Book Review: Franz Kafka at his most vulnerable

 Franz Kafka at his most vulnerable 

Everything I felt while reading Letters to Milena

Franz Kafka is such a huge name in the literary world today that it feels almost unreal to believe he died thinking his work would never amount to anything. So convinced was he of his insignificance that he asked his best friend, Max Brod, to burn all of his work after his death. However, Brod did not honour Kafka’s request and instead chose to publish his writings.

In these letters, you get to read Kafka like you may have never read before. Kafka’s longing and yearning for Milena are laid bare in his letters. The few letters Milena wrote to Max Brod, which are included in the book, are equally compelling—they reveal her sorrow and the cruel play of fate with striking clarity.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Letters to Milena— including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

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Book Review: This Book Made Me a Fan of Emily Henry — End of Story

 This Book Made Me a Fan of Emily Henry — End of Story

Screaming, crying, laughing, healing: my full review of Happy Place.

OH. MY. GOD. I loved this — Emily Henry, what did you put in this book?? I have read only one other Emily Henry book which is — Funny Story, and I liked that book but — I loved this book!

Everything, and I mean everything, was perfect about this book — the characters, the relationships, the friendships, the character development, the dialogues, the writing. Oh my god — the writing!

This book definitely made me a fan of Emily Henry. I fell in love with her writing in this book along with the characters.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Happy Place— including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

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Book Review: Meeting Morrie Through Pages

 Meeting Morrie Through Pages

A deeply personal reflection on “Tuesdays With Morrie”

This book is such a revelation, truly. Throughout the book, it felt like losing a best friend. As if just like Mitch, I was losing somebody close to me too. Morrie was such an inspiration — his strength, his grit, his thoughts — everything is just so unique. I can’t believe I was crying over an old man who died long before I was even born; however, there I was, crying my eyes out over this book.

It’s so hard to believe that there was somebody in reality who had thoughts like this in this world. That Morrie was not a fictional character but somebody real — somebody who had walked this earth, just like us. I could never imagine how God can make people like Morrie and then also create people who are the exact opposite of him in this world.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Tuesdays with Morrie— including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Book Review: Babel by R.F.Kuang left me shaken (in the best way possible)

 Babel by R.F.Kuang left me shaken (in the best way possible)

A brutal, brilliant story of language, empire, and the friendships caught in between.

I just want to start this review by saying: this book made me feel everything. Sadness, anger, joy, frustration- you name it. Babel is heavy in every sense of the word- both in size and in the emotions it stirs up.

I’ll admit: I was intimidated before picking this up. Not just because of the book’s sheer thickness, but also because I’d heard R.F. Kuang’s writing can be very literary and demanding. I worried it might feel too academic or even boring. But wow- I couldn’t have been more wrong. This turned out to be one of the most compelling books I’ve ever read.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Babel— including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Critical Analysis: A Critical Study of Obsessive Passion in Wuthering Heights

A Critical Study of Obsessive Passion in Wuthering Heights

Brontë's Gothic Love Story That Was Never Really About Love

The main argument of this essay is that Catherine and Heathcliff’s love is not a conventional romantic ideal but an obsessive, self-destructive force. Through analyzing their relationship, the essay will highlight not only the darker aspects of love but also the rigid societal norms of the Victorian era that contributed to their suffering. Their destructive love story exposes deeper tensions related to class, gender, and emotional repression, ultimately impacting not only their own lives but also those of their families and future generations.

This essay will first explore the nature of Catherine and Heathcliff’s love before examining how it transforms into obsession and possession. It will then analyze the consequences of their obsessive love and the ways in which Brontë uses symbolism to depict love and destruction throughout the novel.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Wuthering Heights — including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Book Review: Did I Outgrow the Powerless Trilogy? A "Fearless" Review

 Did I Outgrow the Powerless Trilogy? A "Fearless" Review

When a series you love falls flat, is it the book... or is it you?

I went into this series completely in love with Lauren Roberts. The first book, Powerless, hooked me with Lauren Roberts' writing style and each of the characters. Kai and Paedyn's story felt so fresh and exciting.

But now that we've reached the end of the trilogy with Fearless, I have to admit that my feelings have changed. While I still have a soft spot for Lauren, her writing style just doesn't connect with me the way it used to. 

