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The Henna Artist
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
200 posts | 203 read | 126 to read
Escaping from an arranged and abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone from her 1950s rural village to the vibrant pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the henna artist--and confidante--most in demand to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own... Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow--a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does. Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman's struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.
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review
CBee
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

So thankful to Julie @RebelReader for putting this on her #ALSpine list, as it gave me the push I needed to finally read it! Loved this story about Lakshmi and her family, both blood and found. I‘ve always been fascinated by the art of henna and appreciated the glossary (and recipes!) at the end.
#readyourkindle #doublespin #auldlangspine

RebelReader I have the next one in the trilogy on my TBR shelf. 😜 I‘m glad you enjoyed it. 1mo
CBee @RebelReader yes! I added both to my TBR after I finished 😊♥️ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo
IMASLOWREADER that was an awesome story… 1mo
65 likes5 comments
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TheSpineView
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Eggs Well played 👌🏼👍🏼👏🏻 2mo
61 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jen2
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Very good!

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KateReadsYA
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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It's officially winter break! Wooooo. I'm starting the tagged book today.

dabbe Enjoy! 💙❄️💙 3mo
KateReadsYA @dabbe Thank you 3mo
40 likes2 comments
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Kgaudiuso
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

I had no idea what to expect from this book, but it was really enjoyable! I‘m really looking forward to the next one, to see where the story goes next for these characters.

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Cazxxx
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Success was ephemeral-and fluid-as
I'd found out the hard way. It came. It went. It changed you from the outside, but not from the inside. Inside, I was still the same girl who dreamed of a destiny greater than she was allowed.
Did I really need the house to prove I had skill, talent, ambition, intelligence?

review
bookaholic1
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

#29
Very good...enjoyed listening to this one while packing

bthegood Packing? Where are you headed or where did you go? 🙂 10mo
bookaholic1 @bthegood I'm just moving from my apartment to my son's house until I find another apartment...prices are so high and being on disability I need to find something I can afford 10mo
bthegood @bookaholic1 thank you for sharing- good luck with the apartment search 🤗 10mo
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Skeeterisme
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Wonderful

WorldsOkayestStepMom This is one of my favorite books! 10mo
57 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Itchyfeetreader
Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

This was an easy historical fiction read - overall I enjoyed the story of Lakshmi a woman who ran from her husband and recreates herself as a henna artist in post colonial Jaipur. It was a quick read and it felt a bit rushed but a low pick.

41 likes1 stack add
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Jas16
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Lakshmi is on verge of achieving her dream of owning her own home when the husband she fled years ago arrives with the sister she didn‘t know existed. Caring for her sister causes great changes to her life, the repercussions of which may undermine years of careful work. Lots of mixed reviews for this one but I really enjoyed it and felt for Lakshmi as she tried so hard to do the best she could for everyone.
#anypartofatrilogy #booked2023

52 likes1 stack add
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yourfavouritemixtape
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Bookclub night tonight! This month we read The Henna Artist and I am not completely sure. It was entertaining but I was not invested in the slightest bit in these characters.

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eanderson
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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One of my favorites from 2022 😍 #12booksofChristmas

Andrew65 A popular book. 1y
robinb Looking forward to reading this one, Elisabeth! 😘 1y
30 likes2 comments
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Catsandbooks
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Mehso-so

3/5 ⭐️ Kinda disappointed with this one. I had a really hard time focusing on it and found the characters to be frustrating.
#FoodandLit

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Lunakay
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

I liked it, but I think it tried a bit too hard to show all the ways women might have struggled in that time and society. Actually I think one essential situation might be missing: the happy woman with or without children or a happily married couple. This felt a bit forced and unrealistic, but the story is good and it wasn't easy to put down!

I bought the sequel so definitely a pick ;)
3,5/🌟

#foodandlit

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Catsandbooks
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Hi #FoodandLit Buddy Readers!

What do you think of the book so far? I'm about a 1/3 through and I feel medium. I don't dislike it but I'm not sure if I exactly like it either. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I know a few of you have finished it already, so did you have any favorite characters? Hated characters?

