shreyabaldwa's reviews
110 reviews

Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Vivek Shanbag's Ghachar Ghochar is a short story that packs a strong punch. I was intrigued by the title and the book cover. It is a book that leaves more unsaid than said, and it is in the little details and snippets that we must understand the story and its characters. Rarely do short stories hold the element of interest till the end, but this one ticks in all the right boxes. Srinath Perur’s excellent translation feels like watching a theatrical play in which you are always at the edge of the seat looking for ways to connect the dots. It's a definite must read. 

The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Min Jin Lee's Pachinko is one among my favourite books. So when I spotted The Best Girls, it was a no-brainer that this would come up in my reading list. Inspired by a true event, this story is a part Disorder - a collection of six short stories. The short story is a quick read but leaves a lasting impression and communicates a lot in a few words. The plot is familiar to the Asian families where boys are preferred over girls. The writing is raw and your heart goes out for the little girls.

We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I was excited for Michelle Hart's book because of the gorgeous cover and the queer intimacy premise. While the writing worked at a few places for me, most of the time the book felt to be emotionally lacking. Mallory’s relationship(s) with her professor, her friend, her boyfriend, her mom's friend, her mom are written from her perspective with little to no information about the other end. While Mallory grows with each relationship, the story and narrative seemed one-sided, leading to an underwhelming and confusing romance.

Lihaaf by Ismat Chugtai

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Lihaaf is the portrayal of a patriarchal society in which a woman's (Begum Jaan's) inherent feelings and desires are covered by a ‘Lihaaf’. Shunted by her husband, the woman has a terrible itch that can only be soothed by her maid (Rabbo). This story is crafted in such a clever way that it suggests a sexual relationship between Begum Jaan and Rabbo without any obscene references. 

Ismat Chughtai also makes a hint at child molestation and gay relationship. What works for me in this book is that Chughtai in no ways celebrates or opposes the sexual act or desires. She just tells us this story through a child's perspective. There's no right or wrong in Chughtai's world. 

I'm amazed by her courage to pick up such a taboo topic in 1942. Read this in Hindi and the writing works for me. Can't wait to explore more of her work.

The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Have admired Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's work as she often brings forward the story of women who have been forgotten in the history or overshadowed by men (Draupadi, Sita and now Jindan). Through Divakaruni, the reader realises that Jindan Kaur was a woman who exercised her agency - from her marriage, her lover to her death. She humanises Kaur and manages to add more layers her than just the forgotten queen.  The novel picks up pace in the beginning, slows down a little in the middle, and then wraps up nice and neat in the end. 

Black River by Nilanjana S. Roy

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Nilanjana Roy's Black River isn't your regular murder thriller. The book explores the world of crime and also gives a grim commentary of the social climate in India. Unlike the regular whodunnit books, Roy takes a deep focus on the fault lines of class and gender, migration, moral disquiet, religious bias, inequality and friendship. Roy directs the reader’s attention to cases of rioting, lynching, gender violence and how the minority are left on the margins. While the reader will realise the murderer eventually, it's the uncomfortable world that Roy creates that keeps the story going. 

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Picked this up after watching movies based on the similar storyline. This isn't your basic mystery book where you are trying to catch the killer.  This is almost a psychological thriller where you have most of the details right at the beginning. The actual thrill is in spinning the right cover-up, telling the apt lies and getting away from the cops. In the last few pages, the reader is up for another twist that brings up a fitting finale to the thriller. On the whole, this book is an amazing murder mystery, well written story with memorable characters.

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Rachel Lynn Solomon's Business or Pleasure is quirky, steamy and fun romcom. Chandler and Finn have an intense chemistry on their first date, but end up having bad sex. Finn, her one-night stand, is back into Chandler's life as her next professional project. This lackluster hookup later turns into lessons of seduction and they soon they grow closer, both in and out of the bedroom. What starts off as an awkward professional relationship turns into a friendship between colleagues, finally culminating into a steamy romance. The book also mentions mental health, emotional attachment and career woes. 

What I absolutely love about the book is Chandler's confidence with respect to her body, sexuality and how graceful Finn is about his bad performance in bed. The focus is on clear communication and there are some hot scenes, dirty talking and a lot of kisses. I wish women's pleasure and men being unaware is more normalised in the society and we openly talk about it. An extra star for the book, only for changing the power dynamic and telling the story from a sexually liberated and experienced woman's narrative.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Emily Henry's Happy Place is about a couple who broke up months ago but pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends. The book on second chance to romance has the elements of friends like family, complicated relationships with the characters' own folks as well as the pains of growing up and letting life take its own course and taking friends in different directions. The book is written in a non-chronological structure that alternates between the present and the backstory. While the writing is good at places, I wish the side characters were fleshed out more better (especially Parth and Kimmy). The plot started well, but got stretched in between and then again picked up at the end. 

You Get That From Me by Charlotte Butterfield

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Picked this to be an easy-breezy read amidst a tough work week. And what a read it has been! I was not expecting to enjoy it quite as much as I did. Charlotte Butterfield's You Get That From Me is a beautiful read spanning three generations of women whose stories and secrets will keep you engaged in the book till the end. 

The book has a strong undercurrent theme of female solidarity and deals with topics like motherhood, single parenthood, sperm donation, fertility treatment and most importantly of what makes a family. Every woman in this story struggle with their own problem, but are are strong in their own ways and very supportive of each other. 

The writing is witty, emotive, poignant; the characters are well flushed out and there's never a dull moment. I love love the girl gang!