kashvireads: book recommendations & more

kashvi parekh

every week, I pick a book and I review it for you. my reviews are 100% honest and my end goal is to inspire you to read. books have helped me in a lot of areas in my life and i truly believe that they have the power to do the same for everyone, including you. i hope that you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as i love recording it. feel free to DM me @kashvireads on instagram or twitter if you'd like to have bookish conversations because as many of you know - those are the best kind! im always open to taking your suggestions & honest feedback too ❤️

  1. 11/29/2020

    episode 8: the handmaid's tale by margaret atwood

    Question of the Week: Do you read dystopian novels? Which ones are you favourites? Let me know on twitter.com/kashvireads or instagram.com/kashvireads 🌐 The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood written in 1985 is a gripping novel set in the Republic of Gilead, a dystopian and chillingly mysoginistic society. It is a military dictatorship where the United States constitution has been suspended and media has been censored by a radical political group that believes in the limitation of people's rights (women specifically). ♀️ Offred (the protagonist) along with the other women of Gilead, live restricted lives. They are not allowed to read, write, own property, or handle money. Even worse so, their right to control their reproductive organs is snatched in the Republic of Gilead. They are objectified and treated as inferiors; Margaret Atwood conjures up an alternate reality in her book that is satirical but also a cautionary tale.  🗯️ Dystopian novels are often believed to be mirrors to a future where the world is dehumanized and to be frightened of. Atwood's novel does exaclty that - it will not only make you think but also terrify you completely. This isn't because of disturbing imagery; it's the setting that she has created and the bone-chilling atmosphere in the Republic of Gilead.  📚 When I finished reading the book, I was yearning the sequel because it ended with a cliffhanger. I'm really excited to pick it up soon because I've read high praise for it and I want to know what happens next in the autocratic mess of Gilead.  ⚠️ This isn't an easy read - it's pretty horrifying to read about a world where women are nothing more than their reproductive organs. Also, the narration is slightly complex because it keeps switching between the past and the present. Would recommend this to anyone who is into dystopian literature or feminist writing, non-fiction readers might appreciate this one as well! Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 #thehandmaidstale #margaretatwood #vintagebooks #dystopia #dystopianfiction #feminism #feminist #feministliterature #booksbywomen #atwood #readersofinstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation

    episode 8: the handmaid's tale by margaret atwood
  2. 11/22/2020

    episode 7: deep work by cal newport

    Question of the Week: What are your most toxic distractions? How do you get rid of them? Let me know on instagram.com/kashvireads or twitter.com/kashvireads . QOTD: What are your thoughts on Deep Work? How often do you practice it? ⭐ 'Deep Work’ is a term coined by Cal Newport, the writer of this book, and it refers to professional activities performed in a state of distraction free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. Newport’s book is filled with constructive advice for readers to instill the “superpower” of Deep Work in their day-to-day lives in addition to detailed explanations as to why Deep Work is rare, valuable and meaningful. 💡 What I liked the most is that Newport has considered a wide spectrum of people and their likely routines while writing this book. He offers solutions for employees with strict bosses as well as students striving to perform better and even writers who want to finish the first draft of their novel. Also, I really like how he makes it clear that the ability to go deep is not for everyone and thus, not everyone would find value in this book because although Deep Work is meaningful, it is extremely demanding of your commitment, which many people would not be willing to make. Thus, it is also rare. ⚡ Even though there are multiple parts of this book that require skimming because of its repetitive nature, “Deep Work” by Cal Newport is a comprehensive and practical guide for people who are willing to go the extra mile to achieve more. There are several extracts from this book that you will find unnecessary or arguable, but don’t let that get in the way of understanding the more relevant aspects of Deep Work #deepwork #calnewport #bookrecommendations #booksummary #keytakeaways #bookstagramindia #booklover #nonfictionreads #focus #procrastination #businessbooks #adviceoftheday #quotes #quoteoftheday #adviceforwriters #sogoodtheycantignoreyou

    episode 7: deep work by cal newport
  3. 11/15/2020

    episode 6: the song of achilles by madeline miller

    What do you think of myth retellings? Let me know on Instagram.com/kashvireads or twitter.com/kashvireads ❤️ ‘The Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller is a retelling of Homer’s, ‘Illiad’ from the POV of Patroclus. Although I found the first few chapters to be unnecessarily elongated, the rest of the novel is one of the best Historical Fiction books that I have read. The book begins with Patroclus as a child and the story of his exile from Phthia. He is taken under the wing of King Peleus, father of Greek hero Achilles, who was destined for greatness. Over the course of a few years, Patroclus and Achilles form an unseverable bond and a very deep ‘friendship’, to the displeasure of Thetis, a sea goddess and mother of Achilles. Together, the two inseparable companions grow as individuals as well as skilled men.  The narrative picks up when Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped and the young men have been called to serve in the war against her kidnappers. Achilles sees this call as his chance to shine but Patroclus fears what the next few years will entail. Despite the hesitation, he follows Achilles into the war because, well, as Patroclus mentions in the book, he would follow Achilles anywhere, “even into death”. My favourite part of this book was the portrayal of Achilles. In all the myths that I’ve read and legends I’ve heard of, Achilles is meant to be a ruthless, arrogant bully but Madeline Miller’s writing sheds light on his softer side, the one that Patroclus falls in love with. In this light, we see Achilles as someone who is conflicted, yes, but also as someone who is capable of love and compassion. It was really refreshing to read his character from a lover’s POV. Speaking of which, this book is an ode to their relationship. It is an ode to how important they were in harnessing qualities that would have never seen the light of day without the presence of the other. Patroclus finally gets the credit he deserved for Achilles’ greatness. All in all, this was a brilliantly written and engaging novel. SoA has provided me with a lot of context that I needed to properly grasp The Illiad by Homer. I’m looking forward to completing it this year! I would recommend it to all the YA readers and anyone who is into/trying to get into Greek mythology.

    episode 6: the song of achilles by madeline miller

About

every week, I pick a book and I review it for you. my reviews are 100% honest and my end goal is to inspire you to read. books have helped me in a lot of areas in my life and i truly believe that they have the power to do the same for everyone, including you. i hope that you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as i love recording it. feel free to DM me @kashvireads on instagram or twitter if you'd like to have bookish conversations because as many of you know - those are the best kind! im always open to taking your suggestions & honest feedback too ❤️