Shubhi And Friends Start A BookClub

In this episode, we dive deep into a truly captivating retelling of one of the greatest Indian epics. Today, we’re exploring Sita by the mythologist, Devdutt Pattanaik. In this book, Pattanaik brings a fresh perspective to the timeless tale of the Ramayana , centering the narrative around Sita, it's often-understated heroine. The idea was to introduce Mary to Hindu mythology on the occasion of Diw...

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India. In this episode, we discuss the games we played while growing up and how radi...

In this episode, we discuss C aste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. It is a deeply insightful and thought-provoking book that examines the hidden social hierarchy that has shaped America. Wilkerson uses the concept of caste to describe a rigid social structure that categorizes people based on perceived rank and status, often influenced by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic back...

In this episode, we read The Silent Patient. It came highly recommended to us by a friend. It’s one of those books that had us questioning everything by the end. If you’re a fan of mystery, unexpected twists, and a bit of psychological complexity, this one’s for you. This book tackles some intense themes like trauma, guilt, and the idea of self-deception. Without giving too much away, the twist in...

The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, India, spanning from the early 20th century to the 1970s. At its core, the novel follows a matriarch known as ‘Big Ammachi’ and her descendants, whose lives are inextricably linked to the natural world and especially the water around them. But there’s also a fascinating mystery woven through: a family curse that leads to a strange and tragic fate involving d...

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India. In this episode we read Essay 1 of the book and discuss some chapters within...

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India. In this episode we read Essay 1 of the book and discuss some chapters within...

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India. In this episode we read Essay 1 of the book and discuss some chapters within...

In this episode, we discuss the book “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch. “Prophet Song” is a uniquely powerful and haunting novel set in a dystopian version of Ireland. The story follows Eilish Stack, a scientist and mother, as she navigates a society increasingly under the grip of authoritarian rule. The book’s uniqueness lies in its intense exploration of fear, resistance, and the human spirit under e...

In this episode, we delve into essay no. 3 "The Sacrament of Divorce" from Ann Patchett's book "The Story of a Happy Marriage". In this essay, Patchett navigates the complex terrain of divorce, examining it not just as an end, but as a significant rite of passage that transforms lives. "The Sacrament of Divorce" offers a reflection on the emotional and spiritual a...

In this episode, our young guest Shiravlli Batra delves into Greek mythology, captivating listeners with her storytelling style. Explore the intricate world of Greek mythology through the eyes of Percy Jackson, the troubled hero in the first book of this popular series. Tune in for an engaging journey into ancient tales and legends!   #GreekMythology   #PercyJackson   #Storytelling

In a special episode, we explore insights from Rick Macci and Dr. Nivedita Uberoi Jerath, authors of the new book "Billion Dollar Mind - A practical guide to the game of life." Rick Macci, a renowned tennis coach, has mentored icons like Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Dr. Nivedita, an accomplished neurologist and avid tennis student, offers a unique perspective on...

In this episode, we continue to read Anne Fadiman book - Ex Libris. We read essay 4 "Scorn not the Sonnet" and Essay 5 "Never do that to a book". Essay 4 is about her journey to write sonnets which are liked by all. While Annapurna is inspired to read more sonnets and poems, Shubhi is at peace and understands that she may never understand any sonnet on her own. Mary has an expo...

In this episode, we continue to read the book "This is a story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett which is collection of her essays. We read and discuss two essays in this episode - Essay 4 - The Paris Match and Essay 5- The Dog's Life. If you are someone who loves to play the word game essay 4 is for you. Essay 5 is about her love for a dog and we discuss if we are baby typue or d...

Published in 2021, "Still Life" follows the lives of two individuals, Ulysses Temper and Evelyn Skinner, whose paths intersect in unexpected ways. As the story unfolds, "Still Life" delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the transformative power of art in overcoming adversity. Do listen to ascertain what we liked or not about this book.

Everyone has one odd bookshelf constituting a very specific not so common topic which they may or may not be vocal about. In this episode we discuss our odd bookshelves and why do we have them.

Well, Shubhi is not the biggest fan of historical fictions. It’s not her favorite genre. But when Mary suggested and presented with a chance to read about real life story of Belle de Costa Greene, she couldn’t say no to this journey! This book definitely inspired and exposed us to part of history that Annapurna and Shubhi were not aware of. The length of this episode kind of suggests how much the...

As we continue to read Ann Patchett's book The Story of a Happy Marriage, we read Essay no. 2 in the book which in summary is about writing. This essay could also be about pursuing any passion in general where she talks about discipline and guidance she receives and how her passion for writing keeps on getting deeper and deeper.

In the timeless realm of gods and heroes, where the lines between myth and reality blur, Stephen Fry takes us on a journey of Greek mythological stories through "Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold". The book stands out for its narrative style, humor, wit, clarity, personal touch of author and of course a subject that we want to learn more about .. greek mythology. Please do tell us if you li...

This is the next episode in the series of us reading essays by Anne Fadiman from her book "Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader". In this episode we read her essay titled: The Joy of Sesquipedalian. The joy of being sesquipedalian lies in the unabashed embrace of long and intricate words. Sesquipedalianism is a love for using long, multisyllabic words, often characterized by a desir...

Welcome to our Christmas special episode. This week we are talking about the book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens in our book club. This book carries a timeless message of compassion, generosity, and redemption. The central theme revolves around the transformative power of kindness and the importance of empathy toward others, particularly during the holiday season. The protagonist...

***Christmas Special***** We are starting a new series where we discuss essays from some famous and influential authors. Second in the series is "This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett". And this episode is about the first essay - The Christmas Story. The book covers a range of topics, from Patchett's experiences as a writer to her perspectives on love and commitment....

"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is a one of the most popular books in 2023 claiming an exploration of the human behaviors and psychological patterns that shape financial decisions. Housel offers a perspective on money matters, going beyond conventional financial advice of taking calculated risks and delving into the emotional and cognitive aspects that often drive financial su...

We are starting a new series where we discuss essays from some famous and influential authors. First in the series is "Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader" by Ann Fadiman. It is a collection of essays that explores the author's lifelong love affair with books. Fadiman reflects on various aspects of her reading life, from her childhood experiences to the quirks of book lovers. T...

We were in the mood for some non-fiction and selected the hugely popular book by Dr. Carol S. Dweck, one of the world's leading researchers in the field of psychology and its impact on human behaviour.  https://profiles.stanford.edu/carol-dweck/ Shubhi read it for the first time. Mary and Annapurna have read it many times and love it. You might enjoy 'Mindset' for its practical insight...