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Have you ever had a chicken dish at a restaurant and wished you could have it every single day? I have a couple of dishes that I wish I could have for lunch or dinner on a regular basis. But it’s neither healthy nor financially feasible to order your favorite meal like that. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could replicate them at home instead? This way you can ensure the food is fresh and the spice/oil quotient is exactly right.

I often turn to YouTube recipes, especially Ranveer Brar’s channel, to make some dishes that isn’t our usual thing. But trying to cook while watching someone instruct is a harrowing experience. I can never keep up and it always takes longer than the stipulated time. And that is one of the reasons why I like cookbooks. They are easier to work with. Over the last few years, I’ve amassed quite a few cookbooks. I recently got Dan Toombs ‘The Curry Guy’ and it’s become my favorite one so far.

It’s a bright pink book filled with spicy chicken recipes. There’s everything from the classic butter chicken to elaborate kebabs and grilled delicacies. As with most cookbooks I have, this one also has full page photos of the dishes accompanying the recipes. Looking at the photos in cookbooks is one of the best parts of owning so many. I must admit that when buying a cookbook, the layout and presentation of the photos is a deciding factor.

The Curry Guy is divided into seven sections. There’s ‘Starters and Snacks’, ‘Karahi Cooking’, ‘Chicken Curry, Stews and Sauce-based Dishes’, ‘Frying and Stir-fries’, ‘Wraps and Sandwiches’, ‘Barbecue’ and ‘Basics, Accompaniments, and Sides’. Each section has interesting tips and recipes that you, until now, have only had at restaurants. Now, with Toombs help you can make them at home. The best part is that the dishes taste absolutely delicious—the recipes have been perfected in Toombs’ kitchen. You will also come to know about many other cooking styles and restaurant style gravies and curries.

You will learn how to make Dragon Chicken, Punjabi Chicken Samosa, Goan-Style Chicken Vindaloo, Szechuan Chicken, Chicken Rogan Josh, Kolkata Chicken Chaap, Chicken Shami Kebabs, and much more. If you follow the recipe to a t, the dish will taste like a restaurant cooked meal. I also loved the language which is quite conversational and gentle. This book of recipes from South and Southeast Asia will be an essential guide that you won’t be able to do without once you have a copy.

The Curry Guy (Chicken)

Dan Toombs

Published: 2024

Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Limited

Pages: 175, Hardcover

I recently read and loved ‘The Library of Borrowed Hearts’ by Lucy Gilmore. I went to the bookstore to buy ‘The Lonely Hearts Book Club’, which was published before The Library of Borrowed Hearts, immediately after finishing it. I had assumed these were Gilmore’s initial works but was surprised to find out that she has a plethora of novels to her credit. Her writing is sharp and easy to read which makes her books such a breeze. But it can get a little repetitive if you happen to read her books back-to-back. I would still recommend both the books, with a slightly more emphasis on ‘The Library of Borrowed Hearts’.

Both the books have similar premises and I think readers will end up liking whichever they choose to read first more than the one they read next. For me, ‘The Lonely Hearts Book Club’ felt a little off as I had already read something similar by Gilmore. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. I actually loved the story and the characters, albeit some issues, are nice. We meet Sloane Parker who is a librarian in a small town. She strikes up an unusual friendship with Arthur McLachlan through insults and easy banter. Then one day, he doesn’t show up at the library and Sloane gets worried. She tracks him down, finds out that he had been unwell, and makes it her mission to bring some cheer into his lonely life.

She creates an impromptu book club, much to Arthur’s chagrin. Slowly, people start coming together as they find ways to connect with one another through stories they can relate to or those that give them a sense of peace or closure. Gilmore presents the story from different character’s perspectives, giving you insights that you otherwise wouldn’t have had. It makes for a wholesome and contemplative read.

