Books were my first friends ever. They have been a true soulmate for me, having healed my soul in more ways than one. There are times when I am still transported back to the old days, when I was a rather shy, timid girl. Picture a seven-year-old girl who cannot so much as say hi Read more…

I was surprised to run into a familiar face at the café I used to frequent. And before I knew it, I had butterflies. It was, after all, my school-time crush. I still remembered him as a complete bookworm. On the other hand, I… well, I was just the opposite. It took a wave of Read more…

When I think of my love for printed treasures, I am instantly taken back to the time when my mother would sit me down with a glass of hot Bournvita milk on a cool rainy afternoon and hand me a storybook. She would sit beside me with a book of her own. The feeling, the Read more…

I had never been the quiet kid around. I went out, played, and got into fights and a lot of trouble. In short, I had a great childhood – maybe even a memorable one. I watched a lot of TV. The absurd soaps and movies I watched meant that I always craved for drama in my Read more…

Books play a major role in our lives. Some people realize this at an early age, whereas others – like me – do it later. I feel that books can be a great source of both joy and motivation. They sharpen the brain, bring down stress levels, and even alleviate depression or negativity. As a Read more…

As a tenth grader, studying was the one thing I hated the most. If I am allowed to be more specific here, I am talking about reading books. Almost every other person in my life seemed to suggest me to read novels and non-fiction books for the sake of “entertainment”. For someone who just about Read more…

Back in tenth grade, the one thing I absolutely abhorred was reading. In fact, I even wondered how reading could be regarded as a real hobby. My dad, who happened to be a bibliophile, would often argue with me that books could boost my analytical skills. However, more often than not, his words would fall Read more…

Synopsis: This Mournable Body is a psychologically charged novel about a young girl and a fledgling nation. The novel transports readers to a place devoid of any hope or optimism. The author, Tsitsi Dangarembga, brings us face-to-face with Tambudzai, who is leading a melancholic life in a youth hostel in downtown Harare, the capital of Read more…

There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place. Joanne Kathleen Rowling, aka J. K. Rowling, the household name among fantasy writers, has exemplified her dictum by constantly transporting the readers to a realm of illusion, imagination, fancy and fiction. Growing up, I too have heard umpteen stories that fashioned the Read more…

“Mom, come on! We’re getting late, let’s go!” screamed a seven-year-old me at the top of her lungs, eager to get to her painting class. My younger brother stood beside me, surprisingly patient. Both of us were waiting for our mother to come downstairs. “I’m coming guys, hold on a minute. You know it’s not Read more…