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The London Underground, popularly known as the Tube, is an utterly chaotic space, and not only during rush hour. You have to keep moving to reach your platform because everyone is in a hurry. Stopping to check the map or switching directions because you forgot which way you were supposed to go will earn you glares, headshakes, and murmurs. There’s a sense of urgency as people from students to office-goers use the tube as their primary mode of transport. The daily ridership is approximately 1.8 million. In Clare Pooley’s ‘The People on Platform 5’ we meet a wide range of characters who commute on a train from the Hampton Court area into London. There’s an old lady—Iona—who works for a magazine. She’s a lesbian who is extremely fond of her partner, Bea, and her pooch, Lulu, who travels everywhere with her. But lately, she has been worried that she’s about to lose her job. Then there’s Sanjay, a nurse who works in the oncology department. He is smitten by Emmie, another commuter on the train, but he is too shy to approach her. Piers is the hotshot banker with the ‘perfect’ life. He was once called ‘Midas’ at work because he was great at what he did. Now, he’s not sure this is the life he wants for himself. Martha, a teenager, has had a scandal and is being bullied at school. There are a few other interesting characters as well. Their lives collide when one of them almost chokes on his meal and needs medical help on the train. That incident somehow gets them talking to one another. As they get to know one another, they discover how their biases clouded their opinions and in the process are able to face their own demons as well (with, of course, a little help from their new friends). Though Iona is the protagonist who brings them all together, every character has been given his/her own sub-plot. And because there are so many of them, there’s a lot happening in the book. My problem with the book, however, is that it felt forced. The characters and their stories aren’t well developed and I couldn’t relate to any of them. This is despite the fact that the issues they deal with are real and important, from bullying and ageism in the workforce to mid-life crises and grief. What could have been a poignant story is all over the place because Pooley has taken on too much without being able to do justice to any of it. Three stars Fiction The People on Platform 5 Clare Pooley Published: 2022 Publisher: Bantam Press Pages: 400, Paperback

I hadn’t read anything by Claire Douglas which is why I picked up her latest bestseller, ‘The Girls Who Disappeared’ when I saw it at the Crosswords Bookstore at a mall in India recently. I’m a sucker for new authors I haven’t read. I always think I’m in for a delight. I’m usually disappointed though. But I never really learn. I have mixed feelings about this thriller novel. I won’t call it good but I won’t call it bad either. You can read it if you want a suspense story that distracts you for a little while. Twenty years ago, three young friends vanished from the scene of an accident. The driver, Olivia, was badly injured and found on the scene. Now, journalist Jenna Halliday arrives in town to cover the anniversary of the surprising and horrifying event. She quickly discovers there’s more to the accident than what meets the eye. There are some people who know more than they let on and they will do anything to hide their secrets. Narrated in two timelines, The Girls Who Disappeared builds on a sense of unease but the element of mystery isn’t very gripping. With few possibilities, you can pretty much guess what might have happened so there’s not much surprise there. But what Douglas has gotten right is the atmosphere of the place. It’s creepy and something gets under your skin. You just can’t shake off the feeling. If I’d take away a star for the cliché narrative, I’d give one back for the spooky setting. Jenna is an interesting character, with her own biases and set ways. She’s stupid. She’s courageous. She acts without thinking. She thinks too much. She is you. She is me. I enjoyed getting to know her. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, you too will find yourself rooting for Jenna. She felt very real and I was as invested in her personal life as I was in finding out what actually happened to Olivia’s friends. There’s definitely a certain charm to the book but you have to be prepared for the run-of-the-mill storyline. About the author Claire Douglas knew she wanted to be a writer since she was a child. She studied journalism and then worked in the media for a while before moving on to write suspense and thriller novels. Her first book, The Sisters, won the Marie Claire Debut Novel Award in 2013. The Girls Who Disappeared instantly became a Sunday Times Bestseller. Douglas has been published in 15 countries. She lives in Bath, England, with her husband, children, and two cats. Three stars Fiction The Girls Who Disappeared Claire Douglas Published: 2022 Publisher: Penguin Random House UK Pages: 393, Paperback

