Neelakshi Singh, Author at Booked4Books

21 Sep

From Classics to Marvel: Can We Appreciate the Art Despite the Artist?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesFrom Classics to Marvel

Let's say, You’re halfway through a novel, completely gone, when suddenly you come across a headline announcing that the author has been caught in a major controversy. You pause, book in hand, and think: "Can I still enjoy this book knowing what I know now?" It’s a modern dilemma, isn’t it? Literature and controversy seem to walk hand in hand these days, and with every new revelation, we’re asked to re-evaluate how we engage with art. Now, if you’re someone who likes to dip in a little Stoicism—a philosophy centered around self-improvement, emotional control, and clear-headed thinking—you might already have…

18 Sep

Twisted Thursday: Your Thrillers Fix

Neelakshi SinghArticlesTwisted Thursday

If there's one thing I love more than a cozy night of reading, it’s a book that keeps me guessing until my brain feels like an active psych ward. You know the ones—those psychological thrillers that mess with your head, flip your expectations upside down, and leave you staring at the last page, wondering what just happened. These are the books that make you question everything, including your ability to tell on even the most obvious plot twists. Trust me, I’ve fallen for every single one of these—and absolutely loved every minute of it. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:…

13 Sep

Typing in the Time of Outrage: Does Cancel Culture Hinder Creativity

Neelakshi SinghArticlesCulture Hinder Creativity

Ah, cancel culture. The modern audience haunting the dreams of writers everywhere. Once upon a time, an author's greatest concern was whether their book would make it onto the bestseller list or if a few grumpy critics would put them in the book review section. Now, however, there’s a new, infinitely more terrifying question keeping writers up at night: “Will I get canceled?” And if so, “Will I get canceled before or after I finish my next novel?” Cancel culture—this phenomenon where an individual is publicly shamed and ostracized for offensive or controversial opinions, behaviors, or works—seems to have set…

31 Aug

Is It Possible to Write a Truly Non-Cliché Romance Novel?

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Romance novels—beloved by some, mocked by others, and often the go-to comfort read for a rainy day. They’re packed with swoon-worthy moments, heart-fluttering confessions, and just the right amount of drama to keep you turning the pages. But here’s a question that haunts both readers and writers alike: Is it possible to write a romance novel that’s completely non-cliché? Can you craft a love story that side steps every predictable pitfall and still makes readers swoon? Well, let’s pour ourselves a glass of wine (or a cup of tea, if that’s your thing) and dive into this eternal conundrum. Fair…

28 Aug

The Challenge of Genre-Mixing: Crafting Stories That Stick

Neelakshi SinghArticlesCrafting Stories

Genre-mixing in fiction is like trying to cook a fusion dish: when done well, it can create something innovative and delightful. But when done poorly, it’s just a confusing mess that leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. There’s a reason why many readers and viewers tend to react badly to genre-mixing—it’s tricky to pull off effectively, and when it goes wrong, it often comes across as cheesy, low-brow, or simply not believable. However, when executed with care, genre-mixing can lead to some of the most memorable and impactful stories in fiction. One of the main reasons genre-mixing can feel…

23 Aug

Love’s Labours Lost? Gender Dynamics in Modern Romance and Erotic Fiction

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Love and sex have been the bread and butter of literature since the days when ancient storytellers first realized they could spice up their tales by adding a little romance. These two elemental forces drive plots, fuel character motivations, and sometimes cause heroes to lose their minds (and pants) in spectacularly dramatic fashion. But beneath the swoon-worthy declarations and steamy encounters lies a more complex dance—one that reveals and, in many cases, shapes our understanding of gender dynamics. In the Middle Ages, when love was as much about duty as it was about passion. Enter the world of courtly love,…

20 Aug

Evil Around the World: Villains, Tricksters, and the Art of Being Bad

Neelakshi SinghArticlesEvil Around the World

Evil, as a concept, is like that universal ingredient—everyone's got it, but they all sprinkle it on a little differently. If you take a tour around the globe, you'll find that each culture has its own unique recipe for evil in fiction. Let’s start in the West, where evil is often portrayed as the stuff of big-budget action movies. Western villains are the equivalent of a loud guest who crashes the party with a megaphone and a plan for world domination. These baddies are all about power, control, and causing as much chaos as possible, preferably while cackling maniacally. Take…

13 Aug

Page-Turners or Puppeteers? The Power of Fiction to Manipulate

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Imagine this: You’re curled up on a couch, sipping your favorite tea, lost in the pages of a thrilling novel. The protagonist is just about to save the world (again) when a thought creeps into your mind: "Wait a minute... Am I being manipulated?" Before you toss that book across the room in a fit of paranoid confusion, let’s have a little chat about whether fiction can really be a form of social control or manipulation. Spoiler alert: the answer is yes, but don’t worry, it’s not as sinister as it sounds. Well, not always. Let’s start with the basics.…

12 Aug

Fictional Reality: Through the World of Make-Believe

Neelakshi SinghArticles

In the grand universe of human imagination, there's a peculiar thread blended in with absurdity—a concept so otherworldly it might leave you scratching your head: Fictional Reality. It’s a strange, upside-down world where unicorns may actually pay taxes, aliens run for president, and your cat moonlights as a superhero in a parallel universe. Fictional reality is that curious space where fiction becomes so immersive, detailed, and believable that it feels almost as real as, well, reality. But why would anyone want to escape into a world that is not real? Isn't the everyday chaos of forgetting where you left your…

10 Aug

Evening at Kunzum Books – The Launch of The Goa Gambit

Neelakshi SinghInterviewKunzum Books, The Goa Gambit

Yesterday evening, Kunzum Books played host to an extraordinary literary event that was as thrilling as the book being celebrated. As the rain cascaded outside, a crowd of book lovers gathered within the cozy confines of the bookstore, ready to dive into the world of Mr. Anurag Tripathi's latest novel, *The Goa Gambit*. The setting was intimate, the atmosphere was electric, and the conversation was anything but ordinary. The Goa Gambit is set against the dazzling yet dangerous backdrop of Goa’s casino world, a place where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. At the heart…