Manjari Gupta

When most Americans think of South Asia, images of elephants, snake charmers, and the dismal poverty is shown in Slumdog Millionaire come to mind; for the most part, South Asian novels are classified as "serious fiction" with substantial social or political commentary or as a minor sidekick to Southeast Asian literature. (This is odd because, unlike much Southeast Asian literature, most modern South Asian writers are more accessible in specific ways because they write in English.) However, these books, written by South Asian and South Asian diaspora writers, avoid stereotypes. Here are a few exciting reads written by south-Asian writers…

The very first time I was acquainted with the concept of reading was when I was only eight years old when my grandfather gifted me a copy of Alice in Wonderland. I remember reading it twice as that was the only book I had in my hands. After that, the reading journey escalated rapidly from sneaking to my grandpa's study to spending endless hours in the library. In the present times, the love of reading has escalated far enough to seep through the branches of technology. Readers have discovered new ways to read and live a more content life with…

Have you ever realized how your stress fades away while reading a book? It feels like you are left all alone in this world with your books accompanying your side on your lonely journey. Even with all the gushing emotions, you feel encouraged to pick up another book. Call it obsession!? Nah…LOVE. Call it LOVE for books. That being said, how much is too much reading? or how much love is too much? For many of us, the journey of becoming an ardent reader is from ‘reading whatever interests you’ to ‘reading as a coping mechanism.’ Let us take you…

Every reader goes through a phase of malnutrition of stories and words. It never seems to be enough, no matter how much time people take out of their hectic schedules to read. Reduce their screen time or set aside an hour each day for reading. There is always a stumbling block. The biggest enemy of avid readers has always been time. As a result, when the literary world's word curators learned of the reader's upheaval, they developed short books. The books were not thick, but they included the same core shaking and inspiring stories.  Here is a list of ten…

Have you ever gotten a fascinating story idea for a novel you've been trying to write for a long time while watching a movie late at night?. Have you ever been struck by a potential character arch for your novel as you come across a meme on social media? Did you experience a moment of epiphany about your novel while sipping your favorite latte? If that's the case, you'll enjoy this blog because you're doing everything but writing! Hello fellow writers, Instead of discussing how to write a book, we will concentrate on how not to write one in this…

Welcome to the 'SOS! I-suck-at-adulting-club,' if the word adulting in the title prompted you to click on the link, let me tell you a fact. You already know that ‘adulting is not easy.’ No matter how well prepared you are, adulthood is always hard. I am as confused as you are but I believe that I am wise enough to learn from the mistakes of others.  That’s what helped me draw on the wisdom of others. Now, you cannot reach out to every single adult to ask their two cents on adulting, can you? That is when books come to…

You are here probably because you are trying hard to figure out a way to finish those half-written narratives, regain your lost confidence as a writer, or you couldn’t ideate at all as you used to earlier. Have you ever wanted to skip to your favourite part of writing, which is writing without a break? As writers, most of us desire to achieve this state of sanity, in which we often fail. Well, that is writer’s block, my friends. A lot of you (us) deal with it once in a while or more frequently. But little do you (even I,…

Have you ever read a book so fast so that you can move to another one but don’t want the current one to end? Does that sound like an adrenaline rush of unexplainable feelings? Which author made you experience it though? Not sure about you but this particular reader community resonates with us. I honestly think Colleen Hoover’s books must come with a box of tissues to wipe your tears, while her deeply painful and piteous characters take you through an emotional roller coaster ride. Also, don’t forget to hoard loads of coffee sachets to keep your motor running as…