Latest news with #Bookstagram
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
The burden of being a man in The Kite Runner
(Written by Sreelakshmi Sumesh) When The Kite Runner was published in 2003, it established itself as a powerful narrative of betrayal, guilt, and redemption. But more than 20 years later, beyond the Bookstagram posts and classroom syllabi, I find myself returning to it not for its interrogation of patriarchy through the lens of its male characters. Hosseini does not shy away from violence or the deep emotional scars it leaves. But beneath the novel's more overt themes, what stands out to me most is the dominating presence of patriarchy, a system built by men, sustained by men, and internalised by men. In The Kite Runner, its most powerful effects are not only on the victims it visibly harms, but also on the men it claims to serve. Hosseini's protagonist Amir is one of the most controversial characters in modern fiction. His actions (his betrayal of Hassan for one) raise questions of morality, cowardice and entitlement, but to me, he represents the reality of being shaped by pressure and expectation. His moral failings mirror the kind of ethical confusion many adolescents face. Amir's was not a fairytale childhood. Characterised by constant criticism, disappointment and unpredictability, Baba's emotional abuse towards Amir fuelled his inferiority complex. His guilt for not being an 'ideal son' permeates every aspect of his life, be it his burning desire to win the kite tournament and impress Baba or sacrificing Hassan. In his pursuit to imitate Baba's traditional manliness, valour and pride, Amir concealed the softer, compassionate side of him, the one who liked writing and his mum's books, the one who would have helped Hassan in the alley that fateful winter's day. What he sacrificed that day was his rebellion towards patriarchal indoctrination. By capturing the kite, he gained Baba's respect as a man, but surrendered his humanity. The tortured life of redemption Hosseini paints for Amir is a testament to the dangers of patriarchy for men. His emotional detachment, which lies at the core of Amir's reconstructed facade, shocks readers as we see how heartless he has had to become. However, as a teenager, I feel that his plight demands sympathy as it is a product of pressure. External, internal and heavily patriarchal, pressure that plants an incessant need for society's approval within its victim. For this reason, Amir defines himself through the masculinity he is able to display within society. His ability to dominate others and demand respect from them dictates many of his decisions, such as those he made to send Hassan away. However, throughout the trajectory of The Kite Runner, the acceptance our protagonist finds within himself as an emotionally vulnerable man, makes him human because it offers a clear contrast to his previously toughened self. Through this, Hosseini subverts the patriarchal expectations of a stereotypical apathetic hero to create a character arc that would resound more deeply across multiple generations of youngsters who seek change from such 'macho' protagonists. In this novel, Amir's imperfections fascinated me because it gave his character life. His transformation is realistic, as Hosseini continues to eradicate pre-existing beliefs of the ideal macho-man protagonist. Hosseini reframes masculinity by employing a man's flaws, in addition to the compassion we know exists at his core, to eliminate the patriarchal system which exacerbated his moral weaknesses. Baba, on the other hand, represents a more traditional embodiment of patriarchal manhood. Dominant, distant, and determined, Baba conformed to every convention of masculinity. However, Baba was never truly Amir's as he lived for his own pride and prestige, often at the expense of those around him. From the beginning, Baba dismisses Amir's interests in writing and literature, pressuring him into becoming a version of a man he never wanted to be. Despite the high moral standards he sets for Amir from a very young age, and the disappointment he expresses whenever Amir fails to meet them, Baba was not moral. He hides that Hassan is his illegitimate son. His betrayal of Ali, his friend, was a purposeful decision from a grown man. It cannot be compared with Amir's betrayal of Hassan, which can be understood as the confused decision of a frightened child. When viewed as a microcosm of traditional patriarchy, Baba exposes its contradictions. He preaches morality but does not practice it. Despite his initial flaws, Baba later transforms into a better father. After moving to the USA, he learns to love his son. They become closer, but he still limits expressions of love. His pride, hesitance to show physical affection and refusal to accept medical treatment are all testament to the vice-grip patriarchy has on his ego, those around him and most importantly, his life. Baba's death is a pivotal point in The Kite Runner. It symbolises an end of an era. With Baba, the traditional conventions of masculinity he bore were also buried. Following his death, Amir's writing career takes off, which is symbolic to the fading hold of patriarchy. He is able to write freely, without feeling less of a man. Amir as the foil to Baba symbolises a new dawn. After burying Baba, he learns to love, grow and forgive those around him, but most of all, himself. Through this kindness, Hosseini subverts conventions by viewing patriarchy through the male lens to reveal the pernicious nature it harbours towards its instigators too. (The writer is an intern with
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Joey Tribbiani cried over ‘Little Women'. Still think reading is not for you?
