WinterMoon

“Sometimes, you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you finally set it down.” I’ve read this book many times. It’s quicker to read a book you’ve already read because you know what’s going to happen. But even then, the emotions still hit the same way. I first read it back in 2017, and since then, it’s been one of my go-to books—a feel-good story I keep coming back to. The book is a light and engaging romance by Indian author Preeti Shenoy. It follows Aniket, a techie stuck in a not-so-great relationship with Trish, and Nidhi, a woman who’s left her corporate job to follow her passion for writing and pottery. Their lives cross paths in unexpected ways, and slowly, they help each other grow. The story shows how fate, choices, and a little help from the stars can change everything. Preeti Shenoy writes in a simple and relatable way. Her characters feel real, and the situations are easy to connect with. The book talks about self-discovery, unhealthy relationship...

“You will question my actions. But then, that is the nature of stories, isn’t it? The truth often lies beneath layers of what we call the truth.” The Palace of Illusions is a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, told from the point of view of Draupadi—a strong and complex queen who usually stays in the background of the original story. In this book, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives Draupadi a voice and lets us see her thoughts, feelings, and struggles. The story follows Draupadi from her magical birth from fire, to her marriage to the five Pandava brothers, and through the big war that changed everything. What makes this book special is how it shows Draupadi not just as a character from mythology, but as a real woman—curious, intelligent, emotional, and strong. What I liked most was how unexpected it was. The author begins with the idea that Draupadi should have chosen Karna—a bold twist that gives the story a fresh angle. Their imagined connection brings emotional depth and adds ...