In this episode, we continue to read the book "This is a story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett which is collection of her essays.

We read and discuss three essays in this episode - Essay 13 - The Love Between the Two Women Is Not Normal, Essay 14 - The Right to Read and Essay 12 - Do Not Disturb.

In ‘The Love Between the Two Women Is Not Normal,’ Patchett challenges social judgment and prejudice by reflecting on how love—authentic, human, and transformative—often gets labeled and misunderstood. It’s a piece about the courage to stand by what’s true even when society resists.

Then, in ‘The Right to Read,’ she explores the freedom of access to books, the importance of intellectual independence, and why reading is more than just personal enjoyment—it’s a right that shapes democracy and critical thought.

Finally, in ‘Do Not Disturb,’ Patchett gives us a quieter but deeply relatable meditation on solitude, boundaries, and the small yet vital ways we protect our personal space in a noisy, demanding world.

Together, these essays weave a conversation about love, freedom, and the need to guard both our relationships and our inner lives. So, stay with us as we unpack Ann Patchett’s insights—reflecting not just on her words, but on what they mean for us today.

In this episode, we read and discuss the book Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams.

In Careless People, former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams shatters the curated veneer of innovation and purpose, exposing the company’s inner workings—from whispered power plays on private jets to decisions that fueled global harm. It’s called Careless People, echoing Fitzgerald’s indictment of moral irresponsibility—Tom and Daisy meet tech-bro excess.

This is more than a memoir—it’s a searing account of how unchecked ambition and carelessness can reshape societies, not just social networks.

So grab your earbuds and steel your heart—it’s time for Careless People.

In this episode, we continue to explore Essay 6: Loosening the Past from Mother Pious Lady, where Santosh Desai reflects on the subtle and striking ways India’s middle class is moving away from tradition—without entirely letting go.

This section delves into how the boundaries of morality, modernity, and identity are shifting under the influence of globalization, aspiration, and self-expression.

From “The Moral of Drinking” to the irony of “Father Amitabh”, Desai holds a mirror to our evolving values—where beach vacations with Sunita, Western clothes, and private rebellion coexist with cultural guilt and inherited conservatism. In “The Death of the Baritone,” Desai mourns the loss of gravitas and restraint in our public voices—replaced now by high-pitched, opinionated noise that mirrors our increasingly restless, reactionary selves.

Do let us which sub-essay is your favorite?

In this episode, we explore Essay 6: Loosening the Past from Mother Pious Lady, where Santosh Desai reflects on the subtle and striking ways India’s middle class is moving away from tradition—without entirely letting go.

This section delves into how the boundaries of morality, modernity, and identity are shifting under the influence of globalization, aspiration, and self-expression.

From “The Moral of Drinking” to the irony of “Father Amitabh”, Desai holds a mirror to our evolving values—where beach vacations with Sunita, Western clothes, and private rebellion coexist with cultural guilt and inherited conservatism. It’s about a generation that’s trying to loosen its grip on old ideals, while still clinging to what feels safe and familiar.

In this episode, we read the book The Wedding People.

The Wedding People is a dazzling, deeply moving. Set over the course of a single weekend at a luxurious New England inn, this story invites us into the heart of a destination wedding—where not everything is as picture-perfect as it seems.

At the center is Phoebe Stone, a woman at her lowest point who checks into the inn with no intention of making it to Monday. But when a twist of fate pulls her into the chaos of someone else’s wedding, what unfolds is funny, messy, heartfelt—and entirely life-altering.

From controlling brides and grieving grooms to teenage wisdom and coconut-scented absurdities, The Wedding People is both a sharp satire of wedding culture and a tender exploration of grief, connection, and what it really means to choose life.

This is The Wedding People, and it’s not just about saying “I do”—it’s about asking, what if life gives you another chance to begin again?

In this episode we read the book A Bend in the Ganges by Manohar Malgonkar.

It is a powerful novel set against the backdrop of India’s turbulent fight for independence from British rule. First published in 1964, the book explores the years from the 1930s to the partition of India in 1947—a period defined by political upheaval, civil disobedience, and violence.

Through the lives of its three central characters—Gian Talwar, a devout Gandhian; Debi Dayal, a revolutionary who believes in armed resistance; and Shafi Usman, his Muslim friend and comrade—the novel confronts the ideological divides that shaped India’s destiny. Their personal journeys mirror the nation’s moral and political dilemmas as they navigate the tragic irony of seeking freedom through violence and sacrifice.

If you haven’t read it yet, consider it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the moral conflicts that shaped South Asian history.

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India.

In this episode, we dive into Chapter 4 of Santosh Desai’s Mother Pious Lady, a collection of sharp, humorous, and touching reflections on middle-class India. This chapter peels back the layers of familiar routines, traditions, and social quirks, inviting us to look closer at the unspoken rules and hidden meanings in our daily lives.

Join us as we unpack Desai’s insights, laugh at his witty observations, and reflect on how his words resonate with our own experiences. Whether you grew up in India or are curious about its social fabric, this episode offers a thoughtful and entertaining journey into the details that make Indian middle-class life so unique.

So grab your chai, settle in, and let’s explore the ordinary moments that shape who we are.

“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India.

In this episode, we dive into Chapter 4 of Santosh Desai’s Mother Pious Lady, a collection of sharp, humorous, and touching reflections on middle-class India. This chapter peels back the layers of familiar routines, traditions, and social quirks, inviting us to look closer at the unspoken rules and hidden meanings in our daily lives.

Join us as we unpack Desai’s insights, laugh at his witty observations, and reflect on how his words resonate with our own experiences. Whether you grew up in India or are curious about its social fabric, this episode offers a thoughtful and entertaining journey into the details that make Indian middle-class life so unique.

So grab your chai, settle in, and let’s explore the ordinary moments that shape who we are.