Happy Saturday!!

As a series, I love these books and Children of Memory was an interesting wrap-up. But as a standalone novel, this really doesn‘t live up to its predecessors - Time and Ruin.

This book starts out strong, but the ending is very weak. Even for Tchaikovsky‘s standards, this was just plain weird. In that, it did not make much sense. The author tried a little too hard with this one.

But, is this book readable? Yes.

Narration is spectacular.

Anyone believe in or practice astrology here? I used to be a non-believer before, but now I can understand the science behind it and have found so much value in astrology. Specifically for psychological work.

I recently discovered this gem of a personalised almanac by Honeycomb Co. and it‘s so helpful. All placements, aspects & transits are customised to me and I can be more mindful about my actions, thoughts and speech.

Anyone else uses it?

This book is so good! Typically we hear of palaeontology and geology that pertains to North America or Europe. But to read about the incredible ancient life and geological history of my country, is so exciting. I am so glad I started 2023 with this book. Yay! 😍🥰🇮🇳💚

A brilliant read. Very engaging and entertaining.

Kalidasa‘s portrayal of love, sex and desire in the relationship between Shiva and Parvati is so human; despite chronicling the Gods.

This is such a pleasure-affirming book, that can help remove the taboos around sex still present in India.

Heifetz‘s translation, although not 100% accurate, is very accessible.

I jotted down tons of notes and thoughts about gender and sexual politics here.

New books!! 😍💖💚❤️🌺

1) Love, Eroticism and Female Sexuality in Classical Sanskrit Literature (7th-13th CE)

2) The Making of Womanhood: Gender Relations in The Mahabharata

Both by Shalini Shah, celebrated Associate Professor of History, University of Delhi.

Book containing some of the earliest devotional poetry written by the very first Buddhist women and female saints. 💖💖 2023 looks so exciting!!

2022 reading list. Happy and proud. Looking forward to 2023‘s books! 💚💖🥰🌏 Not a super long list, but still a really enriching selection. 😁

((Photo also includes Mahabharata critical edition - Book 1 and Book 2 (20%))

Happy new year everyone! Have a brilliant 2023!!

The characters are not well fleshed out. There is absolutely no conflict in Marie‘s life and she is portrayed like a goddess with a golden touch, rather than a human working against the cis-het patriarchy.

There was a section which shows a rape suddenly turning consensual. It‘s shocking that this is one of the examples used to “champion” LGBTQ+ love.

There were so many problematic themes, that whatever good was in it, was overshadowed for me.

Early morning reading is the best. There is nothing better to gently awaken our senses, than a cup of hot coffee and a delightful book.

Really enjoying this masterpiece. If only I knew to read Sanskrit **sigh** 💚💖

Empress energy of creation seeping in this weekend. Spent the past few hours designing widgets for my digital planner. Fun start to the Saturday, that‘s for sure. 😄

Anyone else feeling like getting creative and artistic today? 😃

Written sometime b/w 1010 AD & 1050 AD, Samaya Matrika is a delightful read, about a courtesan & her madam in Kashmir.

Most books in Sanskrit are about religion or philosophy. But, there were many writers specialising in satire, comedy & erotica. Samaya Matrika checks all three boxes.

Kshemendra takes two stances at once, in this book. Talking about the guile of courtesans, he also places the blame squarely on the men who demand their services.

Called “Ghare Baire” in Bengali, this book is a symbolic representation of India‘s relationship with herself & her colonisers, told through the relationship of the protagonist Bimala wirh her husband Nikhil and a friend, Sandeep.

I found the book very poignant - capturing the internal conflict of identity that I & millions of other Indians even today experience in our relationship with our country and our place in the world.

