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Secret Daughter
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Somers life is everything sheimagined it would beshesnewly married and has startedher career as a physician in SanFranciscountil she makes the devastatingdiscovery she never will beable to have children.The same year in India, a poormother makes the heartbreakingchoice to save her newborn daughterslife by giving her away. It is adecision that will haunt Kavita forthe rest of her life, and cause aripple effect that travels across theworld and back again. Asha, adopted out of a Mumbaiorphanage, is the child that bindsthe destinies of these two women. Wefollow both families, invisibly connecteduntil Ashas journey of self-discoveryleads her back to India.Compulsively readable anddeeply touching, Secret Daughter isa story of the unforeseen ways inwhich our choices and families affectour lives, and the indelible power oflove in all its many forms.
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margoge@hotmail.com
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

This book was awesome. I loved that it took place in India and in the US. It felt very real and relatable. Starting out with an extremely poor family in India and the choices they are forced to make because of their poverty. It continues with a wealthy family in India and their choice to send their eldest soon to America for schooling. Both families are forever changed by their choices and forever linked. Very good read!

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llwheeler
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

July #doublespin done! @TheAromaofBooks

I've been wanting to get to this one for a while now, so I was pleased it got pulled for #BookSpin this month. I enjoyed it and would read more by this author. It was a total cover buy, nice when that works out... love those colours.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
43 likes1 comment
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llwheeler
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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July #BookSpin list ready to go!

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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llwheeler
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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How is it time to post June lists already? That's my main question.

Anyway, still currently reading both May #BookSpin and #doublespin but should finish them soon. My June list is mostly the same as May with replacements for the ones I read. Not doing bingo this month, too many other things to focus on.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! And I have the same question about it being June already!!! 3y
llwheeler @TheAromaofBooks I know right! 3y
30 likes2 comments
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llwheeler
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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#BookSpin list ready for May! It's got a bit of everything on it... Some #seriesread2021, some #ReadCanada, some #fourfoursin21, and some just cause I wanna read them soon (gasp!)

Looking forward to the number draw! Thanks @TheAromaofBooks

Andrea4 A girl's book club night where we spend most of the night talking about tangentially related topics and eat a selection of random candy and treats from bulk Barn 😍 3y
llwheeler @Andrea4 can't wait to do that again... someday! 3y
Andrea4 @llwheeler maybe in London 😯😯 3y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
TheSpineView Way to go!💜📖📚 3y
27 likes6 comments
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Ryles
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Excited to start a new book to help hide away from the cooooold winter out there ❄️🇨🇦📚

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alisonrose
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Panpan

Guess I‘m kinda in the minority but I found this pretty predictable and superficial. The characters were more like caricatures for the most part, and there was too much telling rather than showing as far as their emotions, behavior, etc. The only one I felt drawn to at all was Kavita, she felt more authentic. The topic is an important one but the author mostly skimmed the surface level, while throwing around a lot of banal clichés. 2/5 ⭐️

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alisonrose
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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JFC Somer is a fucking monster. I can‘t tell if the author wants us to sympathize with her or loathe her, but it‘s definitely been the latter for me since almost the beginning of the book. She‘s got enough White Woman Tears to float a battleship 🙄

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alisonrose
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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This title is kinda cringeworthy, feels like a Hallmark movie title or something. But the actual story sounds good so I won‘t be nitpicky about it...much 😬

35 likes1 stack add
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Momob121
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

Excellent book! The story of adoption, marriage and parenthood pulls you in from the beginning. The sacrifices and realities of life in India is quite heartbreaking. Very well written.

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Books4Ever
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. Real characters, real problems, and real information. This was an incredible read, a truly beautiful story about love, loss, and family. And this sunset was photobombed by me 🤪

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Books4Ever
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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I‘ve been super busy and haven‘t done a lot of reading 😢 but my sister recommended this book and I can‘t put it down 😊 and Ella is just too cute not to post 😘

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bookaholic1
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed listening to this book while keeping busy doing puzzles, one of the favorite things I love to do.
A girl is adopted from India and because her father's family is there, she goes to become a reporter while there she tries to find her birth parents. Very heart warming

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throwmeabook
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

Told through three intertwining points of view over a span of 25 years, Secret Daughter tenderly conveys a three pronged story; a mother forced by circumstance to give up her baby, a couple longing to have a child of their own and a girl searching for acceptance and belonging. Emotionally difficult to read at times but absolutely beautiful. I can‘t wait to get my hands on the author‘s other novel The Golden Son. ❤️#mounttbr #book15

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Bevita
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

Compelling story of an Indian girl adopted by American mom/Indian dad.