Lunakay I like Malik best, he seems the only one with good sense!😄 I think the book is trying a bit too hard to show all possible angles of the social injustices and hardships women had to deal with in that time and culture, so that the overall story gets sidetracked and feels a bit slow at times. I still enjoyed it so far 1y
Blackink_WhitePaper @Lunakay completely agree with you. I am puzzled by Lakshmi‘s husband character. I feel the character development is unclear may be author emphasised too much on transformation of characters. 1y
BookNAround I‘m so terrible on buddy reads! I should probably pick this up and start it. 😂 1y
55 likes3 comments
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Lunakay
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi

It's funny, there were two plot twists happening at once and I found one to be absolutely predictable, the other one left me totally surprised.
Looking forward to the next part of the book!🤓🤯

#foodandlit #india

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Blackink_WhitePaper
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

It‘s b/n pick & so-so. I like this cos of Strong female characters & story depicts the parallel medicinal approach of both Ayurveda & western medicine. But it could ve included other interesting historical events connected to the plot. There were few prejudices in d conversations which I didn‘t like. Good story but it felt less historical to me 3⭐️In d story MC is good at creating mandalas. This pic was taken in a temple last week. #foodandlit

Catsandbooks Beautiful mandala!! ❤️🇮🇳 1y
Catsandbooks Just wanted to let you know that @Texreader and I are actually the hosts of FoodandLit. Thebookhippie is not a host but a wonderful and active participant ☺️ 1y
Blackink_WhitePaper @Catsandbooks oh I m so sorry 😧 from next time I ll keep this in mind 🤗 1y
See All 11 Comments
Bookwormjillk That‘s lovely! 1y
TheBookHippie @Catsandbooks 😂♥️♥️♥️✊🏼 😘 1y
TheBookHippie I gave the book a 2 out of 5 😅. I have problems with historical fiction most of the time 😵‍💫 I felt some of it was either prejudicial or hugely misinformed not sure but it didn‘t feel right to me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y
TheBookHippie Love the picture!!! Yes this is a favorite challenge of mine! ♥️ I love seeing your posts! 1y
Texreader Beautiful photo! And we‘re very happy to have you participate!! 1y
Blackink_WhitePaper @TheBookHippie I am glad that you have same opinion on this book 😅🥰 it completely sidelines Indian literature in this book. 1y
Blackink_WhitePaper @Texreader thank you 💐🥰 1y
49 likes11 comments
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Erin.Elizabeth10
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

This was a great book! It had so many layers. The main character is balancing taking care of herself, taking care of her sister who has newly appeared in her life, and taking care of the needs of her clients. This is one of those books that is comfortable asking more questions than giving more answers. I am interested to read the sequel!

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Lunakay
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Cooking my favourite Paneer Pasanda and Naan for #FoodandLit India!
Should really make that more often 😅

Lunakay @TheBookHippie The recipe is from this brilliant cookbook! Highly recommended ;) 1y
TheBookHippie @Lunakay oh thank you!!!! 1y
Catsandbooks Looks great! 🇮🇳 1y
19 likes4 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Repost for @Catsandbooks

The #FoodandLit Buddy Read for India in November is The Henna Artist! 🇮🇳

This is a casual read-at-your-own-pace buddy read. Anyone is welcome to join! Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in the check-in posts.

IMASLOWREADER loved this book 🙌 1y
49 likes1 comment
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Catsandbooks
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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The #FoodandLit Buddy Read for India in November is The Henna Artist! 🇮🇳

This is a casual read-at-your-own-pace buddy read. Anyone is welcome to join! Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in the check-in posts.

Bookwormjillk I‘ve read this one so I‘ll sit out, but I think you‘ll like it. 1y
TheBookHippie Yes planning on it!! 1y
tdrosebud This is my planned book! It has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. 1y
See All 6 Comments
Blackink_WhitePaper I have not participated in foodandlit challenge before. But I am interested in this book and I am from India. Can I join in ? @Catsandbooks 1y
Catsandbooks @Blackink_WhitePaper Absolutely! Anyone is welcome to join in at any time! If you have anything you'd like to share about India that is welcome too! Pictures, favorite foods, stories, interesting facts, etc. 😊🇮🇳 1y
42 likes1 stack add6 comments
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melissajayne
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

4⭐️ I read this for my library #bookclub for October and I quite enjoyed it. I liked that the main character was a fairly strong character and was very aware of the limitations that not only being female but also separated from her husband put on her. #2022 #bookreview #bookstagram #historicalfiction #india #fiction #reesesbookclub

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mollyrotondo
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I learned so much about henna from this book. I will admit I didn‘t really understand what henna was but this book taught me that artists have different styles and paint different images to help with certain needs and occasions. I would definitely recommend this for historical fiction lovers.