#adventrecommends

A Nana lookalike (almost) and its sibling. 🥰

Today these two went away on an expedition the entire day. Their mom was worried sick and so was I. But thank god they knew how to get back home. 💚

Enjoying this brilliant book with a mug of beer. So hilarious, sassy, blunt in its truth and full of wisdom. 🥰💖

#AdventRecommends

Jane Eyre was on my wishlist for a long time. Glad that I waited to listen to this narration. Thandiwe Newton is brilliant - bringing the characters and the slow narrative to life.

Funnily, I read Wide Sargasso Sea before I listened to Jane Eyre. But, the competing narratives really offered a very well rounded experience. Recommend.

As an Indian it felt strange and frustrating listening to them romanticise colonisation and forced conversions.

Starting December 2022, I‘m planning to dive into the smaller books I have in my Ancient Indian, Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit Classics.

I love reading classics and mythology of any country. But it‘s something all the more special when these works belong to your own.

I can‘t wait to partake of the imagination and creativity of my ancestors. December, here I come! 🥰🎉🥂

Is tarot like crochet?

According to Pessoa, his mental and literary activities are. And to me, tarot does fall into that category.

We pull cards everyday. Do spreads. Dive deep. Psychoanalyse. But for what?

It does sometimes feel like a “stitch on stitch forming a whole without a whole”. We find our messages, but how do we use them?

Do we just read the cards? Or feel for ourselves deeply and move on? Or, do we use them to really live?

New journals are always fun to bring home. I‘m currently enjoying exploring journal prompts that I find (and feel called to) on different social platforms.

It feels so glorious, taking someone else‘s train of thought and weaving our own little stories into the collective tapestry.

My journaling sessions post-meditation are particularly cathartic.

Does anyone else enjoy journaling? What does your journaling session look like? 😌

Kintu trace the lives of different people who are connected by a single clan. All characters come together to reckon with a centuries long curse that plagues them.

But what is the curse? A malevolent energy intent on wrecking their lives? Or a far more sinister reality that no one wants to acknowledge?

This book beautifully showcases Ugandan culture and African beliefs. The narrator has done a phenomenal job with authentic pronunciation.

Inspired by this book, i got myself a bottle of Arka Mead. Enjoying this on the lovely event of Diwali. A very wonderful festival of lights, love and laughter to all of you! 😄🥰🥳

A Wild Sheep Chase was my first Murakami listen. I had read Kafka On The Shore before and found that listening to Murakami was significantly better.

This book was quite hilarious. Some parts were a little ramble-y, as is Murakami‘s style. But overall, this book was very funny and entertaining.

The narrator, David, has done a fine job and brings the protagonist to life in all his disenchanted stupor. 😄

Morning well spent with a cup of steaming filter coffee and the exciting characters from Ponniyin Selvan. 😌

Having read historical fiction from other countries and even Northern India, I felt it was high time to come back to my roots - to Southern India.

And what a fun journey its been so far! I‘m still on Volume 1 and there are two more to go. Can‘t wait to experience this epic journey through the books, before the movie comes out.

Interested in exploring books on world religions and indigenous cultures? I‘ve compiled a list of 59 books spanning across 16 religions, in my new video - https://youtu.be/4VwZzvmuNig

Check it out to see the first set of books I recommend if anyone is interested in learning about global religions and indigenous belief systems.

While I agree that we need more books about conservation and climate advocacy, there were such strong underlying themes of racism and indigenous exclusionary behaviour in the book, that I just could not get behind it.

You can watch my video review here, where I discuss the problems I have with The Overstory and why we need to become more vocal about these issues - https://youtu.be/XMlg9Bjuw70

A very compelling book tracing the Holocaust‘s impact on France and the bravery of the women who gave up everything to save hundreds of innocent lives. A must listen.

Kristen is a genius writer and Polly is a phenomenal performer. :)

I absolutely loved this book told from a cat‘s perspective. So tender and tinted with both joy and sorrow.

There was a part of the story that I did feel was unnecessary. But overall, it doesn‘t detract from the book.

