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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
too many pov’s, really wanted to keep going but there’s a point where you don’t care about the 3rd waiters family history when he drops off wine to the room
The one thing I miss a lot about pre-covid days is weddings! Who else is with me? The outfits, the dancing, the food, and everything else in between. So naturally when I saw that Destination Wedding by Dikhsa Basu was about a big fat wedding in India I just had to pick it up. This was a fun and witty read and ideal if you're looking for a lighthearted escape. It has a variety of characters. Some that will warm your heart and others that will make you roll your eyes. By far my favorite character was Nonna who is an inspiration to all women. She reminds us that no matter how old you are there is always a need to be sassy and fierce. Amen to that!
On a serious note, aside from all the glitz and glam of this over the top wedding (think Crazy Rich Asian status), I appreciated how Basu made sure her leading characters were progressive Indian men and women. Through Radha and Neel, we learn to normalize divorce and dating again in your 60s. Through Tina, we learn to accept that it's okay to feel a little lost at times and some trial and error to find your calling is necessary. Now we just need to translate this all into the real world.
On a serious note, aside from all the glitz and glam of this over the top wedding (think Crazy Rich Asian status), I appreciated how Basu made sure her leading characters were progressive Indian men and women. Through Radha and Neel, we learn to normalize divorce and dating again in your 60s. Through Tina, we learn to accept that it's okay to feel a little lost at times and some trial and error to find your calling is necessary. Now we just need to translate this all into the real world.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Destination Wedding is a fun book that covers one week in the life of the main characters as they attend a large lavish wedding in India. The main character Tina is a mid 30s professional woman who lives in New York and works in the TV industry. Along with her best friend, her divorced parents (and her moms boyfriend), they soak up the luxury of an elite club in Delhi while all going on their own personal journeys. Much of the book centers around Tina trying to find herself, and to find her home. Although she was born in the US, her parents are both from India and she is not sure which place is truly "home".
I have always wanted to travel to India so I loved getting to read about life there, both the lavish and the poor. The book did a good job of showing the diversity of India and the struggle that many immigrants (myself included) have in figuring out where home truly is. The luxury, wealth and privilege of the main characters definitely brought a "real housewives" type of vibe to the book.
The book was written in the third person, and often gave the internal thoughts and memories of multiple characters - sometimes all within a few pages. Although the diversity of peoples memories/thoughts added to the richness of the book, it also felt quite jarring as you are reading.
I found the "younger" characters (all in their 30s), to be kind of annoying and spoiled brats. The stories from her parents and the other older people in the book were more interesting and I liked those characters much more.
Content warning: there are very casual mentions of drug use. While none of the characters are regular users, they will casually take bumps of cocaine on nights out as if it's no big deal. As someone who works in healthcare, I do not like it when media normalizes hard drug use and makes it seem like it's ok if its just occasional. I have seen the damage that casual use can do, and do not like seeing it portrayed as just a benign bit of fun.
Overall, it's a fun read and a peak into the world of wealth and luxury in India with some self discovery thrown in.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
Destination Wedding is a fun book that covers one week in the life of the main characters as they attend a large lavish wedding in India. The main character Tina is a mid 30s professional woman who lives in New York and works in the TV industry. Along with her best friend, her divorced parents (and her moms boyfriend), they soak up the luxury of an elite club in Delhi while all going on their own personal journeys. Much of the book centers around Tina trying to find herself, and to find her home. Although she was born in the US, her parents are both from India and she is not sure which place is truly "home".
I have always wanted to travel to India so I loved getting to read about life there, both the lavish and the poor. The book did a good job of showing the diversity of India and the struggle that many immigrants (myself included) have in figuring out where home truly is. The luxury, wealth and privilege of the main characters definitely brought a "real housewives" type of vibe to the book.
The book was written in the third person, and often gave the internal thoughts and memories of multiple characters - sometimes all within a few pages. Although the diversity of peoples memories/thoughts added to the richness of the book, it also felt quite jarring as you are reading.
I found the "younger" characters (all in their 30s), to be kind of annoying and spoiled brats. The stories from her parents and the other older people in the book were more interesting and I liked those characters much more.
Content warning: there are very casual mentions of drug use. While none of the characters are regular users, they will casually take bumps of cocaine on nights out as if it's no big deal. As someone who works in healthcare, I do not like it when media normalizes hard drug use and makes it seem like it's ok if its just occasional. I have seen the damage that casual use can do, and do not like seeing it portrayed as just a benign bit of fun.
Overall, it's a fun read and a peak into the world of wealth and luxury in India with some self discovery thrown in.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**** 3.5 STARS ****
I was intrigued by this book because it reminded me of a South Asian inspired Crazy Rich Asians. I also saw Chrissy Teigen promote this book on insta as well.
I normally don't reach for chicklit books, but I was actually hooked by the fun and fast paced vibe of the book. I enjoyed how the author incorporates the thoughts of the side characters from a 3rd person.
I also had a lot of fun reading about the stories of the 2nd love lives regarding the divorced parents of Tina. However, I was sometimes annoyed with the main characters of Tina and Marianne, as I found them somewhat irritable. The book also did somewhat drag in the middle.
Overall, this was a very fun book to read, despite its flaws, as it was saved by its colourful secondary characters.
I was intrigued by this book because it reminded me of a South Asian inspired Crazy Rich Asians. I also saw Chrissy Teigen promote this book on insta as well.
I normally don't reach for chicklit books, but I was actually hooked by the fun and fast paced vibe of the book. I enjoyed how the author incorporates the thoughts of the side characters from a 3rd person.
I also had a lot of fun reading about the stories of the 2nd love lives regarding the divorced parents of Tina. However, I was sometimes annoyed with the main characters of Tina and Marianne, as I found them somewhat irritable. The book also did somewhat drag in the middle.
Overall, this was a very fun book to read, despite its flaws, as it was saved by its colourful secondary characters.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is definitely fun and entertaining. But the writing style didn't work for me. You read a few lines from one character's and then have a couple of lines about what that character's ex-boyfriend's wife is thinking, who never features in the book again. It took some getting used to.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No