Wandering Soul Writer
I have a special affinity for short stories, and especially, ones with female protagonists. Here was an entire collection! The previous such book I had read was Madhulika Liddle’s Woman To Woman (and, interestingly, the friend who had recommended it to me is a part of this collection too.) What’s intriguing about this collection is that … Continue reading Book Review: Escape Velocity
An acid attack is, in my opinion, one of the most heinous and damaging crimes against women.When I first visited Sheroes Hangout Cafe at Agra and met the acid attack survivors, it changed me forever.I wrote about that first experience - an article I share regularly even now.This year, too, I've written two articles on the subject. … Continue reading Book Review: Being Reshma by Reshma Qureshi
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Colours, too, for a country that’s obsessed with being fair and slim, the definition of beauty is a tad stereotypical. And yet, there are people who smash the stereotypes on their heads and redefine all concepts and ideas of beauty. In the recent couple of years, as a … Continue reading Kirthi Jayakumar – An Epitome of True Beauty
The Legend of the Genghis Khan, published by Readomania, as the title obviously suggests, is the story of the world's most fearsome conqueror-one who I had only briefly read about in history books. This book, however, is not sketchy, but in fact, a well-researched and in-depth story about what made him the great emperor of Mongol. … Continue reading Book Review: The Legend of Genghis Khan by Sutapa Basu
I often remind myself that if my writing makes any difference to even one person and makes them think again or impacts them positively, then I'd consider my writing a success. Recently, though I was surprised and thrilled to note that my writing is deserving of a nomination for the prestigious Orange Flower Awards for … Continue reading Nominated for The Orange Flower Awards 2018: VOTE APPEAL
Thanks to my association with NaNoWriMo, I've made some amazing writer friends. The bond with most has only strengthened over the years. Not only have they taught me to how to write better, but also how to be a better person. Among the many friends, Mira Saraf has been an amazing influence on me. Her … Continue reading Memories of the License Raj: Guest Post by Mira Saraf
There is no denying that there is an increase in sexual awareness all across the world. Urgent calls to indulge in healthy and open discussions around sex are being made across the world — online and offline. Incidents of sexual abuse are more vocally being condemned, while at the same time, there is more focus on good sexual health.
Amidst all of this, there is also the downside. Everything seems to be focused around sex — to the extent that, now there is an overdose of sexual content, direct or implied. Sex is used to sell everything from deodorants to inverters! This raises various questions, including the most critical one, how is porn affecting us as a society?
It becomes imperative that for us to understand its impact, and analyze our own role in it. Continue reading Author Interview: Aditya Gautam
Indian Railways is the largest single-entity employer in India, and the eight largest in the world. This is a fascinating fun fact for those not familiar with the length and breadth of the railway tracks in the country. For those of us who have actually spent most of our summer vacations travelling across that length … Continue reading Book Review: The Boy Who Loved Trains
At a Women Writers' Fest sometime earlier this year, I met this wonderful author and award-winning writer - Kiran Manral - who I admire greatly but had only interacted with on Facebook. Kiran published her first book, The Reluctant Detective, in 2011. Since then, she has published eight books across genres till date, out which I have (unfortunately!) … Continue reading Writer’s Block – How to Deal With It!
There are a few books, in my opinion, that are beyond a review. At least, they should be. This doesn’t mean you cannot critique them. But that those flaws are insignificant in comparison to the message the book delivers. My latest read, Twilight’s Children – Chronicles of Uncommon Lives, published by Readomania is one such … Continue reading Not A Review: Twilight’s Children
Is the cocoon of safety we build around ourselves really as secure as we think it to be? Are all tragedies a result of an unfair hand dealt by fate? This is the premise of Anurag Anand's latest novel - a crime thriller fiction, To Hell and Back: Not all Tragedies are Orchestrated by Fate, published by Readomania. Reading … Continue reading A Conversation with Anurag Anand
How often would you have heard the common whine – 'It was so meant to be' or 'Who can fight fate?' What if the hand that life deals you wasn’t actually one that fate had played but one that you and your choices and decisions led to? This is the premise of Readomania's latest offering … Continue reading Book Review – To Hell and Back By Anurag Anand
(contd from here) ‘Thank you, Aru!’ Aradhana exclaimed. ‘It such a beautiful painting! Where did you learn to draw the giraffe like this? My god, you’re learning things faster than I can cope up.’ She admired the card in an exaggerated display of love and appreciation. Aryanka’s eyes shone with pride. Mommy liked the gift, … Continue reading The Z-Factor
Aryanka put in the final strokes of colour and paused to see her handiwork. The edges were a little off, she thought and set down to correct it. Finally, after two hours of painstaking work, she stepped back and looked at the clock. It was almost eight o’clock. The bell would ring any moment now. … Continue reading Yours, Forever
(contd. from here) An hour later, Dinesh, her husband sat at the dining table. ‘Why couldn’t you solve their fight and make them pasta?’ He helped himself to another helping of rice and dal. ‘Because I am not Wonder Woman or Super Woman or an incarnation of any God. I am a normal woman and … Continue reading An Early X’Mas
After a long tiring day at work, Hina looked forward to a restful evening of a long warm bath and the company of a good book. Upon entering the house, she was greeted by a sight she hadn’t expected. Toys lay strewn all over the living room floor. There were scraps of paper lying around. ‘Mommy … Continue reading Wonder Woman (No More)
Rupa defiantly stared back at the slice of sinful indulgence - the dark gooey chocolate brownie. It had given her enough heartbreak over the last few months. Have it, not have it - it was always a battle between the heart and the mind. Rupa remembered how she had excitedly announced to her husband she … Continue reading Vengeance with a Smile
Rohit’s temple pulsed faster than the blinking lights of an emergency vehicle. His being called for questioning was another attempt by the authorities to get to the bottom of what happened and catch the culprit. Unfortunately, all the evidence was stacked against him. He looked up and pleaded innocence. ‘I… I didn’t do it. I … Continue reading Unconditional Love
The wind was picking up speed. Worried the weather would worsen before she could reach home, Titu hurried. It was important to collect all the material to put it all together. She infused renewed energy in find the binding agents she so desperately needed. She had started her search a week ago. Her foresight and … Continue reading A Stitch in Time
(contd. from here) The darkness hung low outside the window and in her mind. The breeze slowly picked up speed and competed with the onslaught of thoughts running through her mind. She stood there a long time, watching as the clouds opened up and let free the arrows of water droplets. They crashed and thrashed … Continue reading Silver Linings