‘The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow’ by Laura Taylor Namey is a really simple, heartwarming story. It’s the book you should read when you don’t feel like reading anything. It will help you get over a reading slump that this weird weather seems to be great at inducing in even the most voracious readers I know. It’s a light read so you can dip in and out—read a couple of pages and come back to it whenever you want. After losing her grandmother, her best friend, and being dumped by her boyfriend in just a couple of months, Lila’s mental health is in shambles and she’s unable to cope. Her family is worried about her and they decide to send her to England for the summer—to live with some family friends at a small inn in Winchester. They hope a change of scene will heal her aching heart. But Lila’s a Miami girl through and through. She hates having to leave the city she grew up in and she is sure she will be miserable in England. But life has other plans. First, she meets Orion. Not only does he teach her a thing or two about tea, the most consumed beverage in England, but he also becomes her tour guide of sorts and takes her around the city. Surprisingly, she finds he eases her heartbreak a little—something that once felt impossible. Then, there are all these unexpected friends she makes. She also becomes interested in studying the culinary arts at one of the most prestigious schools in England, just an hour’s drive from Winchester. Will Lila give up the life she knew for something different? Or will England just be what it was supposed to be in the first place? A short distraction. ‘The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow’ is a cute love story. But it’s also a story about finding yourself, in places you least expect to, and about how friends can be your anchor when you need it the most. It reminds you that nothing is permanent, least of all pain and that you can actually ‘grow through what you go through’. The setting is soothing and Namey’s writing brings the town right before your eyes. You feel like you are there, in the middle of it all. Apart from all the romance and life lessons, there are also a lot of mentions of food. So, fair warning, don’t read this one on an empty stomach or even when you feel like you could do with something to nibble on. It really made me want to grab a croissant or a cupcake so many times. All the talk of baking and Lila’s love for it will make your mouth water. Three and a half stars Fiction The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow Laura Taylor Namey Published: 2020 Publisher: Atheneum Books Pages: 320, Paperback

‘Wahala’ by Nikki May caught my eye because the cover looked fun. The blurb and the recommendations at the back also made it sound good. But I should have known better than to judge a book by its cover. It wasn’t a bad book. But it wasn’t very good either. It didn’t leave me with the happy feeling that good books generally do, even if it’s a thriller or a traumatic memoir. In Nigerian culture, Wahala means trouble. Would it be too mean to say the book lives up to its name? But there I’ve said it. With too many POVs, the story feels chaotic and confusing. The characters aren’t fleshed out enough for the readers to truly care for them or their troubles. The issues feel superficial and forced. The premise was promising. I feel May couldn’t do justice to it. Ronke, Boo, and Simi have been friends for over a decade. They are British women of ‘mixed race’—with white English mothers and Nigerian fathers. At university, which is where they met, they bonded over the common identity and the baggage they carry because of it. These ambitious women are like family to one another but they have to work hard to keep it that way with too many issues in their own individual lives. When Isobel, Simi’s childhood friend, enters their lives, the already precarious situation is completely disturbed. Isobel is charming and fun. But she is also manipulative. She is rich and flashy and used to getting her way. The three friends have some secrets, ones they haven’t shared among themselves. But Isobel is sly enough to convince each of them to bare their hearts out to her. Pretty soon, things start to go wrong and there’s trouble brewing for the three women. There’s gossip, scandals, and a lot of destruction. May’s debut novel deals with many issues like race, class, and sexism. But none of these themes are explored enough to really shed light on them. Many readers might be able to identify with one of the four main characters and their messy lives. At times, as the women go about their days, cooking and visiting salons, you feel like you are in the company of friends you have known for a long time. The feeling, however, is fleeting. At best, Wahala is like a soap opera. It will entertain you but it will also have you rolling your eyes, exasperated by all the unnecessary drama. Two and half stars Fiction Wahala Nikki May Published: 2022 Publisher: Custom House Pages: 384, Paperback

