Author Archives: Sonali Dabade

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin | Book Review

I have been in love with the cover of The Queen of Hearts since the moment I lay eyes on it. Like, look at it! And when it made its way to me, I was ecstatic and fawning over it. I cannot even begin to describe that feeling. It was and still is, that intense, days after I finished reading it. The best part of this obsession, however, was how the author was so responsive. Every time I uploaded a picture of the book and tagged Kimmery Martin, she would respond! The first time she did, I almost fainted. But I’ve recovered ever since.

Circe by Madeline Miller | Book Review

Before I start off with my thoughts about the story, I’d just like to take a minute and express my love and admiration for this cover. A wonderful gold-tinted combination of black and orange, Circe has one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever laid eyes on. This might have been one of the reasons why I was actually terrified of starting the book – me being scared that the story wouldn’t actually live up to the beauty of the cover. Another thought that crossed my mind was: What if I unintentionally destroy it?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon | Book Review

Nicola Yoon’s The Sun is Also a Star had been doing the rounds of BookTube as well as Bookstagram with quite a few mixed reviews. It was the cover of the book that pulled me in. It is so, so intriguing and beautiful that I figured (like so many other books before and so many other books to come) that I would find out if the cover lives up to the hype. And not to preempt my review or anything but God oh God, was it a good decision!

Bestseller by Ahmed Faiyaz | Book Review

The publishing industry, especially in India, is one that is fraught with uncertainty. Which book will be accepted? Which will go through the process? Which will be a success? Nobody knows. Not even the people who back them. But when things do click and books become blockbuster hits, there’s no looking back for the author as well as the publishing houses. Because isn’t it what every book-related person lives for? Isn’t it a dream to write, and help a book become a bestseller?

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak | Book Review

As everyone who’s been following me on BookTube and Bookstagram knows, I fell in love with Markus Zusak’s writing after reading The Book Thief. That book still gives me the chills and makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. It is because of The Book Thief that I was so goddamn excited about Bridge of Clay when it released. There wasn’t a minute when I didn’t covet that book and when I finally got it, I would sit and stare at it for what felt like ages.

Let Me Have This Moment…

When I’m distraught When I’m trying to pour my heart out Into your waiting ears Listen Give me a few words of comfort Hug me Give me a smile A smile of reassurance That everything will be alright Even if I believe otherwise Override my senses Override my belief in the brimming negativity Tell meContinueContinue reading “Let Me Have This Moment…”

I am Always Here With You by Himanshu Rai | Book Review

My notion of immortal or undying love is that it’s a sort of a cheesy, overdone concept that people just can’t seem to get enough of writing about. In literature, at least. It might have happened to people in real life – I’m not denying or mocking it. But the number of times that people have used this idea actually boggles my mind. Himanshu Rai’s I am Always Here With You is yet another story that uses this timeworn concept and tries to bring some iota of unseen emotion to it.

Thirty-three Cecils by Everett De Morier | Book Review

When I received Everett De Morier’s nonfiction book, The Invention of Everything: Insights on Food, Life, and One Good Thermos to review, little did I know what awaited me. That book soon became one of the most enjoyable nonfiction books I’ve ever read. And that’s saying something because I usually avoid reading nonfiction books. Not a great fan of them. But thanks to a few, this one included, I’m slowly getting to a place where I can sit down and enjoy a well-written nonfiction as much as I enjoy a fiction book. So when I was approached to review Everett De Morier’s fiction book, I jumped at the chance.

The Painter of Signs by R.K. Narayan | Book Review

R.K. Narayan is so well-loved in the Indian literary scene that once upon a time, I used to be really excited to read his books. When I read Malgudi Days, I was actually really bowled over and thought, “Okay, wow, what writing! So simple and beautiful!” I was even further excited to read The Painter of Signs, a book I bought a couple of years ago and got to reading only now.