(Written by Manpreet Walia) Your professor tried and failed. Your partner facepalmed and gave up for good. Your friends left the 'trying to convince you to read' chat years ago. Even the Bookstagram algorithm could not hack the 'non-reader' armour you so proudly wear. So are you telling me no one can convince you to read? It cannot be that despite a rich corpus of stories and an extensive spectrum of genres, ranging from classics to fantasy, young adult to erotic, historical fiction to non-fiction, there does not exist a genre seductive enough to tempt you. However, before you scroll past this article, let me clarify, I am not here to cajole you into reading. You don't read? Sure. But you binge-watch shows starring characters who literally romance books like they are people. I bet these five TV show characters can at least get you to think about giving reading a chance: While most Friends characters are occasionally seen with a book in hand, it's Joey and Rachel swapping Little Women for The Shining that truly takes the cake. The charming but dim-witted Joey gets emotionally invested in Beth's illness, while Rachel, our ditzy fashion queen hides The Shining in the freezer because it is too scary. There is even an episode where Joey, while lounging on Rachel's clean sheets, discovers her erotic novel. Watching him learn words like 'vicar' is peak buddy-reading bliss and a reminder that if the 'cool' ones can read, so can you. ● Little Women by Louisa May Alcott ● The Shining by Stephen King ● The Velveteen Rabbit (Joey-level wholesome) ● Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding ● Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (for Rachel's romantic side) I would be doing a disservice to readers across the world if I did not begin with the blue-eyed, rapid-speaking literary fangirl to ever grace a TV screen. The Ultimate Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge exists for a reason, because Rory can practically sweet-talk anyone into reading. Remember when she convinced Dean to give Leo Tolstoy another shot? And who could forget her iconic 'I live in two worlds' speech, where she talks about disappearing into books to feel less alone? ● Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy ● The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath ● Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ● The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath If reading like you are plotting world domination were a character, it would definitely be Wednesday Addams. In the Netflix reboot, she is constantly caught reading obscure Gothic novels, quoting Edgar Allan Poe, and even writing her own murder mystery novel in her dorm room. Here I would like to quote my English teacher who would often very rightly remark, 'You should read books to write one.' So if Wednesday, a morbid girl obsessed with the macabre can be sadistic and still read, what is holding you back? ● The Raven and Other Poems by Edgar Allan Poe ● Frankenstein by Mary Shelley ● Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë ● The Secret History by Donna Tartt You might not immediately peg Fleabag as a 'reader,' but her story is built around the kind of emotional excavation that comes from reading great literature. And when the hot priest hands her a copy of The Holy Bible, she probably wanted to say, 'Thanks, I'll pass.' But instead, she reads it. In the bathtub. But she reads it. Her shelves might not hold many books, but her world is made of words, brutally honest, deeply human, and darkly hilarious. The show has even birthed the viral #FleabagEra on the internet, where readers curate booklists filled with the kind of titles you just know Fleabag would read. ● The Holy Bible (yes, seriously) ● Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton ● The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion ● My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh ● On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 'A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone,' said Tyrion Lannister in the Game of Thrones series. For Tyrion the question was this: how do you survive in a world that mocks your appearance and underestimates your worth? You outthink them. Every clever comeback, every political maneuver, every escape from death was the result of a brain sculpted by books. Tyrion knew he would never win battles with brute strength only with learned wisdom. So if you have ever felt out of place, overlooked, or underestimated, maybe it is time to flip the script and play the game on your own terms. Begin by reading. Just like Tyrion did. ● Meditations by Marcus Aurelius ● The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli ● The Art of War by Sun Tzu ● A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin (because he knows) (The writer is social media strategist with
