Books

Aparna Sanyal’s “Instruments of Torture” is a powerful, unsettling, and deeply reflective collection of eight chilling stories that descend straight into the labyrinths of the human mind. Each story begins with the name of a medieval torture device, which then evolves into a haunting philosophical and psychological metaphor. What starts as a symbol of pain or punishment transforms into a meditation on what trauma truly means—how it is inflicted, processed, and transcended.

“Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman is a profoundly heartwarming story about humanity in all its messy, beautiful glory. It’s funny, compassionate, comforting, wise—and a little silly in the best possible way. Backman has this rare gift of making you sob like a baby and giggle like one too, all while slipping in life lessons so effortlessly that you barely notice how much wiser you’re getting.

Cozy fall reads are here. From seaside romances to witchy found families, these stories are perfect for sweater weather. Read Abbie Well’s September roundup and reviews of "The Cinnamon Bun Book Store," "Learning Curves," "Like In Love With You," and "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches."

Tarun Vikash’s “She Stood By Me” is a heartfelt and engaging romantic fiction novel that offers a relatable look at love’s struggles within a traditional Indian context. The story centers on Aparna, a career-driven woman from an upper-middle-class family, and Abhishek, who comes from humbler beginnings and champions the power of love. Their romance, while sweet and filmy at times, quickly faces the harsh reality of a long-distance relationship and the pressure from conservative families, societal expectations, and the complex logistics of choosing love over convention. The novel is commendable for its simple and nicely done writing, which allows the

Amita Parikh’s debut novel, The Circus Train, is a fast-paced historical fiction story set during World War II. The plot follows Lena Papadopoulos, the daughter of a traveling circus’s star illusionist, who is brilliant and curious but uses a wheelchair due to a childhood bout of polio.

Like his previous works, Hosseini avoids cheap theatrics, opting for a raw, unflinching look at harsh realities. This commitment to authenticity is what makes the book so powerful. The story begins with a fable told by a father, Saboor, to his two children, Abdullah and Pari, as they travel through the mountains.