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I’M A FAN, SHEENA PATEL, Longlisted for the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction, Shortlisted for the2023Dylan Thomas Prize
“I STALK A WOMAN ON THE INTERNET WHO IS SLEEPING WITH THE SAME MAN AS I AM.”- OPENING LINES OF THE BOOK
This is a book with hardly any names. The protagonist (not named), who is also the narrator, loves ‘the man I want to be with’ although he is married and also promiscuous. She herself has a boyfriend, who is kind and loving.
“EVEN THOUGH HE IS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE AND I AM CHEATING ON MY BOYFRIEND AND THAT MEANS NEITHER OF US IS TRUSTWORTHY, HE IS ALREADY IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THIS EQUILIBRIUM OF ENTANGLEMENTS AND FEELS NO LOYALTY TO ME, WHICH THEN ALSO REVEALS I EXPECT SPECIAL TREATMENT FROM HIM OF SOME KIND, A SELFLESSNESS NO ONE IN THIS WEB IS GIVING ANYONE ELSE. “
She is awed, jealous, and envious of ‘the woman I am obsessed with’, an influencer. She doesn’t follow her but she constantly visits her Instagram page, to know everything about her, she insta-stalks, it is like an obsession. It felt rather creepy. Does social media cause such an effect on everybody? Would you call it transgression?What makes her feel so low? Would people like such a person or hate her? I’m ambivalent.
The author brilliantly portrays helplessness, feeling out of place, inferiority complex, discrimination, feeling- of- being- overwhelmed- by social media, gender bias, confusion, racism, status, wealth inequality, obsolescence and more.
Every chapter is short and its titles are very unique and funny. It is like reading about a person's rage with the whole world! It is a ruthless, powerful, explosive narrative about toxic relationships, well fitted into a small book.
“WE TAKE ON OUR PARENTS' STRUGGLE AS IF IT WERE OUR OWN WHILE DISMISSIVELY EXPLOITING THE PRIVILEGE OF SELF-ACTUALISATION. WE ARE ABLE TO ASK, WHO AM I, A QUESTION OUR PARENTS WERE NEVER ABLE TO ASK THEMSELVES - BUT HAVE WE EVER STOPPED TO ASK, WHAT EXACTLY IS IT WE WANT TO GAIN ACCESS TO?”
She talks about so many topics which are not only relevant in the current world but most of them are worth pondering!
Fast-paced, easy, unputdownable, simply intense read! If you haven't read it, I recommend you should and if you have read it, tell me ur views about the book!
“I STALK A WOMAN ON THE INTERNET WHO IS SLEEPING WITH THE SAME MAN AS I AM.”- OPENING LINES OF THE BOOK
This is a book with hardly any names. The protagonist (not named), who is also the narrator, loves ‘the man I want to be with’ although he is married and also promiscuous. She herself has a boyfriend, who is kind and loving.
“EVEN THOUGH HE IS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE AND I AM CHEATING ON MY BOYFRIEND AND THAT MEANS NEITHER OF US IS TRUSTWORTHY, HE IS ALREADY IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THIS EQUILIBRIUM OF ENTANGLEMENTS AND FEELS NO LOYALTY TO ME, WHICH THEN ALSO REVEALS I EXPECT SPECIAL TREATMENT FROM HIM OF SOME KIND, A SELFLESSNESS NO ONE IN THIS WEB IS GIVING ANYONE ELSE. “
She is awed, jealous, and envious of ‘the woman I am obsessed with’, an influencer. She doesn’t follow her but she constantly visits her Instagram page, to know everything about her, she insta-stalks, it is like an obsession. It felt rather creepy. Does social media cause such an effect on everybody? Would you call it transgression?What makes her feel so low? Would people like such a person or hate her? I’m ambivalent.
The author brilliantly portrays helplessness, feeling out of place, inferiority complex, discrimination, feeling- of- being- overwhelmed- by social media, gender bias, confusion, racism, status, wealth inequality, obsolescence and more.
Every chapter is short and its titles are very unique and funny. It is like reading about a person's rage with the whole world! It is a ruthless, powerful, explosive narrative about toxic relationships, well fitted into a small book.
“WE TAKE ON OUR PARENTS' STRUGGLE AS IF IT WERE OUR OWN WHILE DISMISSIVELY EXPLOITING THE PRIVILEGE OF SELF-ACTUALISATION. WE ARE ABLE TO ASK, WHO AM I, A QUESTION OUR PARENTS WERE NEVER ABLE TO ASK THEMSELVES - BUT HAVE WE EVER STOPPED TO ASK, WHAT EXACTLY IS IT WE WANT TO GAIN ACCESS TO?”
She talks about so many topics which are not only relevant in the current world but most of them are worth pondering!
Fast-paced, easy, unputdownable, simply intense read! If you haven't read it, I recommend you should and if you have read it, tell me ur views about the book!
“THE IMPOSSIBLE COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, THEREFORE THE IMPOSSIBLE MUST BE POSSIBLE IN SPITE OF APPEARANCES” – AGATHA CHRISTIE, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.
How would you visualise a murder mystery? I would imagine a murder, a murderer, a weapon, an investigator/detective, and clues of course. As children we used to love to play Cluedo: Miss Scarlett was killed with a dagger in the dining room!
This book by Stuart Turton is very unusual. Though a murder mystery, instead of moving forward it goes into a time loop, wherein it auto-plays the day on a repeat mode with different perspectives.
Who dies? The titular Evelyn Bishop
Who kills her? We don’t know
What was the motive? We don’t know that either.
But we know where the murder takes place, and we see it happening from various angles and we
Stuart Turton has woven a fantastically brilliant murder mystery with Aiden Bishop as its protagonist?? Well, he is there, and he is not there too!
I was confused when I started reading and then I was totally flummoxed as the plot took twists and turns.
It portrays an affluent family living in Blackheath Manor. They host a party welcoming their daughter Evelyn, who returns home after living in Paris for many years. She is murdered that night. Instead of a sleuth, Aiden who wakes up every morning in a different body must investigate. Aiden cannot leave this place until he solves her murder. He has only eight avatars or eight days to unravel the mystery.
I loved the dark country house setting which was both eerie and majestic at the same time. Though I enjoy reading books with the time loop theme, I couldn’t imagine this theme for a mystery, I suppose that’s what an investigation is about: revisiting the site of the murder. It would be easy for investigators to have such a time loop.
The book ends with these profound lines: “EVERY DAY AFTER THIS ONE IS A GIFT. I JUST HAVE TO KEEP WALKING UNTIL I GET THERE.”
I didn’t expect the ending and was completely perplexed by it too. This book is unlike any mystery I have ever read!
This book was chosen by the amazing members of our book club and I enjoyed reading it.
How would you visualise a murder mystery? I would imagine a murder, a murderer, a weapon, an investigator/detective, and clues of course. As children we used to love to play Cluedo: Miss Scarlett was killed with a dagger in the dining room!
This book by Stuart Turton is very unusual. Though a murder mystery, instead of moving forward it goes into a time loop, wherein it auto-plays the day on a repeat mode with different perspectives.
Who dies? The titular Evelyn Bishop
Who kills her? We don’t know
What was the motive? We don’t know that either.
But we know where the murder takes place, and we see it happening from various angles and we
Stuart Turton has woven a fantastically brilliant murder mystery with Aiden Bishop as its protagonist?? Well, he is there, and he is not there too!
I was confused when I started reading and then I was totally flummoxed as the plot took twists and turns.
It portrays an affluent family living in Blackheath Manor. They host a party welcoming their daughter Evelyn, who returns home after living in Paris for many years. She is murdered that night. Instead of a sleuth, Aiden who wakes up every morning in a different body must investigate. Aiden cannot leave this place until he solves her murder. He has only eight avatars or eight days to unravel the mystery.
I loved the dark country house setting which was both eerie and majestic at the same time. Though I enjoy reading books with the time loop theme, I couldn’t imagine this theme for a mystery, I suppose that’s what an investigation is about: revisiting the site of the murder. It would be easy for investigators to have such a time loop.
The book ends with these profound lines: “EVERY DAY AFTER THIS ONE IS A GIFT. I JUST HAVE TO KEEP WALKING UNTIL I GET THERE.”
I didn’t expect the ending and was completely perplexed by it too. This book is unlike any mystery I have ever read!
This book was chosen by the amazing members of our book club and I enjoyed reading it.
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What is the purpose of your life? Are you a person who plans every step of your life? Do you have an ultimate goal? Does every day of your life work in a clockwork precision?
Some say take one step at a time. Others say chart out your routine. Some multitask, managing many tasks at the same time. People do things according to their needs and requirements. But in the whole process, when we are goal-oriented, career-obsessed and juggling life, on the whole, do we miss out on being happy? On one hand, our life is fast-paced and perfect but on the other hand, still in the corner of our hearts, we have an existential crisis.
I like reading Self-help books. Whether I learn and apply it to my daily life or not, it does make me question my ways. Mostly, a few days after I have finished reading these books I tend to forget it. Last year I read Marie Kondo’s book on decluttering. I tried her ways for a few months!
The concept of Ikigai is very interesting. I read the book IKIGAI by Hector Garcia earlier and I could sense the transformative power, nothing changed but the notion did make me think. I couldn't arrive at a concrete conclusion nor did I metamorphose into a butterfly. I loved the part where it spoke about the people of Okinawa village where people live long and healthy lives.
I find the words Raison d’etre and Ikigai very exquisite and somewhat magical, both meaning the reason or purpose of someone’s existence
This short book puts across the idea in a more relatable manner wherein he gives suggestions for self-assessment, applicable for employed or unemployed people. The last chapter deals with a 30-day challenge which might help in applying these concepts to your daily life. It teaches journaling, it has a website where one can take a personality test.
