been good.  Slow and hot and good.  Here are some glimpses of what this month has looked like.  Finding comfort in Starbucks and oh look new journal that is a thing of beauty. I didn't buy any new clothes for Bengali New Year but I did treat myself to some books and some new stationery bits and bobs.  This one is from The Stitchery Room on IG .  Planner Pages for the last week of April....

 Oh Boy!  This post is sooo super duper late!  I don't even know why?! I love book hauls, I love watching people haul books and you know I love buying books! And 2023 has (so far) blessed me with some happy little book buying moments.  January was especially bountiful and full of books.  Quite unexpected but lovely.  I bought two books to kick start my New Year. Both Bengali. Both classics. Both gorgeous.  These are my first book buys of the year.  I like starting my New Year with a spot of book buying to herald in a year of books and reading.  These two are classics and you can't go wrong with them. I read Four Chapters earlier this month, to kickoff my All Bengali Books in April and I really liked it. It's short but sharp and wonderful and still so relevant. I think a film adaptation or two exists and I am quite keen on finding it and watching it. Hopefully soon, will report back on how we get along.  Next I went to town and hit two bo...

 Hello, hello! A long weekend is just a few hours away from us and if you, like us, plan to just chill and be home, then we have got you sorted with some really interesting OTT recommendations.  Without any further ado, let's get into it, shall we? :)  Documentaries If you enjoy documentaries, then these three on Netflix are definitely ones that you should watch: MH370: The Plane That Disappeared looks into various theories behind the mysterious disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared into thin air in 2014! An interesting look at multiple conspiracy and scientific theories that speculate on what could've happened.  Waco: American Apocalypse is a look at the 51-day stand off between the FBI and a cult based out of Waco, Texas. The documentary sheds light on what went on for those 51 days and how, in the end, the tragic events that unfolded at the compound came to pass. A nice true crime documentary.  Challenger: The Final Flig...

  Hello April!  Hello Bengali New Year!  Hello Reading only Bengali Books in April!  Hello Summer!  Hello Mangoes!!!  I hope you are wonderful April!  Be Good.  Be Kind.  Be Gentle.  🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺 Hello Loves.  I took some time off from Blogging. Life has been busy. I missed my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up for the first time ever in...years?  Damn.  I will get that up soon, promise. I read some nice books in March and I want to talk about them. Soon. That post is coming soon.  I had just the best weekend. I went out, Bandra and SoBo- Bookshops, Cafes, Silver Shops and hanging with people and so much fun conversation and just good times.  I am so happy.  As much as I love being home, it's nice to step out, dress up and do things.  :)  Here are some glimpses of my life lately... My Tuesday Sling from Chiaroscuro and I went out on town.  She is tiny and fits a decent amount of stuff.  Love weari...