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kedupre
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Mehso-so

I loved the descriptions of life in Mumbai. But I wish it had gone deeper into the emotions of forgiveness. If it were me, I would never ever EVER forgive a certain character for a certain act (no spoilers). Why did she?

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Lea
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Mehso-so

I read this one for my book club. If it wasn‘t for that I would have bailed. There are almost zero likable characters, Kavita being the only one. This should be an emotion filled book. It isn‘t. There‘s almost no emotion, no looking into feelings or opinions. It‘s very surface. Part 4 is the best, at the end, the characters have more feeling. It‘s a shame the entire book wasn‘t written that way. #readwomen #diversebooks
#bookriot —> set in a BRIC

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silentrequiem
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Someone wanted to be in one of the book donation boxes. #catsoflitsy

JaclynW How cute! 6y
tpixie Pretty kitty 🐱 6y
46 likes2 comments
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anrobe
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Starting this tonight. It‘s one I‘m reading as part of the #diversebookclub - I‘m looking forward to digging in! Have any of you read this one?

bookishkai I read it a few years ago, and remember liking it. 6y
nomadreader I love this book so much. Enjoy! 6y
anrobe @bookishkris @nomadreader I‘m so glad to hear you both liked it! I‘ve heard good things! 6y
17 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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alisiakae
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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I had a pretty crappy morning yesterday. Usually, I indulge in books on crappy days, but even that wasn‘t appealing to me.

So I binged the 4 latest This Is Us episodes so I am caught up again!

And came across a reading list (link in comments) for #ThisIsUs fans. 😃😃😃

Not sure how a show that makes me cry during every episode lifted my mood, but it did! 🤔

And back to my book today, it‘s due back at the library tomorrow!

DivaDiane Katharsis! 6y
Betty Thanks for the reading list! I'm posting it on Facebook for my friends, also fans. 6y
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Kaye I hope your day goes better today. The only book I‘ve read off the list is The House We Grew Up In. I really liked it a lot ! Audio is fantastic. ❤️ 6y
OrangeMooseReads I love this show! It does somehow lift one‘s spirits. Thanks for the reading list I‘m sure I‘m going to be adding to my TBR 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope your day is better today!!! 💕 6y
cobwebmoth I hope the rest of your week is better! 6y
alisiakae @Kaye @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @cobwebmoth Thanks! It is better. Yesterday wasn‘t horrible, just your run of the mill crappy morning. 😃 An afternoon of lounging helped! 6y
ChelseaM6010 I LOVE This is us! I hope your day is better today 💖 thanks for the reading list! 😊 6y
JacqMac Sometimes a good cry makes everything better. Hope you‘re have a better day. 6y
Meeko93 I love this show! 6y
82 likes11 comments
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RosieBoo65
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

If you‘ve been adopted or you are an adoptive parent, this is a book for you. I read this as part of the Diverse Books Club with our theme this month being adoption. The story of Asha, born in India, is told from the perspectives of her biological parents, adoptive parents, and herself. It spans 25 years and is such a tender-hearted telling of the journey of adoption. (Authentic Indian scarf!) #diversebooksclub

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emmavictoria3
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Pickpick

I read this book on my kindle. It took me two days. I could not put it down. The story is beautiful and moving, I was emotional the entire time. The characters are so lovable, I hated to leave them behind once I finished the book. I felt as if I had really come to know each one.

RaimeyGallant Nice review. :) Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you're interested. :) 6y
4 likes1 comment
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RosieBoo65
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Reading Secret Daughter and sipping my Harney & Sons Vanilla Comoro Tea. This book is gripping and also hard to read at times. The adopted Asha is heading to her homeland for the first time. The world is big and small all at the same time. And reading this now at such a hard time for those who‘ve found refuge in the amazing US feels right.

