Tag Archives: Immigrant

Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Marriage & Masti: A Novel – HarperCollins AU

Title: Marriage & Masti
Author: Nisha Sharma
Series: If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Immigrant, South-East Asian
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

This was such a brilliant ending to this trilogy. A wonderful fake marriage/ friends to lover’s trope. And I just adored it. Honestly, I couldn’t put it down. And my only really complaint is that Marriage and Masti is the final book in the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. I loved all three women in this and enjoyed the men. But I do think that Marriage and Masti was my favourite – what a way to round out the trilogy.

Marriage and Masti was a really fun and light-hearted romance. One that had me smiling throughout. Even writing this review a while after the fact leaves me smiling and feeling relaxed. Just the kind of contemporary romance I enjoy. There was still enough angst and drama to make it impossible to put down. But overall, it was so sweet and heart-warming.

Deepak was definitely my favourite of the three males. Probably because he was completely oblivious about Veera’s feelings. I mean, it’s obvious to everyone else that she loves him. But he’s absolutely ignorant of the fact. Yet, after he realises his foolish ignorance, I love how quickly he leans into the relationship. With everything he has and all he is.

Veera is a great counterpoint to Deepak. She is incredibly self-aware, strong, and independent. But also serves as a great reminder that sometimes us strong and independent women just need someone in our corner. Or a hug when things get rough. I love how, regardless of all the drama that occurs throughout the story, Veera is able to go through it with her head held high and dignity intact.

I absolutely loved reading Marriage and Masti. I thought it was a great round out to the trilogy. But it would so be a great book to read as a standalone. A perfect departure from reality and way to believe in love and happily ever after again.

<- Tastes Like ShakkarMore Nisha Sharma ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernandez

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir
Author: Daisy Hernandez
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Immigrant, LGBTQI, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This was such an amazing biography and memoir – there was something about the lyricality and non-linear story that I just absolutely devoured. Not only was Hernandez able to share her story and experiences, but she managed to do so in a way that was entirely unforgettable. I mean, there was just… something about her writing style that hit my deep in the soul, worming it’s way into my daily thoughts and dreams.

A Cup of Water Under My Bed was one of those memoirs that really made me stop and think. It just wormed my way into my mind and wouldn’t let go. I can’t say that many author’s actually have the talent to do this so thoroughly. And the part that stuck with me the most was how Hernandez talked about language and how she felt, as a child, that she had to hate Spanish to be able to move along to English. It’s a stark reminder of the intensity and confusion that comes along with a total upheaval of your life and culture. One that I still can’t understand, but definitely have Big Feelings around.

Not only does Hernandez unapologetically talk about her experiences as the child of immigrants, but she also talks about her bisexuality as a Latino women, and the unique challenges that this comes with. Rather than being a big deal, this part of her story is seamlessly woven in amongst the rest of her tale. She discusses how differently her aunts dealt with her sexuality and, that, ultimately, it was something that was kind of just… ignored. Hernandez is honest about how her sexuality sits in amongst her daily life, then and now.

The first read through of this was wonderful, and this felt like one of those layered tales that I would love to read again. Gaining something new in the lyrical prose that I wasn’t expecting, learning something and seeing the moments that I’ve missed. It might be a little while, but I can almost guarantee that this will be one that I will actually read again in the future (not something I frequently do with memoirs).

<- BlackoutThe Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl ->

Image source: Gulf Stream Lit Mag