Some children’s books have a straightforward story to tell. Others leave you thinking about the things we take for granted, the lives we imagine for ourselves, and the possibility that what we think we want might not be quite what we need. Bird/Dog belongs to the latter category. Written by … [Read more...]
The Ladder Classics: How Popular Library Made Great Literature Easier to Read
I found this 1965 edition of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw in my father's personal library. What I discovered inside led me down a fascinating little publishing-history rabbit hole. Old books can be full of surprises. I recently came across this small, not-too-battered paperback in … [Read more...]
The Many Seas to Guernsey by Catherine Taylor – Book Review
I have always had a soft spot for WWII stories, whether they are books or films, so The Many Seas to Guernsey was very much my kind of book. But what I particularly enjoyed about this one was that the war is not just a backdrop to a love story. The novel explores faith, morality, conscience, … [Read more...]
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: A Story That Sneaks Up on You
Some books pull you in from page one.And then there are books like this one. The kind that you almost resist at first… and then, quietly, completely take over your heart. When I picked up The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, I had a very specific expectation in mind. The back cover described … [Read more...]
What Middlemarch Taught Me About Love, Marriage, and Human Nature
You’d think that by the time you’re in your 40s, you understand the world reasonably well. And then a book like Middlemarch comes along and quietly unsettles that confidence. Reading it felt like a slow revelation. With its detailed observation and psychological depth, it left me with more … [Read more...]
Looking Forward by Looking Back: How the Right History Books Will Help Your Kids Transform Their Future
When it comes to learning about history, some kids’ eyes light up at the thought, while other kids may roll their eyes and break out the sarcasm. Either way, the right history books will not only intrigue them but also teach them about more than just history. For example, the Tuttle Twins history … [Read more...]
Mansfield Park: Where My Love Affair with Jane Austen Began
Mansfield Park, and the Beginning of a Lifetime with Jane Austen How a worn Indian edition, a quiet heroine, and an unassuming place became my first and forever Jane I sometimes feel that our first Jane Austen chooses us. For me, it was Mansfield Park. I was eighteen when I first picked it … [Read more...]
Two Delightful Children’s Books from Niyogi Books: Inspiring Young Minds through Humor and Heart
As someone who often reads and reviews children’s books from around the world, it’s always refreshing to come across stories that are quintessentially Indian - rooted in our landscapes, values, and voices. Niyogi Books’ latest releases, The Gift by Ramendra Kumar and The Invention of Shoe by … [Read more...]
The Real Way I Got My Kids to Read (And Yes, It Involves Bribery)
Because let’s be honest—most parenting advice doesn’t actually work Let me start by saying this is not one of those “10 Expert-Approved Ways to Raise a Reader” kind of articles. Nope. We’re not doing that here. I know the types of gadgets we are up against and when the going gets tough, smart moms … [Read more...]
Book Review: Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef by Curtis Duffy
“From sweet to savory to bitter to salty and sour, delicious means you want more of it.” Curtis Duffy uses this line in Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef to explain what makes something delicious. For me, it perfectly captures what it felt like to read his memoir. This book is layered with flavors—raw … [Read more...]