Buzz Feed
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
29 Barnes & Noble Gifts For Book-Lovers In Your Life
A bookshelf mouse pad so even when they are made to click their way through full inboxes, they can be thinking about the TBR they're going to run back to as soon as it's time to clock out. Price: $16 A romantasy sticker book stuffed to the brim with references to some of their fave series. Perfect for the sticker collector, the tech decorator, and the die-hard romantasy fan who thinks life is better in general with a touch of dragons. Price: $15.99 A hot sauce bookmark for the readers who love when authors ~add a little spice to it~. If you want even MORE super cute bookmarks, they have a raccoon in a trashcan for those self-proclaimed three-raccoons-in-a-trench-coat reading friends, sushi and chopsticks, and even a cat $6.50 A Really Loud Librarians game that can be played with two players or in a big group — like their next book club gathering! — and is *basically* a way to show off that stellar vocabulary in the most hilariously boisterous way possible. Easy to play and even easier to learn, there are no staggering rule books here, so the reader in your life can save all their energy for the *real* books, not for thousands of pages of playing instructions. Price: $19.99 A tote bag with, well, books on it to help them schlep around their keys, wallet, and current read (duh) in the cutest way possible. Promising review: "This is a sturdy, well-made bag. The bottom actually expands to accommodate a wider flat bottom for books. The straps are broad and the canvas is tight, not loose and flimsy. The design is classic and it is pretty! I love this bag!" —Mom in NYPrice: $19.50 A Papier quilted daydream lined notebook if you want to gift them the PERFECT place to keep all their bookish thoughts. Or maybe they'll finally start jotting down some ideas for their own novel (and maybe then they'll dedicate said first novel to you since you bought them this notebook!!) — the possibilities abound. I LOVE Papier because the quality is always stunning whether you're getting a specialized journal (like a wellness journal or a spiral recipe journal!) a blank notebook, or a planner. I feel like a paper queen anytime I get a new paper good from them!Price: $26 A hardcover collector's edition of The Love Hypothesis (with sprayed edges!) to make that one friend who keeps sending you TikTok videos about the new movie casting declare you the best gift giver of all. If they've watched this Tiktok vid announcing the movie casting a Healthy Number of Times™, they're gonna LOVE this review: "It was such a good slow burn, and when it hit a certain part of the book, it was fantastic 🌶️🌶️🌶️" — $30 (originally $35) A kitty eyeglass stand so they can stop hunting for their glasses and get to reading. Promising review: "This looks so cool." —StewatoPrice: $29.99 A strand of book-shaped fairy lights that'll take their Bookstagram posts to the next level. Whether they wind the lights around a bed frame, bookcase, or dangle over a reading nook, these are sure to ~DE-LIGHT💡~ any reading human in your life. Promising reviews: "These lights are made extremely well and look so adorable!" —@thebookpear"I got these for Christmas and love how they look on my bedroom bookshelf. Easy to manipulate." —EBGoldstPrice: $9.99 A pair of planter bookends the bookworm plant parent you know is going to be absolutely FERAL about, because what's more perfect than plants helping hold up your books? NOTHING!! The coolest part? They are ACTUALLY functional. When the plants get thirsty, simply slide the pot up from the metal base for mess-free watering. Truly a plant book genius made $19.99 A World of Shakespeare jigsaw puzzle they'll love for alll the references they'll spot as they ~puzzle~ out their new fave wall decor. This "World of" puzzle series is one of my FAVES. They also have Gatsby, a Jane Austen version, Dracula, and plenty more!Promising review: "One of my favorite puzzles I've ever done. High quality pieces, and the artwork is so intricate. This is a puzzle you could do every year and never tire of it!" —NWMommaPrice: $21.99 A B&N exclusive Sherlock Holmes Lego book nook because the game is afoot, and so is their joy at getting both a fun evening of piecing together Baker Street and having a new piece of shelf decor when they're done. Price: $129.99 A limited edition Wicked Moleskine journal if they're counting down the days until Wicked: For Good is released to the world and need a place to record all their "😱🫠😍💀🪄🧙🏼♂️" emotions while they wait. Don't forget to throw in a collector's edition of the novel that started it all!Price: $30 A book-and-kitty lap desk (with a cupholder!) to give them the cushiest support no matter where they