You can breeze through a single volume or two of ‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman in a day. There are four volumes in this graphic novel series that is cute and heartwarming but also discusses some important issues like bullying, abuse, and homophobia. I’m recommending it this week since it might be just the right kind of book to get into during Dashain. It doesn’t require a lot of commitment or time but the story will enthrall you and you won’t be able to get it out of your head. The central characters of Heartstopper, Nick and Charlie, first appeared in Oseman’s debut YA novel, ‘Solitaire’. Charlie is the younger brother of the narrator, Tori, and Nick is his doting boyfriend. Though they were side characters in the book, Oseman apparently was very interested in telling their stories. And that’s how the idea for the graphic novel came about. Heartstopper began as a web comic and much of it is largely available online too. People have been drawn to the series because of its great LGBTIQA+ representation, the romance and the art as well. The art, however, is considerably better from the second book onwards. In Heartstopper (Volume One) we are introduced to Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. We see them meet at a British all-boys grammar school and fall in love in what is a beautiful coming of age novel. Charlie is an overthinker and high-strung. Nick is cheerful and soft-hearted. The two make a great pair as they balance each other out. Friendship between them is instantaneous and it’s wonderful to watch them discover each other and themselves in the process. I picked up this volume because I wanted to watch the Netflix show. All the BookTubers I follow have been raving about both the books and the show for so long now. And for good reason. Heartstopper deals with same-sex relationships in teenagers with a lot of sensitivity and positivity. It also talks about mental health issues in a way that doesn’t invalidate the experience of those suffering from anxiety or depression. Oseman focuses on the importance of seeking support and that makes the story an uplifting read. I have to admit that Heartstopper might seem a little childish for those who are well in their thirties like me. But it’s an essential representation of queer relationships. I wish I had books like these while growing up. I’m so jealous of youngsters today who have such good stories to help them make sense of the world and what they might not necessarily understand. Three and half stars Fiction/Graphic novel Heartstopper Alice Oseman Published: 2018 Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books Pages: 263, Paperback https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40495957-heartstopper

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of my absolute favorite authors. I’ve read many of her books like ‘The Mistress of Spices’, ‘Sister of my Heart’, ‘Palace of Illusions’, ‘Oleander Girl’ and ‘One Amazing Thing’ among others. I’ve loved them all. I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Her short story collection, ‘Arranged Marriage’, is easily one of the best books I’ve read till date. Her works are set in India and the United States and are mostly stories of South Asian immigrants. She writes across genres—realistic fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, and fantasy. And she does it all with equal flair. Her latest book, ‘The Last Queen’ is a well-researched retelling of Punjab’s history before the British invasion as well as the story of Rani Jindan Kaur, the youngest wife of the first maharaja of the Sikh Empire, Ranjit Singh. Historically speaking, Rani Jindan Kaur is lesser known than say Rani Laxmi Bai or Padmavati. But, during her time, she was famous for her beauty, strength and courage. She became the Queen Regent when her son was crowned at the age of five, following the assassinations of three successors before him. She was replaced after Punjab lost the Anglo-Sikh war but her power and influence continued and, infuriated by it, the British imprisoned and exiled her. The Last Queen is part true, part not, and Divakaruni does a wonderful job of telling a gripping story where the lines between fact and fiction are blurred. The story opens at the death bed of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Jindan is watching him from the foot of the bed. The story then goes back in time to tell us how she got there. It was never Jindan’s ambition to become rich and powerful but she got there by following her heart. She fell in love with a man who turned out to be the king of Punjab. The novel is split into four sections: Girl, Bride, Queen, and Rebel. We see Jindan’s grow and transition from a meek daughter of a dog-trainer to a king’s wife and then ultimately a much-feared and loved queen. The novel picks up pace really fast, falters a little in the middle, and then wraps up nice and neat in the end. I love Divakaruni’s writing style. It’s simple but smooth. There are lines I could read over and over again. Her character and setting descriptions help you clearly conjure the scenes in your head. Not all authors are able to get the story, setting and characters right but Divakaruni manages this feat with ease. The result is a poignant story of love and leadership that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the final page. Four stars Fiction The Last Queen Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Published: 2021 Publisher: Harper Collins Pages: 354, Paperback

