I have never been fond of stories with black and white characters or ideal conclusions – morally complex stories are always very fascinating and intellectually satisfying for me. Human beings are rarely entirely good or entirely bad. Most people are shaped by trauma, ambition, loneliness, fear, desire, or desperation. Sometimes people do terrible things for …
“There’s something powerful about having an inner room that belongs entirely to you.” Most of our lives are lived in shared spaces. We grow up within families, spend years in schools, build friendships, enter workplaces, form relationships, become part of communities, attend gatherings, and increasingly live within a social world that follows us everywhere through …
Tea for many, including me, is more than just the flavor—it’s an experience. There is something undeniably magical when the tea is poured in a delicate vintage teacup, accompanied by a dainty ditzy milk pot, a slender teaspoon, all laid out on a linen-lined tray! Tea always had a constant presence while growing up in …
Salam from my virtual corner, as December slowly winds down. This last month of the year is feeling like a mix of movement and looking ahead — travel, finishing a somewhat hard long read, packing lists forming in my head, and the typical reflective and familiar end-of-year thoughts that arrive whether we invite them or …
On my way back to Washington, I uploaded “The Culpability” by Bruce Holsinger, a read for one of my next book club discussions. Ironically, I finished this AI-themed novel on my flight to San Francisco and landed in the Silicon Valley with whole bunch of mixed feelings. It’s a book that doesn’t rely on shock …
This is the post that I have been asked to write many times. As Mother’s Day approaches, I do get few calls and messages to direct my friends and family to the perfect vintage gift their mom might like. One of my friend, who doesn’t care much about vintage or collectibles herself but has a …
I downloaded the title for a book club and was very surprised that it was barely 3 hour long. I love long books or at least I do not like short stories, I feel I cannot form the connection with characters and the story comes to an end. Another thing, I had no clue what …
As the Black History Month approaches, book clubs look for books to honor the immense contributions, rich culture, and incredible resilience of Black individuals throughout history. This includes both books written for the Blacks and written by them. Over the period of my reading life, I have read many books that have opened my eyes …
One of the most iconic and eagerly awaited New Year celebrations worldwide is the NYC ball drop, watched live by approximately 1 million spectators every year. Isn’t it ironic, though, that we welcome the start of a new year by literally dropping the ball? In Greek mythology, the Titan Atlas was condemned to carry the …