What I had a problem with was that all the characters lacked spine. They wouldn’t stand up for themselves for the simplest of things and that was annoying. Sloane’s fiancé isn’t unkind but he is constantly putting her down in small ways and she just brushes them off. She finds excuses for his family’s (especially his mother’s) dismissive behavior towards her and never says anything. Arthur is grumpy despite people around him being really nice to him. It made me think who would put up with that day in and day out? When someone repeatedly hurts you, would you put aside your feelings and give your all to help that person? Some things felt really unrealistic. At times, I was shaking my head at the incredulity of it all.

But I would still recommend The Lonely Hearts Book Club if you want to read something light and fun. If you love books about books, then this is a good one. Things sometimes feel a little forced but the characters are interesting and you want to know how they will eventually resolve their personal issues. I’d give it a three out of five stars.

Fiction

The Lonely Hearts Book Club

Lucy Gilmore

Published: 2023

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 356, Paperback

The title of the book is horrible. The cover design is equally crap. The paper quality feels weird. The font size irritated me when I riffled through the book. So why did I still pick it up? Of late, I have developed a thing for nutrition and diets. I want to understand food better and figure out what works best for my body. I don’t want to necessarily lose weight but I would like to feel agile and nourished. So, I have been reading random books and articles on the subject.

I had bought ‘Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight’ years ago—perhaps a couple of years after it was published. Diwekar came into limelight for helping Kareena Kapoor lose weight and prepare for her role in the Hindi movie ‘Tashan’. This was when she became a ‘size zero’ and everybody was talking about it. The book is endorsed by Kapoor who says Diwekar not just changed her body but also her mind and soul and that she is the best thing to have happened in her life.

If you want to find out how Kapoor, always a proud voluptuous Punjabi, lost so much weight then this book lets you in on those secrets as well. But there are also many other nuggets of wisdom in the book that will help you make positive choices while eating. The content of the book is not limited to what the title suggests. There is actually a lot of information that helps you make good lifestyle decisions. It also breaks many myths about diets, while opening your eyes to why starving yourself is never a good idea.

Diwekar shows you that you need to have a healthy relationship with food. A diet has to be a lifestyle choice rather than a fad and she gives great tips and tricks on how you can make small changes over time to incorporate healthy eating behaviors. What I liked about this book is that it also shows you how you can eat what you want to without becoming too indulgent or, worse, addicted to something. Unlike most diet books I’ve read, Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight isn’t preachy or too strict with the rules. Diwakar wants you to view food as your friend and not your enemy and that includes your favorite ‘mithai’ as well.

Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight

Rujuta Diwekar

Published: 2009

Publisher: Random House India

Pages: 279, Paperback

‘The Coin’ is a weird but beautiful book. The choppy plot makes you want to sit and mull over things—about love, life, success, and the things that drive us to do what we do. The storyline isn’t linear or coherent. It seems like a jumble of thoughts. But the book’s beauty lies in its chaos. Yasmin Zaher is a Palestinian journalist and writer born in Jerusalem. ‘The Coin’ is her first novel.

The narrator, whose name we never learn, is a wealthy Palestinian woman who has impeccable style and high hygiene standards. But her life is far from perfect. She doesn’t think she’s thriving in America, she only has a vague recollection of ‘home’, and her inheritance is controlled by her uncle and brother. She craves a sense of belongingness and wants to be loved. But she feels out of place at the school where she teaches and her relationships aren’t enriching her as she thought they would. She’s cheating on her long-term boyfriend with someone who’s only ever referred to as ‘Trenchcoat’ and she doesn’t even feel guilty about it.

The chapters are short vignettes narrating the protagonist’s eight months in New York. She spends most of her time ‘teaching’ boys at a school for the underprivileged while buying them burgers and pop. She drops $20 bills and pretends that the money isn’t hers to help those who might be a little strapped for cash. She’s also a cleanliness freak (aka junkie) and spends a lot of time cleaning herself, her home, and even the classroom she uses. She makes her students clean the classroom as well. The plot jumps to her tragic but comfortable childhood and tells us how she survived a car accident that killed her parents, while simultaneously leaving her ‘rich and poor’.