Animals across the world have been infected by a virus that has made them poisonous. The government has ordered the culling of livestock, emptied the zoos, and made umbrellas compulsory to prevent diseased bird droppings from falling on people. There’s a rise in cannibalism. The poor, low-caste, and immigrants start disappearing. World leaders legalize cannibalism and industries that breed people as animals for meat crop up as a result. The vocal cords of these humans are cut as ‘meat doesn’t talk’. It’s also illegal to call them humans so they are referred to as heads. Their meat is called ‘special meat’. At the Krieg Processing Plant, a place that readies heads for consumption, livestock (humans in this case) is sawed open, and separated into different bunches, like eyes, tongues, entrails etc. The meat is cut into small pieces till it bears no resemblance to a human being—just like we have seen being done to chicken, goats, and other animals. The skin is made into leather. Marcos Tejo, who works at Krieg, has a lot of problems in life. His son died. His wife left him, and his dad’s dementia is worsening. Then a colleague sends him a head as a specimen. It’s against the law to keep a head at home. There are routine checks to ensure they aren’t being used as maids or even ‘sex-slaves’. But Marcos starts training her to be ‘more human’ as he develops feelings for her. He names her Jasmine as she smells like it. This sudden connection with a reared-for-meat human being forces him to confront the way he has been living till now. Then Jasmine gets pregnant and Marcos has to find ways to keep this hidden as it could send them both to the municipal slaughterhouse. It takes a lot for me to be truly horrified by a story. ‘Tender is the Flesh’ by Agustina Bazterrica made me shudder from the first page. I still wince when I think about it. I thought I would breeze through it because it was just a little over 200 pages long. But it took me such a long time to read. I could only read 10 to 15 pages at the most. Even that felt too much, and I usually read 50 to 100 pages in one sitting. Tender is the Flesh, Bazterrica’s second novel, is a disturbing take on what we would do in a world without meat. It also feels like a critique on how capitalism makes us forget our morals, and how humans are capable of the most horrifying deeds, if they think the outcome will be their favor. Three and a half stars Fiction Tender is the Flesh Agustina Bazterrica Translated from the Spanish by Sarah Moses Published: 2020 Publisher: Scribner Pages: 224, Paperback

My best friend just had a baby and the mother in me has come alive. I have been reading children’s books so that I can tell him stories. Besides rereading my childhood books, I also pick up new ones at the bookstore. Some of them are so short and engaging that I read them sitting on the store steps or that one extremely comfy wicker chair. I consider the other slightly longer ones as investments. Baby K will appreciate them. One of the many children’s books I read recently was ‘Coraline’ by Neil Gaiman. It’s a horror book. I won’t be reading this one out loud to Baby K anytime soon but it was such a fun read. I loved it. I had heard good things about it for so long. It definitely lived up to the hype. The illustrations by Chris Riddell for the 20th anniversary edition make the story come alive. A girl named Coraline discovers a locked door that leads to another world, where there is the other-father and the other-mother. They look like her parents, except with black button eyes, but they treat her the way Coraline has always wished her parents did. The other-mother, unlike her real mother, cooks actual meals. The other-father is willing to play with her. Her real father shoos her away from his study. Coraline is promised everything she could ever want, if she returns to stay in this world. But her real parents go missing and Coraline suspects the other-mother is behind it. She goes to live in the other world, to find and rescue her parents. As she investigates, she discovers dark secrets. She realizes that she could also be trapped in this world with no way out. Coraline is a determined young girl and she won’t let fears stop her from finding her way back home. Gaiman has created a fascinating world. There is a cat that talks and ghosts that seem like real people. The story chills and enthralls. But it’s far more than just a horror story. It’s a story about the importance of family and not giving up, even when the odds are stacked against you. The message Gaiman wanted to give was perhaps that courage doesn’t mean being fearless. It’s doing the right thing despite being shit scared. Coraline is a bold and brave girl. She has her whims and fancies but is driven by the need to do what’s right. She creeps into your heart from the first page, with her cute and adult-like behavior, and finds a permanent place there. Three and half stars https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17061.Coraline Fiction Coraline Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Chris Riddell Published: 2002 Publisher: Bloomsbury Pages 180, Paperback