Dear readers,
As a follower of our platform, you know that BGB is a hobby we've continued to nurture because of the incredible reception we've received from our community. Throughout the years, our inbox has overflowed with emails, DMs, and comments echoing a shared desire—an in-person gathering. We are thrilled to partner with Yu & Me Books to bring this vision to life.
Join us for our first ever LIT-erary Diwali Festival in New York City on Saturday, November 4th! Prepare to indulge in our action-packed schedule and tasty bites - including a idli and sambar pop up by Rachel Gurjar and beverages from Driftaway Coffee.
Grab your complementary pass and view our speaker lineup here.
Not native to NYC? Don't worry, your enthusiasm and ideas can still play a crucial role in bringing events like this to your city. Continue to show your interest and share your thoughts with us, as we look forward to expanding our community and celebrating together in more locations in the future.
Until next time,
Mishika and Sri
Joyous Resilience by Anjuli Sherin
Reviewed by: Sofiya
Anjuli Sherin’s “Joyous Resilience: A Path to Individual Healing and Collective Thriving in an Inequitable World” is a 350-page love-note to your inner self. Drawing upon science, academic research, and her own clinical practice and experiences, Sherin’s work is an invitation to reclaim resilience in an increasingly divisive world.
There is much to celebrate in her debut – Sherin fearlessly delves into the intricate web of intersectionality, addressing the profound impact of faith, culture, socio-economic background, race, gender, privilege, and oppression on our shared experiences. She starts by guiding readers through the Cycle of Suffering - and the roles that the Vulnerable Self, Persecutor, and Neglector play in making us feel stuck. Gently, she introduces ways to overcome and replace debilitating feelings of helplessness by entering the Circle of Resilience, encompassing The Nurturer, Protector, Resilient Self, and the Soul Self.
Grounded in empathy, Sherin pairs her knowledge and wisdom with tools, exercises, and practices, encouraging and celebrating the reader for taking a first step. What resonates most powerfully is her meticulous attention to inclusivity, acknowledging the responsibility to historically marginalized and oppressed communities by skillfully weaving diverse narratives into her manifesto.
There is something profoundly special in experiencing the journeys of Sherin’s clients, whose cultures and experiences align with my own as a South Asian, East African Muslim living in the United States. Sherin’s choice to feature the timeless verses of Hafez and Jalaluddin Rumi, instead of Western poets, adds a unique layer of authenticity.
This book is an extraordinary gift for readers willing to open it and listen.
📚 Get your copy of “Joyous Resilience.”
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
Reviewed by: Dilpreet Kainth
In an eerie mystery with a shocking conclusion that will stay with you for weeks to come, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi unravels a disturbing yet illuminating debut.
Anisa is not leading the life she dreamt of: she strives to be a literary translator but is frustrated and stuck subtitling Bollywood films. Her boyfriend, Adam, speaks multiple languages fluently - languages that seem out of reach for her. The situation takes a bizarre turn when Adam suddenly becomes fluent in Anisa's mother tongue, Urdu, leading to a confrontation that forces him to reveal a startling truth.
Each chapter reads like Anisa's diary, offering an intimate and surreal glimpse into The Centre, an invite-only program promising fluency in any language in just ten days. The unsettling experience of the program leaves readers questioning every detail, feeling a pervasive sense of discomfort as they navigate the strange interview process, meet the enigmatic staff, explore the remote facility, and ultimately endure the program.
The chilling details of a language center unfold against a backdrop of conspicuous themes of social class and cultural appropriation, seamlessly interwoven into the immigrant experience. Anisa assimilates to the cultural appropriation she witnesses in London, especially telling when she chooses to learn two European languages, while also criticizing the impact of colonialism and she feels in Karachi, her familial home. The novel is a profound exploration of two worlds shaped by the cruel legacies of colonialism and partition.
Brace yourself for a literary experience that challenges your perceptions and keeps you spellbound until the final page.
📚 Get your copy of “The Centre.”
The Goth House Experiment by SJ Sindu
Reviewed by: Jeffy Joy
Through captivating short stories, SJ Sindu delves into the universal struggle to maintain individuality in a society that often demands conformity. Through this startling and eclectic collection, the celebrated novelist of "Marriage of a Thousand Lies" and "Blue Skinned Gods” proves their mastery of storytelling is not limited to novels.
“The Goth House Experiment” delves into a wide range of themes: the consequences of online fame, the challenges of leaving a marriage for love, and the struggle for connection and self-expression in a world affected by the pandemic and societal unrest. In the richly detailed worlds they are transported to, readers will discover numerous points of resonance.
With humor and, at times, horrifying insight, Sindu brilliantly sheds light on important modern issues. Her writing brings marginalized voices to the forefront, touching upon the immigrant experience with assimilation, discrimination, and racism and the queer community. In addition, the collection explores the power and volatility of the internet age. Through narratives that examine the ripple effects of our actions, Sindu underscores the dangers of “going viral” and cancel culture. While a thoroughly enjoyable read, these stories also serve as cautionary tales, prompting reflection on the consequences of misinformation and the fragility of online reputations. Sindu possesses a remarkable talent for crafting flawed and deeply resonant characters, providing readers with an enjoyable reading experience and abundant material for introspection.
📚 Get your copy of “The Goth House Experiment.”
Colorful Palate by Raj Tawney
Reviewed by: Shruti Thundyil
“The great experiment that is the United States has not been without its growing pains.” Within the first chapter, Raj Tawney sets the tone of his vivid memoir, “Colorful Palate.” Tawney’s coming-of-age book navigates his mixed Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian-American heritage. He grapples with his identity while finding solace in his family's kitchen, where he learns about his heritage through cooking with his mother and grandmother. Each meal becomes a connection to his roots and a means of survival in a world not always accepting of his background. Through vivid descriptions of his daily meals and the inclusion of recipes at the end of each chapter, readers become a part of his culinary and cultural exploration. The narrative becomes particularly captivating when it delves into his mother and grandmother's struggles and triumphs in navigating their identities within their families. Tawney's story is an intimate exploration of race and identity as he welcomes you into his family’s kitchen, allowing you to relive his journey of blending in.
📚 Get your copy of “Colorful Palate.”
To view all of the books featured on our page and/or purchase them from independent booksellers:
I don't think I've ever read or seen a book with my name as the protagonist! (Although spelt slightly different). Will be picking up a copy of The Centre asap 🎉