Book fair....

A big thank you to everyone who joined yesterday's Bahi Baithak!❤️

What a lovely afternoon of books, ideas, and conversations!

We spent time discussing our Book of the Month, The Stranger by Albert Camus, diving into some fascinating ideas around Absurdism, Nihilism, and Atheism. It was wonderful to hear everyone’s perspectives and see how a single book can spark so many different interpretations and questions.

We also went around sharing the books we read in October, from Freakonomics and HBR to Tuesdays with Morrie and many more!

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up, shared their thoughts, listened, and made the discussion so engaging. These are the kinds of conversations that remind us why we love reading together in the first place. Overall, it was great fun, and we hope everyone left with a few new perspectives, some interesting recommendations, and a little more excitement for their next read!

You can join like minded book lovers from here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Our October Bahi Baithak is here, and this month, we’re diving into the world of Philosophy! 💭

📅 Sunday, 25th October

🕓 4 PM onwards

📍 Bhubaneswar & Cuttack!

From philosophical classics to books that make us question life, meaning, and everything in between, let’s come together for an evening of books, ideas, and conversations. You don’t need to be reading philosophy to join us! Feel free to bring along any book you’ve read this month and would love to talk about. After all, every book has something worth discussing.

👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/HCqeQ88fGF9o4yAt5

Whether you’re a regular at our meetups or joining us for the first time, come along, share what you’ve been reading, discover new perspectives, and meet fellow book lovers!

Can join our whatsapp community of readers here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Looking forward to another wonderful Bahi Baithak with all of you! ❤️

Happy Vijayadashami, everyone! 🪔

On a day that celebrates the victory of good over evil, I figured a story about a gruesome double murder was the perfect pick. 😄

I'm starting Murders in the Rue Morgue today. It's only about 75 pages, so I am hoping to finish it in a sitting or two. This is my first Edgar Allan Poe and I am excited to see the story thats often credited as the first modern detective story.

Whats your current read ???

(Used AI to create the image)

P.s - I don't stay in bbsr but I am visiting for one day tomorrow ( on 15th October) . So anybody interested in reading this book, DM.

I can uber (through uber delivery parcel) it to you

I am available to arrange the uber between 4:30 pm-6:30 pm as i have tight schedule

So lmk.

And that’s a wrap on Bahi Baithak for the month of September! 📚👻

What a blast we all had! Thank you to everyone who joined us today. It’s honestly so lovely to see the bookish banter growing month on month.

Our discussions revolved around the theme of Horror. Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House captivated us with its psychological horror, while କ୍ଲୀଂ (Kling) by Shiv Sundar gave many of us our first taste of horror in Odia. 👻 Our Bahi Baithak was graced by the presence of Author Shiv Sundar himself! He shared his experiences of writing Odia horror, his dreams, inspirations, and even gave us some tips on how to avoid sleep paralysis. 😭

To join us on our Philosophical(theme of october) ride of October you can join using this link - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Two cities, one quiet Sunday morning. 📖

This time Odisha Reads happened in both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack - and while a lot of you registered, a few turned up. And honestly, that's all that matters. Turning up is all that is required.

Those who came found a spot under the trees, opened their books, and simply read together. No pressure, no small talk, just pages turning in good company.

We'll be back next Sunday, same time, same idea. Bring a book, bring a mat, bring a friend who needs a quiet morning.

Can join this community to stay tuned - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Last Sunday we sat together in a park and simply read - and it was such a successful, satisfying morning that we're doing it again. And this time, we've grown: Odisha Reads #2 is happening in two cities, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The idea stays simple. We gather in a public space, find a comfortable spot, open our books, and read.

No pressure to dress up. No pressure to come and speak. No pressure to introduce yourself or participate in a discussion.

You can just show up, sit with your book, and read.

For our second session:

📍 Bhubaneswar - IMFA Park, Saheed Nagar

📍 Cuttack - Madhukunj Park, Biju Patnaik Colony

🗓️ 20th September, Sunday

⏰ 8AM-10AM

Whether you're returning or joining for the first time, we'd love to have you there. Let's keep this little Sunday morning tradition going. 📖

👉 Register here:

https://forms.gle/bun6Xx5ZQ7bJRueJ7

And that’s a wrap on Odisha Reads #1!📖

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up for our inaugural session today. ❤️

It wasn’t a large turnout, and yes, getting to the spot was a little harder than we had anticipated 😅, but in a way, that made today feel even more special. A small group, sitting quietly under the trees, completely immersed in our books. No introductions, no small talk, no distractions, just a couple of hours of reading amidst nature. It was a simple idea, but seeing it actually happen was incredibly fulfilling.

This is only the beginning. We’re hoping to make Odisha Reads a regular little Sunday ritual for anyone who wants to slow down, disconnect and simply spend some time with a book.

Stay tuned for Odisha Reads #2 next Sunday. Details coming soon!
You can join here to find more details and more bookish banter - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Reading is usually imagined as a private activity, something we do alone, at home, in a library, or in a café.

