ALL POSTS

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

A copy of Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand lies on a dark slatted coffee table with a tall glass of iced coffee. In the background are the streaky reflections of the cafe's indoor lights. Photo by Ninay Desai

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

A heart-warming golden romance drizzled with a sauce of social satire.

Book Reviews

Jul 19, 20243 min read

Celebrity cook and author of many a cookbook, Nigella Lawson cooks in an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. Photo: Nigella Lawson's Instagram

Comfort TV shows that help me Unwind

A long day calls for some couch therapy! This is my list of what never fails to soothe.

Blogs

Jun 28, 20243 min read

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Follows in the footsteps of Eat, Pray, Love without the well-defined goals!

Book Reviews

Jun 7, 20243 min read

A man handing over cash to a woman in a food truck. Both are smiling.

The Cost of Money: Cash or Card?

Your mode of payment - apps, cash or card - affects how much you spend and even how you perceive frivolous expenditure.

Blogs

May 10, 20244 min read

A copy of Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age is lies in the grass. A straw hat with a broad multi-coloured ribbon is tossed close to the book. Next to it lies a small bottle with an orange drink. Photo by Ninay Desai.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Fresh and pacy on the outside, thought-provoking and wise on the inside. This is a coming of age story with a difference.

Book Reviews

Apr 26, 20243 min read

Against a pitch black backdrop stands a man in a dark hoodie, half in shadow. He holds up a white mask which covers half his face concentrating the focus on the piercing expression in his eyes. In the context of this post, he signifies how it feels to suffer from imposter syndrome. Photo by Sander Sammy.

Rising above Imposter Syndrome

Do you worry about whether people think you're a fraud? Or feel like you don't deserve to be where you are? Well, you're not alone.

Blogs

Apr 12, 20244 min read

Dollars and Sense by Dan Ariely and Jeff Kreisler

A humourous take on how we think about money matters and why it matters.

Book Reviews

Apr 5, 20244 min read

A man stands atop a jutting pile of rocks on a cliff, overlooking a large body of water. A galaxy of stars glitters in the night sky. This image is being used to symbolise the Universe's role in our experience of synchronicity. Image by Evgeni Tcherkassi.

Seeking Synchronicity

Einstein called coincidence 'God's way of remaining anonymous'. Which is why a random happenstance can sometimes, be far from random.

Blogs

Mar 22, 20245 min read

The Scent of Death by Andrew Taylor

A slow-burning historical crime novel set during the American Revolution that will have you turning pages late into the night.

Book Reviews

Mar 8, 20244 min read

A single palm leaf in a small glass of water against a greyish-white background. On the table, next to the glass lie six scrabble tiles spelling out the word simple.

The Allure of Simplicity

Is simple just another word for basic or does it hold deeper secrets?

Blogs

Feb 23, 20243 min read

On a baby blue chunky knitted blanket lie an open book, three pears and a cup of tea.

Book Recommendations to Overcome a Reading Slump

Want to read more but your current book is a snoozefest? Find your next read here.

Book Reviews

Feb 9, 20244 min read

A woman sits alone at a table in a dimly lit cafe. A coffee cup is placed in front of her as she indulges in people-watching.

One Coffee, Please. And a Portion of People-Watching

Do try this in public and report back!

Blogs

Feb 2, 20243 min read

A platter of cheesy garlic bread on a table with a mosaic tabletop. Beside the platter lies a copy of Sally Rooney's novel Beautiful World, Where are you and a cafe frappe. Photo by Ninay Desai.

Beautiful World, Where are you by Sally Rooney

Lyrical and seasoned with intellectual and philosophical ideas but sorely lacking in genuine conflict.

Book Reviews

Jan 19, 20246 min read

A bespectacled garden gnome seated on a wooden railing looks into the distance. A quote by Bob Goff is printed on the out-of-focus backdrop. It says, "It's whimsy that spreads hope like grass seed in the wind."

The Charm of Whimsy

The whimsical adds sparkle to everyday life. From literature clocks to quirky fashion choices, embrace the enchantment of whimsy.

Blogs

Jan 5, 20243 min read

The Best Books I Read this Year

I've had a tough time picking my favourites from the year gone by. I hope you find your favourite in the list.

Book Reviews

Dec 22, 20233 min read

An illustration of two human heads talking about the ideas in their brains. Signifies the idea of brainstorming and the importance of collaboration.

The Collaboration Credo

Working with others can spark innovation, creativity and lead to groundbreaking achievements. It can be fun too!

Blogs

Dec 8, 20234 min read

13 4

Like what you read?

First Name

Enter your email address here

Thanks for taming the fox!