curl up to work, eat, or read. Promising review: "This is too cute and is just what I've been wanting. The pattern on the top is just an added bonus. Need it when addressing Greeting Cards, for my laptop and great for my tablet too." —Meg's MomPrice: $29.99 A candle warming lamp — any bookish human will tell you the best reading sesh involves ✨immaculate vibes✨ and you can help them get there by giving them this dreamy candle warmer that will help them enjoy their candles *and* make them last longer by not burning the wick. And don't forget to snag a candle to go with it so they *really* ~feel the love~. Price: $34.99 A bookshelf pouch so they can stop leaving their pens, highlighters, and bookmarks all over the place like a well-read Hansel and Gretel. Price: $12.99 An Out of Print Wingleader hat because I promise you that if they've ever heard them mumbling "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead," they're gonna want this hat on their head like *yesterday*. Also applies to if you've seen them cry into their cereal with any Rebecca Yarros books nearby, $27.99 A Check Your Shelf literary trivia card game, which features 100 entertaining and conversation-sparking questions from the world of literature, so they can have a game night *and* add some books to their TBR as they play. Price: $19.99 A Mockingjay enamel pin they can stick on their lapel, their backpack, or anywhere else where they might need a reminder of their favorite Girl on Fire and to give them a little oomph in fighting for what they believe in. Price: $9.99 A Nook frost blue Lenovo tablet so no matter where they are in the world, they can feel like they're strolling through their fave local Barnes & Noble and have books instantly at their fingertips. Pair with a B&N gift card to get them started on their e-book collecting journey!Promising review: "I cannot recommend this tablet enough. I got it in February as a bday gift from my fiancé and I've read 20 books on it so far in May. I had wanted a Kindle paperwhite for years, simply because of the cute size and accessories and honestly the hype, but after using the Kindle app for a bit and doing research on Nook products I changed my tune. Wow am I glad I did! I use it 90% for reading, 9% for Pinterest, and 1% for googling life's random questions when my phone is too far away to reach and I don't want to get up lol. If you're considering what e-reader to get between Nook and Kindle, just pull the trigger on this one because you won't regret it! There are even clear case options so you can decorate your own with stickers like ppl do for Kindle, I plan to do that myself to personalize it in the future." —KailahOPrice: $149.99 (also available in silver) A "Pride Not Prejudice" tote bag if they need a colorful serotonin-boosting hand in carrying their Barnes & Noble loot out of the store. Price: $19.99 A purple book fan because whether they're ~fans~ of regency books or not, sometimes you need an aesthetic fan to flutter at suitors, frenemies, or just to help cool off in an aesthetic way during this dang summer heat. Promising review: "Hands down favorite! Love the little details like the gold embossing and gold silk ribbon bookmark. Once you open the fan there is text and pictures from the book, The Scouts of the Valley-by Joseph A. Altsheter." —Louie13Price: $6.99 (also available in red) A set of four Papier mini highlighters to give them the gift of pristine, colorful annotations as they mark up their fave passages so they can revisit them whenever they'd like. Price: $14 A checkered picnic blanket with an elastic closure that any outdoor cat reader will appreciate as a soft place to land while they work their way through their TBR in the sunshine. Price: $39.99 Some cookbook bookends that will hold their utensils, their recipes, and all those delicious cookbooks they're going to work from all year long. Maybe the best gift all along was just offering yourself up as a selfless taste-tester. Promising reviews: "Great addition to our kitchen. Would highly recommend." — bought this item yesterday for gifting. Really like the design concept. Highly recommend this this for gift under $50." —AnilBPrice: $40 And a Tolkien-inspired cookbook to ensure they have enough recipes to cover all six mealtimes: breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, and dinner. The same author also has a Jane Austen version, a Brothers Grimm collection, and an Elven Tolkien cookbook. Promising review: "This is far more than a mere cookbook. This is a visual tribute to the world of Tolkien, with stunning illustrations scattered throughout the book, making it a suitable tome for a coffee table display rather than a book to cram into the cooking collection. It is also an excellent collection of Tolkien trivia about Hobbits, Elves, Wizards, and Men, and the worlds they inhabit. The book is an excellent gift for any Tolkien fan, whether they are cooks or not." —K YoungPrice: $19.99 A retro Book Man enamel keychain if they need some retro Schoolhouse Rock vibes to brighten up their keyring. Price: $9.06 (originally $12.95) A set of postcards from bookstores around the world so they can have the cutest, most worldwide-bookish correspondence around. Price: $24.95 And finally, a Papier guided reading journal to help them keep track of all the books they want to read, buy, and review in the cutest journal possible. Price: $32