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Fearless — including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Personal Essay: A Love Letter to Our Parents

 A Love Letter to Our Parents

A Heartfelt Reflection on Imperfect Love and Unconditional Gratitude

To Whomever it may concern,

It truly breaks my heart to see the lack of respect some children show their parents. I just wish everyone could treat their parents with the love and sincerity they deserve. Of course, I'm not talking about parents who genuinely don't deserve that title. But for those who pour their hearts into providing for their kids, day in and day out, and still offer infinite love even when their children say things that would shatter anyone's heart – those are the parents I wish we'd cherish.

I know I don't always treat my parents as well as I could, even though I have the utmost respect and love for them. Everything I am, and everything I hope to be, is because of them. My biggest struggle is the anger I sometimes carry, and I know that's on me.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on this subject — including a deeper look at the themes, and why this thought stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Critical Analysis: Prince Myshkin & Nastasya Filippovna Character Analysis: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Prince Myshkin & Nastasya Filippovna Character Analysis: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

How Dostoevsky's "The Idiot" Expose Society's Cruelty and Double Standards

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a thought-provoking novel that explores the judgments society casts upon individuals - whether by feeling threatened by the kindness of an innocent man or condemning a woman as "mad" instead of offering her compassion for a life shaped by suffering. At the center of the novel is Prince Myshkin, a man whose innocence and kindness unsettle those around him, leading them to mock him as an "idiot" behind his back. His character stands in stark contrast to the greed and selfishness of the world around him. Paralleling his fate is Nastasya Filippovna, a woman consumed by anger and revenge against the very society that wronged her. A Christ-like man who is too kind and selfless for the otherwise world and a woman who is wronged by society and when she rebels she is named a “mad woman”- both of those characters are too much relevant even in today’s world. Through Myshkin and Nastasya, Dostoevsky exposes how society isolates those who refuse to "fit in."

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on this subject — including a deeper look at the themes, and why this thought stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Personal Essay: The Art of Feeling Completely Worthless

The Art of Feeling Completely Worthless

Navigating the Unseen Burdens of Self-Worth and Expectation

To whomever it may concern,

They say failure is just part of life. And isn't it ironic? Because those very same people would probably rip it out of their own lives if they could. They say it, I think, just to make themselves feel a little less awful. So they don't have to face that gut-wrenching, entirely worthless feeling.

Sometimes, something just happens. And it leaves you feeling so utterly worthless. It's the thing that keeps you awake at night, your mind spinning, replaying everything, wondering how you could have just been better? You just wish you could be.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on this subject — including a deeper look at the themes, and why this thought stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Personal Essay: All Marriages Are Doomed to Failure

All Marriages Are Doomed to Failure.

Why I think marriage is just a slow, painful scam. 

To whomsoever it may concern,

Do you really want to get married?

Since we’re kids, everyone keeps telling us, “One day when you grow up, you’ll get married, blah blah blah.” But does anyone ever stop to actually think about it? Maybe you just don’t want to get married. And why not? Well, because—obviously—all marriages are doomed to fail.

And no, it’s not a matter of perception. Some people get out of their marriage through divorce. Some people stay in it until they die—showing the world how happy they are, while secretly thinking that if killing each other were legal, they'd have done it ages ago.

Trust me when I say: I want to believe people can stay happy in a marriage. It’s just hard to believe when you’ve never actually seen it happen.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on this subject — including a deeper look at the themes, and why this thought stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Personal Essay: Where is God & Where you can find him?

 To whomever it may concern,

Anything related to God is a heavy yet fascinating topic, not just for me but for many others. Growing up in a religious household—much like almost every other household in India—you witness people going to sacred places in search of God, praying to every deity they can find, some even praying for personal gain. It makes you wonder: how can these people believe so strongly in something they have never seen? What drives their faith? What do they hope to gain from it? Peace? But is peace truly attainable in this life?

Is it wealth? How can one expect to gain money without putting in the effort to work? Is it success in exams? Can someone pass an exam without studying? Is it marriage? If a person struggles to find a good partner, is it impossible to live alone? And if not, why not explore marriage websites instead of seeking divine intervention at a temple?

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on this subject — including a deeper look at the themes, and why this thought stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay