The Henna Artist | 
pickAnother excellent read! I really didn‘t like her selfish, sneaky, even mean, little sister, though she grew on me at the end. Lakshmi watches her life be destroyed for the 2nd time through happenings beyond her control. Yet she stays strong trying to figure out what is next even as she grieves her bad circumstances.
pickSo beautiful… seriously loved this book! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🥹 All the stars!
pickWhat a beautiful story about a women who built up her life only to have to do it all over again. This is a story of life, family, perseverance, and growth. Lakshmi was an interesting protagonist and I enjoyed her growth throughout the story.
pickI found this book fascinating! My lovely ESL student is a henna artist, and we often discuss her art. She started a small henna business. Reading this book gave me an understanding of the cultural significance and intricacies of the Art. The main character,Lakshmi,is a strong woman who struggles to be independent and care for her younger sister. Life in 1950‘s Jaipur comes alive in this book! #booked2022 #includesarecipe
New audiobook while playing trains with Matty! 😋 Happy Tuesday!
I am an ESL tutor for a lovely Indian woman who also is a henna artist! As part of our lessons, we read and discuss books. In the past, I have chosen middle grade chapter books. When I saw this book, I asked her if she wanted the challenge to leap to an adult book. The answer was a resounding yes! She is loving it!
pickThis was my #BookSpin for February. I am glad I finally read it after having it on my shelf forever. I thought it was interesting and I care enough about the characters to read the sequel. The sister character got on my nerves so much, until I remembered that she was only 13.
pickI really liked this story.I enjoyed learning about the Indian culture. It is so very different than the way I was brought up. The history of Henna Intrigued me.Reading about the caste system was also very interesting.Although I didn‘t agree with everything that the protagonist did, I grew to like her character. I found the glossary of terms at the end of the book to be very useful, and I referred to it a lot! All in all, this was a very good book.
pickI got completely swept up in this story and read it in one day. All of the characters are vividly drawn, and while all of them have faults that are constantly on display, you feel their inherent goodness so keenly that it‘s easy to forgive them almost anything. The main story is set in 1956 and offers a startlingly intimate portrayal of India just post independence.
pickAn interesting book 😊 Read for the #PopSugarReadingChallenge2021 3.75/5
Did my annual random item/book recommendation book pairing, this time with a drink and vibe by request. I decided to do my book wrap for the year a little early since the upcoming weeks look so busy 😅
https://rachelmansmckenny.substack.com/p/the-one-with-all-the-books
so-soI enjoyed this book. As a historical fictional book, I found it to be an "easy", yet still intriguing book.
I found the history about India fascinating and appreciated the research that was done by the author.
This book has been on my list far too long
Not too bad. I read an average of 40 minutes every day (my goal was 30).
I finished The Secret of Seaside and got halfway through the Henna Artist.
I also started reading A Discovery of Witches & I am re-reading Phantom of the Opera.
😄
#SuperSeptember #readathon
@Andrew65 @EadieB
Day 1 of #SuperSeptember #readathon
•Started The Henna Artist and listened for 1 hour.
•Continued The Secret of Seaside. Read 1 chapter.
Goal to read for at least 30 minutes: ✔
@EadieB @Andrew65
pickWow! This was such a great book. I loved the setting, the time period and the amazing characters. I will be reading the sequel, for sure.
pickI loved this story of a woman who thinks she has it figured out until her younger sister finds her and turns her life upside-down. This beautiful novel is set in India and feels authentic and heartfelt. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction.
pickThis was a beautiful novel of women and what it takes to survive in a very cruel world!
pickThis is one of my favorite novels. Opening its pages again was like returning to an old friend. Lakshmi's life is turned upside down when her 13 year old orphaned sister joins her in Jaipur. Suddenly the life she has built for herself begins to crumble and she must decide what is truly important.
For my full thoughts see: https://heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com/2021/06/realizing-book-is-favorite.html
pick"??????? ??? ?????????--??? ?????--?? ?'? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???. ?? ????. ?? ????. ?? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ???????, ??? ??? ???? ??? ??????."
I love reading books about cultures & time periods different than my own as I learn so much about the world. I really grew to care for Lakshmi, rooting for her through the highs & lows of her story.
pickThis was a pleasant audiobook set in 1950‘s India. Likable characters with a pleasing ending. I enjoyed it. #ReadingAsia2021
I‘ve been listing to a lot of audio books lately. I can‘t seem to focus on the printed page. I‘m enjoying this one and the narration is very soothing.
pickI read this for book club, although I would have gotten around to it eventually based on reviews. I really liked it & would recommend it to others, but it wasn‘t a book that I couldn‘t put down. I‘m not sure why, the story is good, characters are interesting. The second half pulled me in emotionally more than the first. Enjoyed the education about India, including the glossary of words & characters.
pickSuch a beautiful story! I loved this book and will be reading more of Joshi's work! I highly recommend the audiobook version of this too!
pickFinished reading this book tonight and I enjoyed it! A pretty common premise: a woman from a small village who went to the city and endured so much, the highs and lows, the ups and downs, in life. But what fascinated me was the strong Indian culture, tradition, and gastronomy, depicted in this book from henna-making to 👇
pickI hope Alka Joshi continues to write. Learning about the culture of Jaipur in the 50s, through the eyes of an independent woman after India gains its own independence, was fascinating. Lakshmi is my type of heroine. I loved learning about the herbal treatments for depression and other problems. #ReadingAsia2021 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle #India #BBRC @LibrarianRyan @Sarahreadstoomuch
pickFinally finished this listen. It took me forever as I haven't been listening to audiobooks much since the pandemic started. But this one was lovely. I loved how everything wrapped up, not without a lot of heartbreak/betrayals, but with a sense of closure for the characters. The main characters were likable. The story flowed well. When I took long breaks in between listens, I was able to easily pick up where I left off without any confusion.
Next up is a book set in 1950s Jaipur, India. Story of a women who ran away from an abusive relationship and became famous for her henna designs!!!
pickThis is an atmospheric historical fiction debut. I loved the traditional wellness and non traditional female entrepreneur aspects of this books. But I did think some relationships and the ending were quite predictable. Still, it‘s a unique approach to a transitional time for women in India.
Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2022 #booked2021 #setinacountrywhereunpeacemakersare #unpeacemakers #readingasia #india
pickI loved this story about Lakshmi, a henna artist, who ran away from an abusive marriage at 17.
pickBeautifully written! I was pulled into the story immediately.
#bookspinbingo
#booked2021 - set in country where UN Peacekeepers are
pick#ReadingAsia2021
I loved Lashmi's story. Alka Joshi's descriptions of Lashmi's art and meanings were beautiful.
I'm interested to read the sequel The Secret Keeper of Jaipur