Axios
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Des Moines is getting its first romance bookstore
Step aside, Fabio — romance novels are in a modern renaissance, and a new bookstore in Des Moines is celebrating that. Why it matters: Shelf Love DSM will give space to women and queer readers to embrace an often stigmatized genre, says owner Sarah Gardner-Bergan. State of play: Shelf Love is opening July 26 with raffle giveaways and local author talks. Expect pink aesthetics, comfy furniture and shelves full of romance series. How it started: Like many people, Gardner-Bergan enjoyed reading as a kid but fell out of the habit as she got older. As an adult, diving into romance books (specifically, " From Blood and Ash") helped give her an entertaining way to get back into it — as well as listening to more audiobooks. Inspired by her love of reading, Gardner-Bergan began selling book box subscriptions and grew into hosting romance book conventions. And after visiting a romance bookshop in Los Angeles, she was inspired to start one here. What they're saying: Romance novels have historically been stigmatized as "trashy" or "silly," but the rise of BookTok and Bookstagram has helped create an online community that is now gathering in person to chat about their favorite characters. Modern romance books are covering serious issues in a more comfortable way and are including more diverse characters, including queer relationships and people of color, Gardner-Bergan says. She wants to embrace the things that women like to do and ignore the misogyny that can be directed toward them. Zoom out: Gardner-Bergan hopes to add to the Dogtown neighborhood, especially since Nos Books, a bookstore dedicated to diverse stories, is also nearby. Her goal is to host author signings and different activities, like book bedazzling and bookmark decorating. The big picture: Romance bookstores are popping off nationally, including HEA Book Boutique in Marion.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
How Bookstagram is changing the way we discover and discuss books
more by Anosha Rishi | 5 modern malayalam novels(Written by Anosha Rishi Kakanadan) When blogger Sneha Kapoor began posting her thoughts on books on Instagram in 2021, it was simply a way to escape the stillness of the pandemic. She did not expect them to strike a chord with thousands of readers around the world. By the time life returned to some semblance of normalcy, she had created a thriving Bookstagram page where literature, aesthetics, and community converged. 'With Instagram becoming second nature to most, Bookstagram is playing a major role in influencing readership. Whether skin care or eating habits, social media influences all, it is the same for books. People want to be part of what is trending,' says Kapoor. A post shared by Sneha | bookstagram (@bookbegum) Bookstagram, a portmanteau of books and Instagram, is a sub-community on the photo-sharing app, where readers around the world share their literary tastes and engage in bookish conversations. Its video-based counterpart, BookTok, has seen explosive growth on TikTok, the short-form video platform. But in India, where the platform remains banned, Bookstagram is the go-to digital space for bibliophiles. On Bookstagram, aesthetically shot book covers accompany expository book reviews and recommendations. Whether reviving old classics such as Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights (1848) or kindling interest in translated works, these communities are influencing readership, and shaping the publishing industry. There are currently over a hundred million posts tagged #Bookstagram. By the mid-2010s, Instagram had established itself as a popular social media platform, and Bookstagram was an offshoot of the same. Initially, Bookstagram focused on curated pictures of meticulously arranged books. However, the posts gradually became diversified featuring book recommendation lists glamorised through the use of graphic design and visually appealing pictures of book quotes and annotations. The introduction of Instagram reels in 2020 further diversified the content with Bookstagrammers now featuring in their reels and reviewing books. Most Bookstagrammers started