Most of the book is about the protagonist trying to make sense of the world she lives in, and live her best life. Her inability to do those things makes her relatable and endearing. I could see myself in her and I was sure many of my friends would be able to identify with her as well. The book reminded me of Ottessa Moshfegh’s ‘My Year of Rest and Relaxation’ that I had really enjoyed for its slow pace albeit a little depressing content. The protagonist in The Coin is actually better crafted than Moshfegh’s character.

On a deeper level, The Coin explores what it means to be living in a world that’s increasingly divided by race, class, and wealth among other man made parameters. It’s also a novel about consumption and how we are getting addicted to it. There will undoubtedly be times when readers will be disgusted by some of the things in the book but the author manages to get strong points across by bringing some stark, uncomfortable truths to the forefront.

It might sound silly but what I loved about the book is also its brilliant yellow cover with a woman on it. I don’t know why but I’m biased towards books with yellow covers. They just give good vibes and I start those books with a positive feeling that I will love them. And nine out of 10 times I haven’t been disappointed. The Coin joins my growing list/pile of yellow books that I have come to cherish.

The Coin

Yasmin Zaher

Published: 2024

Publisher: Catapult

Pages: 224, Hardcover

If I had to pick one cookbook from my little shelf dedicated to cookbooks, I’d definitely choose Reader’s Digest’s ‘The Great 5-Ingredient Cookbook’. It has 250 simple, healthy recipes that can be made in less than 30 minutes. And there is something for everybody. My husband and I have polar opposite food preferences but we both love many of the recipes from this book.

You can whip something savory and satisfying with ingredients that you already have at home. The recipes require minimal preparation and take less than 30 minutes to make. There are recipes for starters, light meals, snacks, salads, and desserts among others.

What I especially like about the book is that it has a lot of time-saving cooking tips and recipe variations. There is even a section that provides quick recipes for handy sauces and spice mixes that you can use to elevate the taste of simple dishes. The magic microwave tricks section that provides readers with nifty ideas to cook rice, pappadums, popcorn, and the quickest ever jacket potatoes is such a lifesaver. You will wish you had known about them sooner.

The photographs by Ian Hofstetter are gorgeous. There are full page photos of drool worthy dishes and desserts that make you want to try your hands in replicating them. I made Butter Chicken, Penne with Tuna, and Spiced Rice Pulao and they looked exactly like they did in the photos and tasted absolutely marvelous. They have now become my go-to recipes for when I’m not in the mood to cook an elaborate meal but want to enjoy something hearty.

A word of caution though: There are plenty of recipes where you might not be familiar with the ingredients. But I recommend you give them a try if you want to serve/eat something that might not be what you regularly have at home. If some of the recipes are too outlandish, you can easily substitute one or two of the main ingredients with something of your choice. I made a chicken, green bean, and orange salad by following the recipe for the lamb, green bean, and orange salad.

I also liked the layout of the book. It’s very user-friendly, especially for someone like me who gets overwhelmed by the mere thought of cooking a new dish. Each recipe is accompanied by a full-page photo of the dish. It makes the cookbook feel a lot less like an intimidating cookbook and more like a coffee table book that you would pursue at leisure.

The Great 5-Ingredient Cookbook

By Editors of Reader’s Digest

Published by the Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

Pages: 319, Hardcover

The first half of this year was perhaps the worst ever in terms of reading. I must have completed 10 to 12 books at the most. Ideally, I would have read double that number in six months. I left the others midway because they didn’t grab my attention, I couldn’t wrap my head around the plots, or it felt like the wrong time to be reading certain books as I was feeling triggered by many things I read.

 Things changed in the second half of the year as I came across some fabulous books that I couldn’t put down. But I feel my reading pace picking up too. I think it was because despite facing a massive reading slump, I hadn’t completely given up on reading. I always had a book with me and a story in my head. 2024 was a bad year of reading for many of my friends as well. Some of them confessed they hadn’t touched a book in months. But I needed some distraction. I function better if there is a fictional character in my head. 

 This week, I thought I would share some tips on how to get over a reading slump as well as recommend some books that helped me stay sane when most fictional worlds weren’t making sense. These are tried and tested methods that worked for me and I really hope you find them helpful too.