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mhillis
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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The first week of 2018 has been a great week of reading! #thisweek I finished 3 books:
The Vegetarian 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A Beautiful Work in Progress 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secret Daughter 3.5 🌟🌟🌟
and started reading The Luminaries

This morning my Litfluence was over 15,000🤩 Thank you!!

drokka 🎉🎉🎉 6y
LeahBergen Woohoo! 🎉🎉🎉 6y
Bookladylinda Congratulations!!!!! 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊 6y
See All 8 Comments
batsy Wow! 6y
batsy And congrats! 😀🎉🎉🎉 6y
Chelleo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 6y
TheBibliotherapist Loved The Vegetarian! 6y
73 likes1 stack add8 comments
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mhillis
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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-Told in alternating points of view by members of 2 families
-Set in India and the US
-International marriage and adoption
I‘m almost halfway finished with my second book of the year and this month‘s pick for #diversebooksclub 📚

Tamra Sounds good! 6y
ChasingOm I love reading their picks! 6y
mhillis @ChasingOm @Tamra Their recommendations are good! To be honest, I wasn‘t sure about this one, but I‘m enjoying the story so far 6y
61 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Smangela
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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#brilliantglows10kgiveaway

Wow SO many generous Littens this December!

@brilliantglow I was tempted to say Modelland mainly because I‘m intrigued with Tyra Banks writing - was it good? But I think I‘d want Secret Daughter, it sounds amazing 😍

brilliantglow Thanks for entering! Modelland, I bought it because I was curious. It turned out to be quite a bit better than I expected it to be. Congrats to Tyra on that front. Secret daughter was really good though 6y
64 likes1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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All of these are part of my huge TBR pile! #RedGoldGreen #JingleShelves @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @bookloo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great stack!!! I really should read 6y
bookloo @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Ditto on this. ♥️ (edited) 6y
107 likes2 comments
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Bourriquet76
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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I have decided to finally go through my Goodreads to-read list. We had to make a library trip.

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MPL
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Pickpick

Our African American Book Discussion Group gave 5🌟 to this story of two women across the world who must make life altering choices which binds their destinies forever.

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Alicia
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Me and my mom are doing a Mother/Daughter book club. We did the 5-3-1 method, and this is our pick! I suggested it and chose it because I haven't heard of it! My mother is very interested in Indian culture as well and she's been to India a few times. I'm excited to read something with her! She lives back in CA (I'm in AZ) so I hope it's a good way to have even more conversations!

TheKidUpstairs What is the 5-3-1 method? 7y
Alicia @TheKidUpstairs it's where one person picks 5 books, the next person picks 3 out of those 5 and then the last person chooses the book from the 3! So I picked 5, my Mom narrowed it to 3 and then I chose our final pick! It seemed liked a cool and fair method. Also worked well because my mom isn't as familiar with new books but definitely had a lot of thoughts on what she'd want to read. 7y
Megabooks That's so cool! 7y
See All 8 Comments
Gezemice That's a great method! I want to try it with my kid! 7y
398.2 That's such a cute idea! 7y
Wife Sounds fun!🌹 7y
readinginthedark So fun! After my mom and I reread all of the Austen novels, we'll probably be looking for more contemporary books, so let me know if you find any that you both love! 7y
56 likes8 comments
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KarenJ
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Pickpick

I loved this book. The settings were brought to life for me, even the smells. I felt the emotional roller coaster of everyone!

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Babs_book_obsession
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Mehso-so

Not bad. Despite having some good serious themes it feels like a beach read. The characters are a bit stereotypical and Somer is ridiculously unlikeable.

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JustJenn
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Mehso-so

Great read for a road trip! A fast paced and novel told from three perspectives (mother-mother-daughter) about an international adoption. The majority of the story takes place in Mumbai and I enjoyed reading about the food and culture.

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CarolPartin
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda

"I'm a product of all that- all those efforts, all these people who loved me, even before they knew me." Sanjay smiles. "That's family."

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CarolPartin
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Pickpick

I loved the way the characters grew in this book. The author did a great job showing a mother's unconditional love for her children in several different situations. Enjoyed reading about the Indian food, clothing, religion, and daily life in Mumbai.

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JaymiGirl
Secret Daughter: A Novel | Shilpi Somaya Gowda
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Then, without needing to speak, together they hold the clay urn up over the water and tilt it until the last few ashes are emptied.

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