I can now infer from both the books on ikigai that Ikigai is a perfect balance of happiness, purpose and success and taking everything in, in a slow peaceful way. But I still haven't attained my nirvana or awakening as ‘I still haven't found what I am looking for….’
Some say take one step at a time. Others say chart out your routine. Some multitask, managing many tasks at the same time. People do things according to their needs and requirements. But in the whole process, when we are goal-oriented, career-obsessed and juggling life, on the whole, do we miss out on being happy? On one hand, our life is fast-paced and perfect but on the other hand, still in the corner of our hearts, we have an existential crisis.
I like reading Self-help books. Whether I learn and apply it to my daily life or not, it does make me question my ways. Mostly, a few days after I have finished reading these books I tend to forget it. Last year I read Marie Kondo’s book on decluttering. I tried her ways for a few months!
The concept of Ikigai is very interesting. I read the book IKIGAI by Hector Garcia earlier and I could sense the transformative power, nothing changed but the notion did make me think. I couldn't arrive at a concrete conclusion nor did I metamorphose into a butterfly. I loved the part where it spoke about the people of Okinawa village where people live long and healthy lives.
I find the words Raison d’etre and Ikigai very exquisite and somewhat magical, both meaning the reason or purpose of someone’s existence
This short book puts across the idea in a more relatable manner wherein he gives suggestions for self-assessment, applicable for employed or unemployed people. The last chapter deals with a 30-day challenge which might help in applying these concepts to your daily life. It teaches journaling, it has a website where one can take a personality test.
I can now infer from both the books on ikigai that Ikigai is a perfect balance of happiness, purpose and success and taking everything in, in a slow peaceful way. But I still haven't attained my nirvana or awakening as ‘I still haven't found what I am looking for….’
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found this book really inspirational, and feel-good. It’s a small book with five short stories, all the stories somehow are wound up to the titular library and it has a prominent role to play.
Sometimes people are unsatisfied with their jobs, sometimes with their careers, sometimes with the options that are forced upon them or sometimes they are irritated with their indecisiveness or lack of confidence.
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could actually guide us throughout our lives, or direct us onto the right path? As children, we have our parents to lead us but as we grow up we tend to get lost often getting frustrated with life. This book deals with five such people from various walks of life who end up at the library and meet the librarian Sayuri Komachi, who invariably comes up with a book recommendation that impacts their thought processes and changes how they perceive their lives. I really wish there was such a librarian in every library, who would recommend books as per our liking or suggest a book that changes our outlook or view of life.
The situations in the book are relatable, if not all, some sure are, depending on which stage of life you are in, if not you would see your grandma/ grandpa/ daughter/son in such a situation. Each story has no complexity but the simplicity and the effortlessness with which the situations are dealt with is what makes the stories fun to read.
Each story begins like any normal day of any person but it builds up into a very motivational story. It is like going through the feelings and thoughts of people when they are feeling low because of various reasons. A few of the characters in one story might crop up in another story and, hence get linked, which in turn depicts the connectedness of a society.
Although I loved all the stories, the story I enjoyed the most was about a new mother who is struggling to strike a balance between her career and homefront. How she misses out on opportunities because of her child.
A simple, short book but very uplifting. I enjoyed the read thoroughly and I recommend it to one and all!
lighthearted
medium-paced
“IF YOU COULD GO BACK, WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET?”
A café, coffee, of course, people, waiters/waitresses, chairs, four short stories.
The past is a history and the future a mystery: does that intrigue you?
Do all our wishes come true in our one ephemeral life?
How long should our life be so that we tick off all the items on our bucket list?
“WATER FLOWS FROM HIGH PLACES TO LOW PLACES. THAT IS THE NATURE OF GRAVITY. EMOTIONS ALSO SEEM TO ACT ACCORDING TO GRAVITY.”
Before the Coffee Gets Cold is about relationships, confusion, desires, love, and of course time travelling. The Café Funiculi Funicula has this magical chair that takes you through time. Anybody desirous of travelling has to wait till this spiritedaway-lady-in-white-dress gets up for a toilet break. Here's when they sit on the chair abiding by a set of rules, to get their questions answered, travelling backwards or forwards in time.
I would have loved to learn the story about the woman in the white dress. Though it’s a short book, it dragged on. I enjoyed the last story about the mom and daughter, which portrays a mom's love for her daughter. Many events were predictable and facts were repeated often. The author has painted a vivid picture of the café, and I liked the waitress Kazu, who is depicted as a person who is caring and empathetic. I wouldn’t call the stories captivating as they felt detached, devoid of allure. I’m not sure whether the content lost its charm due to the translation or whether the author had meant to write it in this style.
“AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER ONE RETURNS TO THE PAST OR TRAVELS TO THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT DOES NOT CHANGE. SO IT RAISES THE QUESTION: JUST WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT CHAIR?”
This wasn’t my cup of coffee!