 Reread your favorites

There is nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and your favorite book. You know you won’t be disappointed. I read ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl, ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman, ‘Roar’ by Cecelia Ahern, ‘Intimacy’ by Hanif Kureishi, and ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ by Mark Haddon when I didn’t feel like reading a new book. These books are on a separate shelf in my room and just looking at their spines makes me happy. Sometimes, i no t was just about letting familiar words and settings wash over me and soothe me. Rereading stories that I love made it easier to keep the ball rolling in terms of reading.

 Every reader has some absolute favorite books. I think it helps if you keep these by your bedside (if you have a small stack) or on a separate shelf or cupboard (if the stack keeps getting bigger) so that you can pick one up whenever you find that you aren’t reading anything. Rereading your favorite books also helps you reevaluate them and understand why you love them so much—oftentimes you will come to realize that they provide the comfort you crave, have a therapeutic effect or help you see the world in a different light.

 Try short books or stories

Short stories were my savior when I couldn’t read bigger tomes like ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Geetanjali Shree and ‘The Covenant of Water’ by Abraham Verghese. I’ve heard great things about both these books and will definitely be reading them. I guess the time wasn’t right when I picked them up because I just couldn’t concentrate. This was when I picked up short stories. I read ‘Her Body and Other Parties’ by Carmen Maria Machado, ‘The Diving Pool’ by Yoko Ogawa, and ‘Things We Lost in the Fire’ by Mariana Enriquez. All these collections were surreal and had elements of horror in them and had me hooked.

 What I love about short stories is the fact that they are short and it takes very little time and effort to read one. If you are bored, you can read one on your phone right now. When you are done, you feel a sense of accomplishment that’s not very different from having finished a novel. At the end of the day, a story is a story. If you are looking for something short and by short, I mean stories that are a couple pages long then I suggest you read ‘What We Talk About When We Talk About Love’ by Raymond Carver.

 Pick up mangas

Mangas are the new pop culture. Whenever I go to the bookstore, I see teenagers and youngsters checking them out or inquiring about them. There seems to be a manga craze among people who don’t read much as well. I recently heard a couple discuss how reading a manga was like watching a movie or a series. The images came fully formed in your head unlike reading a book when you have to conjure up the scenes yourself, the girl said. I don’t wholly agree with them—there’s a separate pleasure in being able to think up scenes and situations by yourself.

 But I have come to enjoy manga too. My favorite is ‘The Spy Family’ series. The drawings are great. I find myself looking at a page for far longer than it takes me to read what’s on it. ‘The Heartstopper’ series by Alice Oseman is another graphic novel that explores same-sex relationships in a heartwarming, empathetic, and realistic way. The biggest challenge of reading is that if you are new to it, you can’t visualize what is written or what the writer wants to convey. It’s an acquired skill that takes time.

 Mangas can come to your rescue as each scene is elaborately drawn for you. I have realized that mangas have unique storylines, characters, and plots. Also, most mangas read from right to left, the reverse of English, which reads from left to right. It makes for a fun and different experience. 

Read on the kindle or phone

Reading books on your kindle or phone works best when you find you can’t read much in a single sitting. This way you can find little pockets of time, for example during your commute or when you are waiting for a meeting to start, to read a couple of pages. For me, reading on the kindle helps me read at a leisurely pace as I don’t know how long the chapter or how big the book is (I turn the page setting off). That way I’m not overwhelmed by how much more there is to go. Also, being able to adjust the font and the brightness is helpful when the lighting is low.

Reading, I believe, is fundamental to life. It gives you much-needed perspective on various issues, arms you with information and knowledge, and makes you empathetic, among other things. I’ve always believed it doesn’t matter what you are reading as long as you are reading. And there are just so many books being published these days, of different genres, that we are spoilt for choice. There are all kinds of books to cater to people with different preferences.