The narration was amazing! One of the best on Audible. A definite must-listen for everyone. In fact, I say listen to the book rather than read.

If you‘re a cat lover, this will really touch your heart and warm your soul.

“Choice” by Jodi Picoult is a compelling listen, that flips the gender narrative of today‘s world.

Its a world set against the (overturned) Roe v. Wade legal environment, where cis-het men get pregnant and experience what it feels like to be a pregnant woman in a world designed by men and for men.

I think everyone should listen to this Audible Original title. Especially the men - and particularly, ALL CIS-HET MEN.

Its 38 mins long.

I can‘t even begin to express how absolutely spectacular this book was.

A very moving and heartbreaking story, coupled with a magnificent, all-cast performance. You HAVE to listen to this book.

No, don‘t read it. LISTEN.

You‘ll be missing out on something very special if you don‘t.

(T.W of abuse and assault)

P.S: They‘ve put out a podcast called The Girls: Finding Sadie on Apple Podcast.

Watch review on https://youtu.be/jmfZizKKaS4

What a wonderful book! It is a fictional account surrounding the real Dance Plague of 1518. The book explores the myriad facets of love and grief. It also very sensitively handles important themes like LGBTQIA+ love, immigration and pregnancy loss. I highly recommend this book. The descriptions were so lush and you acutely feel for the characters. The narration was superb!

Watch review on: https://youtu.be/f026n-ezFjs

Spending time with Nana, immersing myself in her exciting life, along with my friend, dear Ms. Vodka.

Aren‘t cocktails and chronicles of interesting characters the very best combination?🥂

A very interesting and comprehensive perspective into the lives of the Sackler family; and their role as manufacturers and marketers of Opioids, which contributed to the horrible opioid crisis in the US.

The research is extensive. The author has done a fabulous job at narrating the book.

Some sections do feel a little repetitive and I do feel the book would have been even better if it was a little tighter.

But overall, a good book.

This was a really interesting book, told from the perspectives of women from the Dalit tribes and other “lower” castes.

The Mahabharata is considered a Dharmayuddha - a war of righteousness.

But who is the war being righteous to - the kings who will benefit from the wealth and land and women they earn as victors; or the poor soldiers and farmers forced to participate in the war by their overlords; or the widows and orphans they leave behind?

I normally don‘t talk about oracle deck guide books. But if you enjoy using these spiritual tools, you should get these decks to reward the reader in you -

The Amenti Oracle
The Heart Path Oracle
The Wild Unknown Archetypes Oracle

Each book is rich with information & beautifully written. They share facts, offer helpful tips on mindful living & make you think about your role in the world. I absolutely love them.

Do you have these decks/books?

This book reads like the author‘s personal diary & not really a “resource” on the wheel of the year. The chapters feel like they‘re musings & thoughts just pinned together to make a book. Like a “pinterest board” as an analogy the author uses in the book. While it was interesting to read how the author practices, this book didn‘t teach much. I wouldn‘t recommend it to a beginner. It‘s only skim-worthy to get ideas on personalising the wheel.

Using humour, personal anecdotes & technical information from the American funeral industry, the author helps us get acquainted & comfortable with death.

It is these humorous, LOL anecdotes, that make us feel silly for being afraid of death, while also feeling awkward for laughing about something taboo & serious.

The narration by the author is really good. Not at all grim reaper-like, as the popular narratives have told us, morticians are.

A very happy world book day to all of you! 💚🌸

This book explores two timelines and narratives - one during the Japanese occupation of Singapore and another a few decades after it.

I think books like these are really important for humanity to retain its horrifying history.

While the work could have been shorter by a few chapters, overall it was illuminating. The two narrators deserve a standing ovation for their commitment to bringing this book to life.

Just downloaded StoryGraph and love that they have a reading personality tracker.

I uploaded a handful of books from this year and already my reading personality shows that I am a reader who loves to reflect.

It‘s one thing to unconsciously know this, another to see your preferences being captured so vividly in a graph.

