At the cusp of a new beginning in my life, I couldn't be more grateful to my friends for constantly pushing me to be a better version of myself and making sure I don't succumb to the isolation that the pandemic brought upon us. Nothing too big is happening, I'm not getting married yet (congratulations again Miti!) Or moving to a new country for work (hello Tvisha!) I decided to pursue my passion for photography full time, and not pressurize myself to fit a mold of following the widely accepted path of a traditional desk job.
At nearly 26, I feel my inner child thrive. The past two years weren't easy but receiving emails from Shelf Indulgence were a reminder that help is available for those who ask. After a series of events that didn't go in my favor, I ended up in a depressive spiral, but time has been on my side, a faithful friend much like reading books and making it a point to attend book club meetings (whenever I could) has helped. Long story short, I feel at peace in my body again.
Whether it was Big Friendship inspiring me to check in with my high-school and childhood friends or So Long a Letter giving me the idea to send hand written mail to my closest friends, the bookclub continues to shape my understanding of who I am and who I want to be. Lastly, Aristotle and Dante had me gripped onto to my kindle till the last page, hope you all also discovered something new these last couple of months!
- Subhashree (Shelf Indulgence Member)
In the last three months, we read
January: Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close
February: So Long A Letter
March: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Three different styles
Epistorial novel
A story/novel
Nonfiction essay
A diverse selection of authors
LBGTQIA
African Diaspora
Contemporary friendship
Interracial friendships
Some reflection questions
Which book was your favorite and why?
What are some key takeaways for you after our discussions?
All three books spoke about friendships that are varying in gender, race, age, and time - what was a common conclusion after reading the books?
Did the books made you rethink some of the friendships you’re holding onto?
Share a moment from the past 3 months when a friendship became the highlight of the day/month/week/year.
How do you place friendships in your life? Is it a priority?
How have you navigated friendships that cross deep differences in identity like race, gender, sexuality, and class? Have you ever felt dropped through the “trapdoor”?
Our theme for the next three months is Body.
SHELF INDULGENCE PICKS:
May: Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
June: My Body
July: The Elephant in the Womb
Love,
Miti and Tvisha
P.S. If you’re interested in being a part of Shelf Indulgence, write to us!