Solitude and Books

This story may begin with one girl, but it speaks for countless women who endure pain, exploitation, and trauma at the hands of family members, lovers, and society itself.  It exposes the silent suffering that begins at a young age , both mental and sexual abuse that leaves invisible scars shaping a woman’s entire life. The narrative brings out the harsh realities of what women face in the name of love, promises of marriage, or even while seeking safety from their own relatives and police. Its like women are only body and not soul. Only used for bodily pleasures.  The bus assault scene is chilling, evoking memories of the Nirbhaya case and reminding us that such horrors are far from over. The glimpse into the lives of beggars adds another layer of empathy and social awareness. This story again has LGBTQ plot. Sometimes the characters speak using slang to their loved ones, which I didnot find appealing. Thus I leave that part to ...

Many a times strangers we meet by chance can completely change our lives. The story line is fresh, narrative or storytelling has ability to keep you engaged, and again the language used is quite lucid, everybody can read it! More over its a quick finish short book, which keeps everything super engaging.  So, Bangalore to Kochi is a tightly packed thriller set on an overnight bus journey.  Five passengers, from different baclgrounds, and the special thing is- each one hiding something, unknowingly become part of a dangerous game.  What starts as a quiet trip turns into a tense night filled with suspicion, fear, and shocking truths. Totally loved each characters contrasting personality and their role in this story.  I always love fast paced stories and this one became my favourite. The story moves fast, building tension with every mile covered between the two cities. I figured out that the story gripped me for all these reasons. Fi...

QOTD: If your village carried the curse of its dead, would you still call it home or run before the ashes caught up with you? 🪔 The Burnt Smell of Fresh Ash is not just another horror collection, it’s the darkest turn in the Bhoota Gappa saga. Its the third installment in the Bhoota Gappa Series! The familiar haunted land of Shikaar-Nagar returns, but this time everything feels scorched and grieving. The ghosts are no longer just spirits, they are memories clawing for justice.  Azagka walks deeper into her doomed ancestral village, where every silence whispers of loss. Through thirteen terrifying stories stitched together by pain, revenge, and remembrance, the book explores how some stories never die , they burn. Bhoota Gappa, meaning “ghost stories” in Odiya, part 1 offered seven chilling tales rooted in Odisha’s culture. Blending family memories, black magic, and folklore, it feels hauntingly real. Then the part 2 brings back that thrill. Set...

Do you think education can truly rewrite a person’s destiny?  My answer is - Absolutely!  It can. Education has the power to even transform the destiny of all upcoming generations!  _______________________ I am so happy to have read her life’s journey. Its truly inspiring and motivates us women to never stop! It is such a deeply personal journey that follows Yusra Mariyam’s path through struggle, rediscovery, and transformation. I loved learning more about this strong lady! It begins with her childhood move to the UK, where she faced cultural and linguistic hurdles that tested her identity. From a girl dreaming of joining the police to a woman reshaping her life through education and faith, the story travels across decades of self-doubt, renewal, and resilience. Every part of her brought stroggles, but she was firm in her beliefs and had faith in herself!  Get your copy HERE I would say it’s definitely not a typical memoir, but it’...

What comes to mind when you hear “Tantra”? Aghoris, black magic, or forbidden rituals? That’s the image I have, and I kept my distance, unsure of the consequences. But is Tantra really about spiritual awakening, or have we misunderstood it as something dark and mystical? Tantra by Khushwant Singh explores the mysterious world of ancient spiritual practices through his own past live experiences and learnkng from an enlightened teacher from 13th century. The book explains this in simple, direct language. I’ve read a few of his earlier books, and in one, he openly shares memories of past lives and the teachings he received from enlightened gurus in those eras. Yes, only if you believe in the concept of rebirths his books will make sense to you. In this book, he similarly shares insights from Guru Gorakhnath around understanding Tantra.  Do you think ancient paths like Tantra are meant for everyone, or only for a few chosen seekers? His journey begin...

What remains of a man once the sea takes away everything but his memories?  This question follows Captain David Carter, a sailor whose life is shaped by orphanhood, war, and two women who crossed his life at different times. The novel begins with his haunting recollection of one, a memory that feels both sweet and rotten beneath the surface.  Later, the calm but powerful presence of another, an Egyptian artist, brings a different kind of longing. Between these two anchors, David keeps drifting, and the sea becomes both his escape and his mirror. https://amzn.to/3KRznxb Four things stood out strongly for me. First, the way the sea itself feels like a character, sometimes a lover, sometimes a thief.  Second, David’s memories are written with melancholy and saudade, showing how the past never truly leaves. His short poetic diary entries felt personal as I too used to write my feelings in the form of poems in my journal once.   Th...

“A soul tie is that deep, unseen connection between two people when they share an intimate bond, whether through love, trauma, or shared experience. With them, it was because of the familiarity they shared. It’s not just a mental or emotional link; it touches something more profound, an invisible thread that binds two souls together.” ___________________________ Ever thought what happens when love does not just enter your life but also forces you to face the truths you have long avoided?  Honestly, I picked this book for its pretty cover, I mean, its minimal and aesthetic who will not like it? but the story turned out to be just as good!  Without Me Knowing follows Anaya, a girl hiding behind her own masks, and Rishi, whose calm presence draws her back to herself in the most unexpected way. The story unfolds across tender and unspoken spaces. First, the story shares how she keeps running from her own vulnerability.  Second, it shows how Rishi brings stability,...