DocDivaTraveller: March 2024

Title: Goagram

Author: Bina Nayak

Genre: Fiction, Comedy

Publisher: Harper Collins

First of all, the book cover is extremely attractive! Secondly, it's based in Goa! I mean do you know anyone who doesn't love Goa? Well, I will let you know my little secret: it's my favourite place in India! And thirdly, it's about a Delhi influencer's adventures in the smallest state of India! What else could I have asked for? Did I need more? No! I just grabbed my copy and devoured it.

This novel has a bit of everything: comedy, adventure, ambition, nostalgia, drama and even SA. And everything is weaved so naturally that you will start living the life of Madhur, the protagonist, vicariously.

There are some real life lessons too, like Madhur and her tech friend discuss about online safety on their podcast. I have been blogging for the past 11 years now, which has evolved into "influencing" since a few years and I couldn't relate more what she did and had to say.

Some parts will set you laughing like crazy while you would be biting your nails in others. The friendships and relationships portrayed in this story are so pure....the landlady was like an angel to Madhur and so was her nephew. It feels so refreshing to know that good people do exist these days too.

Set during the dreadful pandemic era, the backdrop is very relatable. How a Delhiite escapes to Goa to run away from grief as well as the pandemic and also to give her life a fresh start. Be it her influencer journey or an aspiring fashion designer, her trip through the various stages of career are very realistic. In the end she manages to win and you keep on cheering for her. But her impending success does not come without struggles. She gets sexually assaulted, catches Covid and sinks into depression for a considerable amount of time. Also her mother like landlady leaves her; and she is absolutely on her own , far away from home.

It's a feel good story but not without some shocking moments in between. I loved the book. Anyone who loves light hearted novels would fall for this. The illustrations, although few, are very beautiful and thoughtfully done.

Rating: 5/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program

March 29, 2024 No comments

Night excursions are often my most favourite things to do in a big city. I often post night guides of the famous cities I have visited (free activity guides; because I totally believe in budget travel). I just realised that I never got to write about Florence or Firenze at night; something that we have cherished for years after. So here you go.

1. Hang out on the Piazza Michelangelo after watching the sunset.

Sunset on the highest point of this artistic city is THE most important thing to do in Florence. Same goes with sunrise too, you can never get bored. Magical would be an understatement!

So after it starts getting dark, the people will get into party mood. Singing, cellos, wine etc etc. Just watching the Italians and other tourists do their thing itself is such a delight. Not to forget watching the city get lit up from the top of the hill is magnificent.

2. Walk along the Arno river

Walking is definitely the most underrated form of entertainment when in a beautiful, new city. And when it's along a waterbody, it's all the more magical! You can go to Ponte Vecchio too, although the shops would be closed, people can be seen indulging in music and other kinds of activities. Everywhere the locals are trying to entertain the entertain the tourists and expecting tips in return.

3. Get a gelato at a cute place

Gelatos can really be expensive at gelatarias or ristorantes I mean in big cities like Florence. You can't expect any dolce under 2 Euro, which is quite a lot , if you are buying for the entire family, after every meal. But what I want to say is that the entire getting a gelato is also an experience.

I loved selecting a place based on its decor. Think Tuscan countryside vibes: stone walls, olive trees, huge urns, etc etc.

4. Get pizza and pasta

Can you ever get bored of pizzas and pastas when in Italia? The answer is a FREAKING NO! Having and elaborate meal at night is more enjoyable because of the endless forms of entertainment going on in the piazzas or city squares. That's why I love dining al fresco, since it opens you up to the outside world. The entertainers surely expect tips, but it's not compulsory. After all, you did not ask them to play their cellos or entertain you with gigantic bubbles! If you don't plan to tip, don't photograph them!

5. Roam on the streets and window shop

Some of these cities are literally heaven for luxury shopping. But let's get it straight: you really can't go inside and browse unless you plan to buy something. I mean we brown people are already notorious for being poor and window shopping during the prime hours would destroy our image even more! At night, the showrooms are closed but the windows are illuminated throughout the night. You can not only browse but at your own pace but without being scrutinised too! It's really fun! Try it!

So what's the most favourite activity you love indulging at night while exploring a new city?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

March 08, 2024 21 comments

If blogging gave me something very important apart from self employment, it has to be the incredible writers' community. I mean the like minded individuals who have a knack for creative writing, are the best part of my working day. The friendships that I have formed have only gotten stronger over time. We, as a community also love to write on a common topic, to share our common interests. So I am part of this Bookish blog, where we write about a specific topic every month pertaining to books and this month it is " Book at the backdrop of an Indian festival.

Now festivals are an integral part of our culture. There are innumerable festivals celebrated in our country and hence a long list of books are dedicated to them. But then it struck me, what's that festival in India that's celebrated with great pomp and show, by every religion and caste and creed and pops up almost every month? Yes, you guessed it right! It's the great Indian wedding!

An Indian wedding is a week long extravaganza. From traditional functions like Sangeet, Haldi and Mehandi to the Westernized events like Bachelor/Bachelorette party, Cocktail night etc etc, Indian weddings are like a week of Durga Puja or Diwali celebration (Narak Chaturdashi, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, etc etc..)

Now there are many books on Indian weddings too; just like festivals. However a book that had particularly captured my heart was the one I had read last year: The Great Indian Tamasha. Written by the bespoke Delhi based international wedding planner, Rasika Bhatia, this book is a collection of her experiences of conducting weddings throughout decades. All the stories are real (with changed identities of course) and most of them are a hilarious take as to what all can go wrong in an Indian Wedding. The title is so apt; I truly feel that the fat Indian wedding is nothing less than a great Tamasha. So many people to please, so many gifts to shower and an over the top budget. Just like any neighbourhood's annual Durga Puja. I mean if you are a Bengali, you would be able to relate! Every year, it's the same story. Budget always overshoots the collection, lots of politics involved and many bridges are burnt.

So if you are game for a hearty laugh, pick up this book. You won't be able to keep it down! The chapters are very short and barring a few shocking and emotional tales, it's a laugh riot.

So what's your take on this wedding and festival analogy? Do you feel the similarities too?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘BookishCafeBloghop2024’ hosted by Rakhi Jayashankar and Samata Dey Bose