Everyone, however, should read the classics. These books have enduring themes and universal messages. They give you a glimpse into the lives of people from different times and backgrounds, thus helping you understand the world and your place in it. Many classics are a part of the school or college syllabus. But there are some lesser-known titles that I love more than the famous ones.

I don’t understand why they haven’t received the love the other classics like ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Great Expectations’, and ‘Anna Karenina’ seem to enjoy. I believe these books are just as worthy of attention, offering insightful glimpses into different eras and cultures. So, this week, I thought I’d recommend 10 classics that I really want more people to read and talk about.

The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1796)

None of my friends had heard about this novel and I’m sure many still don’t know about it.

The Gothic novel tells the story of a monk who gives in to temptation and engages in a series of sinful and horrific acts. The subject matter is scandalous and controversial. I have to give a trigger warning here because there are elaborate mentions of rape and incest. It received a lot of negative feedback from readers upon publication and the author censored the editions that came out after the initial publication. The reason I’m recommending this book is because it’s a stark, albeit uncomfortable, look at what drives people to do the things they do and become who they are.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (1848)

As the youngest of the Bronte sisters, Anne Bronte is often overlooked. Her sisters Emily Bronte and Charlotte Bronte went on to be quite famous but Anne didn’t quite get the same treatment. ‘Agnes Grey’ by Anne didn’t receive the same love as ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte despite the two having similar themes because the latter came out first. Agnes Grey was seen as an imitation of Jane Eyre. But the fact was that Anne had written Agnes Grey much before Charlotte started working on Jane Eyre. What I’m trying to say is that Anne was overshadowed by her sisters for various reasons but that doesn’t mean her books are any less interesting and important. I recommend you read ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ to understand what I mean.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)

Set in England during the time of the Industrial Revolution, ‘North and South’ tackles some of the major economic and social issues of the time. It’s a captivating love story highlighting the clash between profit and humanitarian ideals. There is excellent character development so the book keeps you hooked. The story follows Margaret Hale’s journey from her comfortable life to the poverty of industrial Milton, as she develops a passion for social justice. There’s also the account of a tumultuous relationship with mill owner John Thornton. It’s easy to read as the language is very pleasant. Another good thing about the book is that the chapters are short and you will find yourself breezing through it.

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot (1860)

The Mill on the Floss was first published in three volumes. Spanning a period of over a decade, the novel details the lives of Tom and Maggie Tulliver, siblings who grow up at Dorlcote Mill on the River Floss. It’s a story about a girl’s frustrations and unwillingness to conform to society’s standards. Maggie is impulsive, passionate, and smart but her thoughts and views clash horribly with her family’s expectations. The result is harrowing. Apparently, Eliot drew on her own experiences and frustrations while writing the novel.

In A Glass Darkly by Sheridan Le Fanu (1872)

In this glorious collection of short stories published a year before Fanu’s death, you will get to delve into the eerie and mysterious world of ghosts. There are five stories in the book but the third and the fourth ones are long enough to be called novellas. Dr. Hesselius, a ‘metaphysical’ doctor, presents five cases that blur the line between reality and hallucination. You will be left wondering what is real and what is not. It makes for a taut, tense read. I’m left with a chilling uncertainty that gives me goosebumps every time I pick up this book. The annotated edition of the book features an introduction and explanatory notes, inviting you to explore the supernatural experience with an open mind.

Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (1891)

I bought a copy of the book without knowing anything about it because I liked the sound of the title and the cover of the edition I came across was stunning. I’m glad I did because it’s easily one of the most powerful stories I have read. I read that it received mixed reviews when it was first published as it challenged Victorian ideals of purity and sexual morals. Tess is such a strong, endearing character that you can’t help but fall in love with her. She shows you that weaknesses and strength can go hand-in-hand and that together these two contradictory elements can actually be quite empowering.

Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

Published in 1897, Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel is told by multiple narrators in a series of diary entries, letters, newspaper articles and ships’ logs. An old folklore tale becomes a frightening reality for Jonathan Harker, a solicitor, and his friends, after they visit Count Dracula. The Count is not a hero like the modern vampires we see in contemporary fiction and movies. Interestingly, the Count is not affected by sunlight like most vampires we have read about. Dracula is heartbreaking and refreshing. The story is essentially about love and loss but there’s a lot of tension that keeps you on your toes.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (1921)

The Age of Innocence is Edith Wharton’s eighth novel, and perhaps her most famous one too. She wrote the book when she was in her 50s and was already an author who was in high demand among publishers. It was initially serialized in four parts upon initial release, with a book being published later on. It won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Wharton became the first woman to win the prize. It’s a historical love story set in New York City in the Gilded Age, peppered with feminist ideas. The story is about a man named Newland Archer, a bachelor in New York City. We are also introduced to his fiancée, May Welland, who comes from one of the richest and most respected families in NYC. Newland is eager to marry her. But Newland is conflicted about life and the way he is supposed to live in a system that is inherently flawed.

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (1933)

George Orwell was a British writer and poet best known for his novels ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’. But Orwell also wrote several non-fiction books, including his first published work, Down and Out in Paris and London. It was his first major work, published when Orwell was only 29. It consists of two sections—Paris and London—and is a glaring exposé of those living in poverty. Orwell writes honestly and humorously about his own experiences and observations. It’s a highly entertaining read. You won’t regret having read it. And who knows, it might actually make it to the list of your all-time favorite books.

Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov (1935 – 1936)

‘Invitation to a Beheading’ was originally serialized from 1935 to 1936. It came out in Paris in 1938 with its English translation, worked on by his son, following in 1959. Most of us know Nabokov because we’ve read or heard about the infamous ‘Lolita’ that addresses the controversial issue of hebephilia (sexual preference for children in early adolescence, between ages 11 and 14). I’m not a fan of Lolita and don’t understand the hype surrounding the book but I’m fascinated by Invitation to a Beheading which is a surreal tale of Cincinnatus C’s last days before his execution. Condemned for an imaginary crime in a nameless country, he has to deal with horrible jailers, and a fellow prisoner who’s also his executioner.

‘The Stationery Shop of Tehran’ by Marjan Kamali is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read. The writing is gorgeous. The plot is gripping, even though it reads a little like one of the countless Bollywood movies I’ve watched. The characters are well-crafted. You become so deeply invested in their lives that it’s difficult not to think about them every waking minute while reading the book and for a long time after you are done. I have recommended and gifted the book to a lot of relatives and friends and they have all had really good things to say about it. 

‘The Lion Women of Tehran’ is Kamali’s recent release which follows the lives of two girls Ellie and Homa from 1950 to 2022. In the 1950s, seven-year-old Ellie lived comfortably with her parents till the death of her father forced her mother to move to a tiny home. She is sent to the local school where she befriends a curly headed girl named Homa whose father is a waiter at a hotel. Ellie’s mother doesn’t like her being friends with ‘commoners’ as she is a ‘direct descendent of the royals.’ In an attempt to ensure Ellie has a privileged upbringing, her mother takes a bold step. Their lives change. For the better, this time. 

Soon Ellie forgets all about Homa, despite vehement promises to stay in touch and be friends for life. A few years later, Homa comes back into Ellie’s life, when Ellie would rather keep her past and present separate. However, soon the two pick up where they left off till things ultimately unravel because of an innocent mistake on Ellie’s part during the political turmoil in Iran. But its repercussions span generations and Ellie carries the guilt with her for the most part of her life.

Ellie and Homa are both great characters. They feel like people you know. Even the side characters like Ellie’s mother, uncle, and a few friends have been well fleshed out. It lends a real feel to the story. There is friendship, drama, love, family and political issues in the plot with friendship taking center stage. It’s fun, heartwarming, and a smooth read which reminds you of the value of the people you meet early on in life. It’s also a book about courage and being true to yourself despite your circumstances. All in all, I think it’s a great book that you shouldn’t miss out on. 

Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199798217-the-lion-women-of-tehran 

The Lion Women of Tehran

Marjan Kamali

Published: 2024 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 

Pages: 327, Paperback