Is anyone else on StoryGraph? What has your experience been like?

What a phenomenal book. Comedic and heartbreaking. Such a compelling listen. Plus, it gives you so much to think about - and makes you empathise with insects too!

The narrator has done a wonderful job. This book is free in the Audible Plus catalogue (in case anyone is interested in listening to it).

As you listen to the book, your understanding of the title changes. Ruin takes on new shapes and you‘re left with a sense of awe.

Both the books are a mirror to today‘s (real) society and the story makes you think about our actions.

Adrian is a genius and the narrator has done a fabulous job. If you are new to sci-fi like me and want to dip your toes into this genre, then choose this series.

You won‘t regret it. You‘ll go on an adventure.

“Orphaned” by SL Bhyrappa is an Indian novel written in Kannada. It explores the philosophical & practical issues around humanity‘s relationship with animals - especially cows.

The cow is sacred to Hindus and is divine. But outside Hinduism, the cow takes a utilitarian perspective. The book explores which ideology is right - should animals be treated as tools meant for human consumption or should they be accorded greater respect and love?

This is my first sci-fi genre book ever, and I enjoyed it tremendously. 😄

It talks of a time when the Earth is no more and humanity searches for a new home. The book explores so many incredible themes such as genocide, racism, sexism, cultural misinformation and greed.

I loved the ending - what a spectacular alternative to reality. Definitely recommend this book if you‘re starting out with science fiction.

Children of Ruin - here I come 😃

This is a complete translation of the Critical Edition of the Valmiki Ramayana. Beautifully done and its stayed true to the source material 100%. Including the mistakes & tone changes in the source. That was very nice.

Lots of notes in this one - from word meanings to sanskrit synonyms to explanation of Hindu philosophical tenets.

Pick this book up only if you have good knowledge about the Ramayana. It goes very in-depth and can be a tad dry.

Such a heartbreaking book about a family with Schizophrenia. Their daily struggles, their contribution to scientific research & humanity‘s seemingly never ending challenge to find a reason & a cure for this dangerous condition.

The book has been very empathetically written. You feel acutely for the Galvins. It reminded me how so many of us take our cognition, speech, movement & freedom for granted. When in fact, they‘re our greatest blessings.

A really nice insight into the Vietnam war from the Vietnamese perspective. Loved the Vietnamese pronunciation of the phrases and songs. It was very authentic. Describes generational trauma and the power of forgiveness.

(Book is Not on Litsy)

It‘s an interpretation of the Ramayana & narrates the epic from the POV of five minor female characters who are important to the epic, but seldom given any page space.

The book was good, but it won‘t blow your socks off. Its unique perspective was refreshing in an epic that has been hugely male centric.

Narration was fine & authentic since the narrator could pronounce Indian names perfectly.

Easy, one time listen.

A story of loss and love set in Alaska, this book was very well written. While some of the storylines are predictable, there‘s never a dull moment. You‘ll be invested in the characters from the get go.

The author has captured Alaska‘s wildness, her imperviousness & also her love & tenderness very well. I won‘t be surprised if someone went to Alaska to find their own adventure after reading this book.

Julia Whelan‘s narration was spectacular.

I get why people like this book. The author has done a tremendous amount of research for the scientific portions of this book.

But, that scientific information started to feel like the author was showing off how much knowledge they had.

It felt as though the characters & fictional tales were created as an afterthought. Somewhere mid way, the author decided to make a non fiction book into fiction.

Suffice to say the book did not read well.

Thank you @Eggs for the tag. A very happy autumnal Equinox to you & everyone reading this post 💚. For this season, I‘ve chosen to work with the archetype of The Empress & her nurturing energy. To harvest the generosity we have received this year, despite being in the clutches of a pandemic.

In light of this, we need to be cognisant of how we live our life. We must make Choices which are in our highest good so we don‘t squander this generosity.