41 likes1 stack add
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wen4blu
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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“Her feet step lightly on the hard earth, calloused souls insensible to the tiny pebbles and caked mud along the riverbank.”

#firstlinefridays
#currentlyreading

@ShyBookOwl

36 likes1 stack add
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LitsyEvents
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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repost for @Catsandbooks, @Texreader, @Butterfinger,

The final 3 books of #FoodandLit Buddy Reads for 2022!

This is a casual read-at-your-own-pace buddy read. Anyone is welcome to join! Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in the check-in posts.

How are we entering the last quarter of the year?!?!
Have you liked having buddy reads this year? Do you want #FoodandLit buddy reads to continue in 2023?

43 likes1 comment
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Yahui07
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Mehso-so

A good story however predicable. A book between pick and soso (more toward soso)😉

7 likes1 stack add
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katy4peas
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Wow. This one pulled me in and I loved the narration! The Indian culture in 1950s is so interesting, and I loved learning about the symbolism behind the henna designs. So weird how timely some of the topics are. I can‘t believe we have gone back that far in modern society. However, learning about it in this setting was eye-opening. I loved most of the characters and will definitely continue on with the next book or two in the series. #India

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

#blameitonlitsy This was a great read.

92 likes1 stack add
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Mshookquilts
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Another excellent read! I really didn‘t like her selfish, sneaky, even mean, little sister, though she grew on me at the end. Lakshmi watches her life be destroyed for the 2nd time through happenings beyond her control. Yet she stays strong trying to figure out what is next even as she grieves her bad circumstances.

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BookishBelle
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Finished this one on #Audio today. #AudioCommute
It was very good!

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eanderson
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

So beautiful… seriously loved this book! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🥹 All the stars!

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WriterAtHeart
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

What a beautiful story about a women who built up her life only to have to do it all over again. This is a story of life, family, perseverance, and growth. Lakshmi was an interesting protagonist and I enjoyed her growth throughout the story.

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SanjanaGhosh
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

❤️

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DivineDiana
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

I found this book fascinating! My lovely ESL student is a henna artist, and we often discuss her art. She started a small henna business. Reading this book gave me an understanding of the cultural significance and intricacies of the Art. The main character,Lakshmi,is a strong woman who struggles to be independent and care for her younger sister. Life in 1950‘s Jaipur comes alive in this book! #booked2022 #includesarecipe

BarbaraTheBibliophage I liked this one also. Haven‘t read the second book yet, though. 2y
DivineDiana @BarbaraTheBibliophage My student is still reading this one, and then we will discuss. We are planning to continue with the next one! 2y
Cinfhen I LOVED this book too!! But I couldn‘t get into the sequel 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen So cool about your ESL student!! I‘d love to do a henna design next time I‘m in Philly 😍💕 2y
BookBabe Pretty design in the picture! 2y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen That can be arranged! ❤️ 2y
DivineDiana @BookBabe The designs have so much meaning, and can be very intricate. ❤️ 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @DivineDiana Litsy Henna Meetup!! I‘m in! 2y
Cinfhen That would be AWESOME @BarbaraTheBibliophage @DivineDiana 🥳 2y
55 likes10 comments
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Evita
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

4 out of 5

2 likes1 stack add
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eanderson
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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New audiobook while playing trains with Matty! 😋 Happy Tuesday!

Cinfhen I really loved this story and the narration was fabulous!! Enjoy 😊 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 2y
BarbaraBB So cute! 2y
42 likes3 comments
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DivineDiana
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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I am an ESL tutor for a lovely Indian woman who also is a henna artist! As part of our lessons, we read and discuss books. In the past, I have chosen middle grade chapter books. When I saw this book, I asked her if she wanted the challenge to leap to an adult book. The answer was a resounding yes! She is loving it!