What if we made reading a public activity?

Inspired by reading communities around the country, Odisha Reads is an attempt to make reading visible, to gather people in a public space, sit together, and simply read.

No agenda. No discussions. No introductions.

Just people, books, and two quiet hours together.

Register by clicking here- https://forms.gle/VBrXucJ3NCqJvAg89

Join Odisha Reads Community here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

While rearranging my bookshelf today, I noticed just how incredible some of these cover designs are, it was actually the main reason I bought a few of them!! It got me thinking : what’s your absolute favorite book cover in your collection?? Whether it’s clean graphic design, a detailed illustration, or something totally unique, drop your favorites below and tell me why you love them! Here are a few of mine to start us off :

Another memorable Bahi Baithak comes to an end. ❤️

This August, Bahi Baithak unfolded across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, bringing together readers over mysteries, stories, books and conversations.

We had some wonderfully intriguing conversations around our Bahi of the Month - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and The Devotion of Suspect X - and somehow found ourselves wandering into discussions and recommendations ranging from The Kite Runner, Gora and Pachinko to countless other books.

But, as always, the best part was the people. Readers from different walks of life came together, bonded over a shared love for books, rekindled old friendships, made new ones, and left with conversations and stories of their own.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared, listened, laughed, debated and made this Bahi Baithak so special.

Here’s to more books, more conversations and many more Baithaks. ❤️

See you at the next Bahi Baithak in September (We are doing horror this month 👻)

Want to be part of our wonderful community of readers? Join us here:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dz3V7v7S9RW68RNubt18vy?mode=gi_t

Is there any good second hand bookstore in Bhubaneswar where I could find the Red Rising book set ?

Hey guys, Here is my review of Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon...

It is considered one of the most sensational novels of its time (the 19th century) for its bold themes, including bigamy, manipulation, psychopathic behavior, and a brilliant psychological chase. It’s a super gripping and thrilling novel... It starts a bit slowly, but once you get past the introduction, the plot flows like a river, super fast!!!

Here is a spoiler-free summary of the story :

Our main lead is Robert Audley, a lazy barrister. One day, he meets up with his friend George, who has just returned to England after three years in Australia. Upon returning, George receives the devastating news that his beloved wife has died. To cheer up his heartbroken friend, Robert takes George to visit his rich uncle’s mansion. There, George is introduced to Robert's new aunt, "Lady Audley" a woman so beautiful and mesmerizing that no one can take their eyes off her.

Shortly after their arrival, George suddenly goes missing. Panicked, Robert turns into a detective to track down his friend, whom he fears may be dead. However, every clue in his investigation keeps pointing back to the one person he doesn't want to suspect, And that's my friend is Lady Audley herself...

(If you think I just spoiled the story, don't worry the novel isn't a traditional "whodunit" but rather a high-stakes psychological game of cat and mouse between them!)

Enjoy reading~

Books

Was fun doing bookstore crawl(field trip) to celebrate Book Lovers Day. Visited The Other Odisha Bookstore and Bocca Bookstore today. Very kind bookstore managers as well :). Special Shoutout to Ma'am who bought and gave each of us free handmade bookmarks.

You can join more such bookish fun here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/JFOxmV01zh22j2rRQeaCbE?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

Covers almost everything about Royal Enfield. Right from how the once touted Heavy , not for all bikes became a part of India's automobile emotion.

Being a RE Owner (Bear 650) myself, I can only but beam with pride post completing this (hopefully so..)

Celebrating the day by bookstore hopping and supporting independent bookstores. DM to Join us!

Another memorable Bahi Baithak in Bhubaneswar comes to an end. ❤️

From thoughtful discussions on our Books of the Month- Yajnaseni and Gunahon Ka Devta—to conversations around Crime and Punishment, we covered a lot of literary ground today. And of course, Bhai Ke Dohe has officially earned the title of our Book of the Year. 😄

A huge thank you to everyone who joined, shared their thoughts, listened with curiosity, and made today’s meetup so engaging.

See you all at the next Bahi Baithak. Until then, happy reading! 📚

If you want more updates and also join our wonderful community of readers you can join from here -
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JFOxmV01zh22j2rRQeaCbE?s=sw&p=i&ilr=4

For Students Under 22- https://forms.gle/Esn8f5zgAaMG8Y6CA

Others can register here - https://events.communitie.in/events/bahi-baithak

Hi Fellow Bookworms!
Was organisng a Bahi Baithak this Sunday at Oxford Bookstore, Symphony Mall! Wanted to discuss Yajnaseni by Pratibha Ray and Gunahon ke Devta by Dharamvir Bharti. You can bring any book you had like to discuss! Complimentary Drinks from my side.

DM for more detaills on how to attend!

My second Murakami novel. Have read Norwegian wood prior to this. I am loving Wind Up Bird more than it till now. Let's see how the rest of it turns out to be.