3 min readRemember that iconic scene in Ratatouille where Anton Ego, the formidable food critic, takes a bite of the ratatouille? In an instant, he’s transported back to his childhood, sitting at his mother’s kitchen table, basking in the warmth of her lovingly prepared meal. Or the touching moments in Paddington 2—first, when Knuckles, the gruff prison chef, tastes Paddington’s marmalade sandwich and his tough exterior melts as he’s reminded of the…

2 min readThis autumn, I curled up with Tales from the Café, a comforting sequel to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and it couldn’t have been more perfect for the season. Just like the first book, this story isn’t loud or dramatic but cozy like a warm cup of coffee on a crisp fall day. Returning to the Magical Café In Tales from the Café, Kawaguchi once again welcomes us into the…

2 min readSome books have a way of wrapping you up in a warm hug, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is one of those reads. It’s a simple yet moving story about love, loss, and lingering memories. Imagine a quiet, hidden café in Tokyo where time seems to pause, and you’re offered the chance to step back in time, just for a few precious moments. This Japanese translated…

2 min readIf you’re looking for a historical fiction novel that immerses you in the pre- and post-independence era of India, Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a must-read. Set between August 1946 and February 1948, the story explores the lives of two families—the Gangulys and the Chowdhurys—during a time of monumental change in India. Against the backdrop of India’s struggle for independence and the painful partition, we follow the lives of…

3 min readCarrie Soto Is Back took me on a tennis tour that stretched from Wimbledon to the Australian Open, the French Open, and the U.S. Open. If you’re a tennis fan or simply love a comeback story, this book will give you all the adrenaline you’re looking for. Taylor Jenkins Reid has managed to pull readers deep into the world of tennis—not just the game, but the personal battles, sacrifices, and…

2 min readThanks to my Chacha (uncle), I was introduced to John Grisham’s books back in college, and recently, with my “read more” resolution in full swing, The Racketeer was a perfect pick. From the very first line, “He was betrayed by the FBI. Now he wants revenge,” I knew this book was going to be an absolute page-turner. The gripping plot had a Netflix thriller vibe, this book was just what…

2 min readSister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a beautifully woven tale of two sisters—Sudha and Anjali—who grow up in an upper-middle-class household in Kolkata, led by strong women. With the men of the house mysteriously disappearing just before the girls were born, the story unfolds through their voices, alternating between their childhoods and their later lives as they navigate their relationships, marriages, and the bonds that tie them…

< 1 min readOne of my goals this year is to read through all the Hercule Poirot books. I’ve always enjoyed Agatha Christie’s stories, and Elephants Can Remember was no exception. I remember hearing about an Indian tailor who once fed an elephant a banana with a needle hidden inside. Years later, the elephant saw him and got its revenge—whether by splashing muddy water, picking him up with its trunk, or smashing his…

< 1 min readIf you’re searching for a book that beautifully captures the essence of Tamil culture, Spoonful of Curds by Bharati Jagannathan is an absolute delight! This collection of short stories delves into the lives of Tamilians in India and abroad, offering a poignant exploration of relationships, traditions, and identity. When I first picked up the book, I started with one story a week, savoring its depth and detail. But soon it…

2 min readI stumbled upon The Daughters of Madurai while scrolling through a friend’s Instagram reel and ordered it on my Kindle right away. This debut novel by Rajashree Variyar delivered exactly what I needed—a gripping story that brought me back to reality. From the very first page, the book held me captive, shining a spotlight on the heartbreaking topic of female infanticide while weaving a deeply personal tale of family, love,…