Kimzey What a happy pursuit! I hope you both enjoy it. Keep us posted. 2y
DivineDiana @Kimzey My student is loving it! She can relate to the characters, and told me that once she finishes, she wants to read again! There is a section in the back of the book that explains Hindi terms, but she is enjoying teaching me about customs and geography. Win-Win. I will! ❤️ 2y
BiblioLitten How lovely 🥰 2y
71 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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MallenNC
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

This was my #BookSpin for February. I am glad I finally read it after having it on my shelf forever. I thought it was interesting and I care enough about the characters to read the sequel. The sister character got on my nerves so much, until I remembered that she was only 13.

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Cathyloves2read
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

I really liked this story.I enjoyed learning about the Indian culture. It is so very different than the way I was brought up. The history of Henna Intrigued me.Reading about the caste system was also very interesting.Although I didn‘t agree with everything that the protagonist did, I grew to like her character. I found the glossary of terms at the end of the book to be very useful, and I referred to it a lot! All in all, this was a very good book.

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sarahfisch
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

An incredibly clever read! I loved it from start to finish.

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IndoorDame
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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marleed A friend of mine was married last year wrapped inside all this beautiful tradition. Over the course of a couple weeks she would post a single pic and explain the tradition. Did you know that wrapped inside these henna‘d hands will somewhere be spelled the name of the husband. Priya‘s husband Joe‘s was ‘tattooed‘ in the tiny ribbons of ink on the inside of her hand. I couldn‘t see it until the hints were made very clear to me! So cool! 2y
IndoorDame @marleed neat! I had no idea people wrote their husbands names in the designs. 2y
CaitlinDBurnside Love Henna Tattoos. Had one in the late 70s of a Celtic Triquetra which lasted for nearly 13 weeks. Done at a Fair by a Romani Gypsy. It was incredible how it lasted so long🤣🤣🤣. I love the Indian ones they're so intricate and delicate. I suffer from needle phobia so best alternative 🙃👍 2y
marleed @CaitlinDBurnside that‘s so cool. I love seeing the women in a wedding party and all their painted hands. It has to me a memory made for a lifetime! (edited) 2y
57 likes4 comments
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IndoorDame
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

I got completely swept up in this story and read it in one day. All of the characters are vividly drawn, and while all of them have faults that are constantly on display, you feel their inherent goodness so keenly that it‘s easy to forgive them almost anything. The main story is set in 1956 and offers a startlingly intimate portrayal of India just post independence.

IndoorDame

#NewYearWhoDis @jen_the_scribe Thank you for the recommendation! This one definitely spoke to me. @monalyisha
2y
jen_the_scribe @IndoorDame So glad this one spoke to you! 2y
63 likes2 comments
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Yonkinl
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

Great

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IMASLOWREADER
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Andrew65 A popular book. 2y
IMASLOWREADER its the book of the month at my library book club :) 2y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Clwojick
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Pickpick

Another brilliant read during #Jumpstart2022 and a great pairing for #AestheticallyMatched. 💖

Lizpixie Nice job. I‘ve always wanted to get my hands done👐 2y
Ddzmini Love the picture of her hands beautiful 😍 2y
81 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Rachiiebookdragon
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
Pickpick

An interesting book 😊 Read for the #PopSugarReadingChallenge2021 3.75/5

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rachelm
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Did my annual random item/book recommendation book pairing, this time with a drink and vibe by request. I decided to do my book wrap for the year a little early since the upcoming weeks look so busy 😅

https://rachelmansmckenny.substack.com/p/the-one-with-all-the-books

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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed this book. As a historical fictional book, I found it to be an "easy", yet still intriguing book.
I found the history about India fascinating and appreciated the research that was done by the author.

33 likes1 stack add
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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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This book has been on my list far too long

nichollinlove It's a good one! 2y
Yoricke_SouthAfrica @nichollinlove I'm really looking forward to it. 2y
27 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Roxanareads
The Henna Artist | Alka Joshi
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September reads