their accounts to find a community or express their love for literature. For Suhani Bansal, a law student, her account @quillsandcovers_ was 'born out of a wish to connect with more bookish friends'. Although book reviews and recommendations dominate Bookstagram, it is not merely a transactional space, but also a platform for self-expression. Rachana Bardewa, a Library and Information Science student, who started her Bookstagram account @rachreeads in 2022, says, 'This space began almost accidentally as an act of love. I wanted somewhere to gather all the things that moved me: the words that felt like they were written just for me, the movies that made me feel so many emotions, and songs that held entire seasons.' As a democratic space that allows freedom of expression, Bookstagram offers a level of accessibility and inclusivity that distinguishes it from traditional literary criticism. It provides an informal space for readers of all backgrounds to share opinions, and champions diverse voices, without the mandate of formal training or institutional backing. Bookstagram allows creators to experiment with posts in various formats and styles, which allows for a diverse audience. Example: 'songs that remind me of a book'. These posts not only encourage new creative avenues on social media but also diversify readership. A post shared by rach (@rachreeads) 'Bookstagram has turned reading into something communal and accessible. We no longer find books only in libraries or dusty shop shelves. It has made reading more alive, more interwoven with daily life. It has also broadened horizons: I have found translated works, small publishing houses, and niche titles just scrolling through feeds. In many ways, it has made discovering books serendipitous and personal', says Bardewa. Bookstagram is encouraging readers to explore diverse voices and genres. While Western narratives have traditionally dominated reading lists, of late, there has been a deliberate attempt to decolonise literature. 'Creators are making a conscious effort to spotlight voices beyond the usual. Works translated from Japanese, Korean and Indian languages offer such fresh perspectives, ' says Anjali Anil, an engineer, who started her page in 2024 to 'inspire somebody to pick up a book.' Bookstagrammers engage with their community in creative ways: issuing reading challenges or starting book clubs. 'Book clubs are a great initiative to bring readers from all around the world together. There are also active reading challenges which are aimed at diversifying your reading with reading prompts, which could be serious (eg world literature) or fun (eg read a book with a blue cover),' Resh Susan, a freelance writer and the curator of the account @thebooksatchel, had started a book club, which picked a book every month. 'I used to host a yearly challenge in March called #femmemarch focussed on celebrating work by women. There are several such challenges on Instagram that encourage reading.' A post shared by BookClub #readwithresh (@thesatchelbookclub) Like any other section, Bookstagram is not immune to the algorithm and sweeping trends, which means some books are widely discussed, while others not so much. 'Sometimes, because of social media algorithms, it feels like everybody is reading the same book, or the one with the best marketing team,' says Susan. Despite meddling algorithms, she maintains that Bookstagram is still an excellent place for book recommendations, especially if one finds pages or people whose taste aligns with them. Several influencers often get reading inspiration from their mutual Bookstagrammers. Over the last few years, many books that were widely discussed on Bookstagram and Booktok became international bestsellers, including Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life (2015), Casey McQuiston's Red, White and Royal Blue (2019), Taylor Jenkin Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017). The impact of Bookstagram in the book market is immense. It is common for publishing houses to send books to Bookstagrammers for review. Authors often reach out directly to Bookstagrammers and send them ARCs (advance copies). This is done as a marketing strategy to increase the reach of a book before it hits the shelves. While not all book influencers earn revenue directly through Instagram, they often earn from paid collaborations. However, for most creators, Bookstagram is first and foremost a place to find a community. 'If collaborations come in, that is really great, but the real joy is in sharing books with others,' says Anil, who runs the Bookstagram account @literatewanderer. For those who run pages on Bookstagram, and their growing audiences, the platform is a dynamic, decentralised literary ecosystem. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express).
