Mysteries, Mountains and Mythology (Uttarakhand’s folktales retold) by Supriya Bansal is a book that I read with child-like glee. For me, it was childhood canoodled between the pages. The ease with which Supriya writes, weaving emotions and narratives rich in imagery and replete with metaphorical beauty; was a thoroughly engaging …

CALLING ALL FAUJIS (and brats!) If Top Gun gave us Maverick in Tom Cruise—reckless, brilliant, and unforgettable—then India had its own real-life maverick decades earlier in Sq Ldr Pushp Kumar Vaid. Extraordinary Life of a Helicopter Pilot by Sangeetha Vallat is a crisp, engaging tribute to a life that reads …

Joint review of two books by Anamika Kundu Book 1 – Jewels From the Treasure Trove is an anthology of 35 short stories spanning genres: fantasy, drama, thriller, mystery, crime, horror, served like bite-sized delights at a literary banquet. With no single thread binding them, each story arrives as a …

To those who carry both scars and stars—these are whom Prajkta dedicates her book to. I loved that. Just a simple dedication, and yet it encompasses everyone. The book has won the first century Emily Dickinson award. The book is Prajkta’s debut poetry collection (42 pages), a tender exploration of …

A poignant take on the archaic custom of child widow segregation from society, this book resonates with depth and emotion. The book captures the spirit of Banaras in breathtaking details right from the gulkand to the paans. The imagery is vivid, transporting the reader to the scenes with ease. The …

The book is an immersive experience. Mr B has a voice that is unique. It speaks of his years of experience at sea (literally, not metaphorically) as a seasoned Master Mariner. His love for the sea, salt, waves, oceanic folklore, shanties, songs… it’s clear in his verses, which are full …

An anthology of 16 short, women-centric stories that resonate with resilience and an unbreakable spirit. Even though the stories are woven with grief, loss, love, oppression, injustice… all towards women; there’s also a silken (barely visible and yet innately felt) thread of hope that runs through them. I connected deeply …

My Jeans Fit Well & The Ice-Cream Didn’t Melt (The Illustrated Life of a Goofy Writer) by Manali Desai is a quirky book. Yes, there’s no other way to describe it. It is quirky (like the book’s title, which is actually what drew me), funny, crazy, hilarious, weird — all …

Aiyyo, What Will the Neighbours Say? – is not just time-pass humour. Aruna Nambiar delivers a sly, sparkling collection that made me laugh and then quietly examine my own hypocrisies. This book brings together 13 short stories that focus in on the everyday chaos of Indian life: family politics, society …

  Never Forget the Crows by Supriya Bansal I admit it—the title pulled me in. That, and the striking cover design by The Book Bakers. Never Forget the Crows promises intrigue, and it delivers a layered psychological thriller steeped in mystery, unease, and sharp social inquiry. Set in the capital, …