ALL POSTS

On a white round table in a cafe, lies a copy of Hilary Mantel's historical fiction novel Bring up the Bodies. Beside it are a cup of hot chocolate, a croissant and a small plant. In the background are shelves displaying the cafe's goods. Photo by Ninay Desai

Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

Certainly brings the goods when it comes to characterization, atmospheric writing and narrative style.

Book Reviews

Sep 265 min read

A handwritten letter lies half-covered by a post-marked envelope, a pink ribbon and a vase with a few mauve flowers. Image by Debby Hudson.

You've Got Mail: The Age of Letters

Finding old letters in a shoebox is like being sprinkled accidentally with stardust. It's nostalgic, kind of magical and the shimmer sticks.

Blogs

Sep 123 min read

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Too simplistic and lacking in depth to be touching.

Book Reviews

Aug 223 min read

A metal shopping basket with a mix of fresh food and canned goods on a blue-and-white checkered tablecloth against an orange background.

Honey, I Shrunk the Goods: The Story of Shrinkflation, Skimpflation & Excuseflation

Are you aware that sneaky forms of inflation are manipulating you away from getting your money's worth?

Blogs

Aug 83 min read

The Enigma of Room 622 by Joel Dicker

Set in the Swiss Alps, this is a murder mystery wrapped in a legacy battle, boardroom intrigue and a love triangle.

Book Reviews

Jul 183 min read

A desktop computer displaying the text Do More in bold white letters against a black background. The computer is placed on a desk with the usual office paraphernalia next to a shelf with notebooks, boxes and a plant.

Simple Productivity Tips to get Stuff Done

Smart hacks to boost productivity without missing out on rest and joy.

Blogs

Jul 46 min read

On a teak table, a copy of E Lockhart's novel We were Liars lies open near a blue drink. Tossed near the book is a satin scarf with a paisley pattern. Photo by Ninay Desai

We were Liars by E Lockhart

A private island owned by a privileged family. An accident. Secrets. Forbidden Love. And lies upon lies.

Book Reviews

Jun 204 min read

An illuminated sign saying 'this must be the place' on a clear glass plaque on a wall with a brown, blush and green geometric pattern.

Do you have a Third Place?

If not at home or work, where would you be on a regular day?

Blogs

Jun 64 min read

In a cafe nestled amidst trees and plants, on a glass table lies a frappe, a pair of black sunglasses and a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's David and Goliath. Photo by Ninay Desai.

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Challenging perceptions of strength and weakness, it is interesting in parts but not quite a slay.

Book Reviews

May 163 min read

Popcorn in a red-and-white striped box, a bottle with red liquid labelled Love Drunk next to two wine glasses and a string of coupons against a red and pink backdrop.

The Resurgence of Romantic Comedies

Are Rom-Coms and Feel-Good movies making a comeback? Spoiler Alert: I think so.

Blogs

May 24 min read

On a slatted wooden table sit a bunch of pink peonies with some greens arranged in a small teal green watering can. Besides it, lies a copy of Jojo Moyes' novel Me before You and a light brown notebook with a pen drawing of a Paris scene on its cover. Photo by Ninay Desai.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Old-fashioned friendship-turned-romance with a bittersweet ending.

Book Reviews

Apr 183 min read

An audio tape lies unspooled against a bright yellow background. In the context of this blog post, it symbolises planned obsolescence.

Planned Obsolescence: The Open Secret that Endangers Us

Are we being manipulated into buying more than we need? And who's paying for it?

Blogs

Apr 45 min read

A black and white puppy seated on a striped cream sofa next to a copy of Robert Harris' historical fiction, An Officer and A Spy. Photo by Ninay Desai.

An Officer and A Spy by Robert Harris

A gripping, impeccably-crafted and poignant historical espionage novel about the Dreyfus Affair.

Book Reviews

Mar 144 min read

A young woman and a young man sitting by a campfire on a beach at night, the woman holding a bottle. A calm sea and hills in the background create a peaceful mood of genuine conversation and relaxation.

Conversations to Know People Better

Late night conversations can be trump cards when it comes to revealing hopes, fears and character.

Blogs

Feb 143 min read

A copy of Matt Ridley's The Evolution of Everything with a bright yellow cover lies propped face-down on a wooden table with an iced coffee, a bowl of French fries and pair of sunglasses. Photo by Ninay Desai.

The Evolution of Everything by Matt Ridley

Interesting in the beginning but let down by the clumsy cherry-picking of data.

Book Reviews

Jan 174 min read

The Most Popular Blog Posts of 2024

Like, comment and share your favourite post of 2024!

Blogs

Dec 27, 20245 min read

A copy of Andrew Taylor's A Stain on the Silence lies on a teak table next to a bunch of wild weeds tied with a powder blue ribbon. Photo by Ninay Desai.

A Stain on the Silence by Andrew Taylor

Stuck in the no-man's land between being plot-driven and character-driven, this isn't Taylor's best work by far.

Book Reviews

Dec 6, 20242 min read

An image of a man carrying a laptop and notebook in his hand. The text 'what they don't teach in school' is super-imposed on the pale yellow background beside him. The image relates to workplace tips one doesn't learn in school.

Workplace Tips: What they don't teach in school

How to enjoy your work while not allowing its rough and tumble to take over your entire life.

Blogs

Nov 15, 20247 min read

On a glass coffee table next to a tea light lies a copy of Paula Hawkins' psychological thriller A Slow Fire Burning. On it, is perched a pair of glasses. Photo by Ninay Desai.

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

A slow burn murder mystery brimming with a host of unlikeable characters with reasons to kill.

Book Reviews

Oct 25, 20243 min read

Mr Ratan Tata leans against a car parked under a tree. Photo: Ratan Tata's Instagram

Why Ratan Tata's passing feels like a Personal Loss

Bidding adieu to India's jewel and why it made me tear up.

Blogs

Oct 11, 20244 min read

A copy of Elif Shafak's novel, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World sits near a takeaway frappe on a wooden table. In the background is a bookshelf, customers and baristas of a coffee shop. Photo: Ninay Desai

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

Breaks your heart, then mends it in the glorious tradition of bitter-sweet stories.

Book Reviews

Sep 27, 20243 min read

Little Legacies

How do quirks get etched into our personalities? Do we carry some of them as souvenirs from the people we've known?

Blogs

Sep 13, 20243 min read

On a pale yellow and cream checkered tablecloth lies a copy of Kim Edwards’ The Lake of Dreams propped up on another book next to a small flowering plant and a greyish-blue and off-white throw. Photo by Ninay Desai

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

The discovery of a packet of letters sets Lucy on a trail to unravel the mystery surrounding the life of an unacknowledged female ancestor.

Book Reviews

Aug 30, 20243 min read

Books stacked in a shelf in a fashion that allows for the creation of a circular peep-hole.

The Book Business: Will the medium dictate the message?

E-readers and audiobooks have changed how we read. Now they may end up changing what we read.

Blogs

Aug 2, 20245 min read

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