Hello people!!
Today I’m going to be (kinda?) reviewing the brilliant My So Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma! First of all, I am so grateful to have read this book! As an Indian teen, there are not many YA books which represent my culture and those that exist often aren’t as popular/accessible as other books so being able to read this!! a book about an Indian teen!! is so freaking exciting!! I can’t wait to share the reasons why I loved this with you! Hopefully, the screaming stays to a minimum…
Also, no one at all asked but I want to post a list of some of my favourite Bollywood movies (inspired by this book!) so if you would want to read that, leave a comment and let me know!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher (Stripes Publishing) in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own and no one else’s.
My So Called Bollywood Lifeby Nisha Sharma// Winnie Mehta was never really convinced that Raj was her soulmate, but their love was written in the stars. Literally, a pandit predicted Winnie would find the love of her life before her 18th birthday, and Raj meets all of the qualifications. Which is why Winnie is shocked to return from her summer at film camp to find her boyfriend of three years hooking up with Jenny Dickens. Worse, Raj is crowned chair of the student film festival, a spot Winnie was counting on for her film school applications. As a self-proclaimed Bollywood expert, Winnie knows this is not how her perfect ending is scripted. (Read more at Goodreads)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
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Why I loved reading My So Called Bollywood Life:
I loved this book immensely (in case you couldn’t tell already??). Here are some reasons why!
1. At the start of every chapter, there is a mini-review of a Bollywood movie from Winnie’s blog
- and now I want to watch all of those movies??
- like honestly this is so creative!
- and the reviews also relate to the story/chapter
- which is sooo cool?!
- also there’s a list of the Nisha Sharma’s favourite Bollywood movies at the end so you have an abundance of movie recs!
2. The beginning is honestly iconic
- Winnie breaks into Raj’s (her cheating ex) house, sTEaLs his possessions and BURIES them in a grave
- I.C.O.N.I.C
- like seriously though
- nothing screams teenage madness more than this
- I mean I’ve done some crrrazy stuff when i want revenge you dON’T want to get on the wrong side of me… jk 😂 i’m a total marshmallow… or am i???
- so this is honestly 1005% relatable and so in character for her!
“According to Google, a grave was supposed to be 6 feet deep, but Winnie Mehta didn’t want to put that much effort into digging. Besides, it wasn’t like she was dumping an actual body or anything.”
3. Winnie’s passion for Bollywood shines throughout the book
- I love how much Winnie loves Bollywood!
- even though this is a romance, Winnie’s character has so much personality and ambitions and passion!
- she is in no way flat or 2-dimensional
- she wants to be a film critic (which isn’t a typical job) and she’s working hard to get it!
- and she isn’t changing her dreams for any guy!!
- I LOVE that she’s a strong, independent woman
4. Bridget a.k.a A TOTAL QUEEN is honestly amazing
- we STAN a brilliant supportive best friend
- Bridget and Winnie’s relationship is #goals
- she helped Winnie bury!! Raj’s!! stuff!!
- she was an amazing wing-woman when Winnie had to face Raj for the first-time after the break up
- Bridget loves Winnie’s culture!! She goes Indian clothes shopping with Winnie and attends poojas (prayers) wearing traditional clothes!
- like I don’t share much of my culture with my friends (partially because they’re white and it doesn’t really come up) so it must be so cool to have someone who knows about all of you and not just some parts of you?
- that’a lowkey confusing but Bridget is just awesome!!
- she also tells Winnie when she’s wrong!
- and I love how equal their friendship is!!
5. Winnie’s family is one of my favourites
- they’re not a perfect family but they are realistic!
- Winnie gets yelled at when she messes up but she is also supported
- they laugh together and have cute fluffy moments!! like the scene where they all watch a movie in the middle of the night!!
- but you do NOT want to mess with an Asian mum
- honestly when they get mad, it is on anOTHeR level
- I love how Winnie’s dad is by her side and wants Winnie to achieve her dreams
- he’s firm but also so supportive???
“Her dad had given up film school to marry her mom because of the prophecy. A part of her wanted to get into film school for him as well.”
6. Winnie Mehta’s grandmother is a treasure
- grandparents need to be protected at all costs… oKAY??
- also, I’m a total sucker for family relationships and this one is one of the cutest in the book
- i love how close they are
“Nani snorted. “You’re Indian! We live for romance. And when there is romance, there is passion.””
7. I love love LOVE all the Indian references
- is it a bit childish to say I get really excited when I see an Indian word or phrase??
- and when I understand it, i’m like yesssss
- and the mentions of clothes and music and actors!!!
- ahhhhh!!
- also all the food sounds so delicious?!
8. The DIVERSITY!
- WINNIE IS AN INDIAN MAIN CHARACTER!!
- and her family’s Indian! Raj is Indian! Dev is Indian!
- most of the important characters are Indian!
- (except Bridget, who I think? is white)
- but also this is an ownvoices book!!
- we can never have too many own voices in publishing!
- and i’m so here for all the diverse authors are that getting recognised in 2019!
9. It is so relatable
- Winnie has a lot of stuff going on in her life and she gets stressed!! out!!
- she’s busy with her college applications, blogging, school, tests, work, keeping her family happy, organising a film festival AND the whole love triangle
- the whole book is not just about the romance
- which is good because honestly who really has two guys fighting for them and the only thing they need to do is pick one??
10. It is such a cute fluffy read!
- this book doesn’t need much brainpower to read it!
- it’s a great book for when you need something lighthearted and sweet
- it’s cheesy!
- fun!
- a bit dramatic!
- basically you should all read it! unless you prefer hard-hitting books or those with more of a plot
Whew if you got through that, have some chocolate cake 🍫🍰! This is probably my longest review by far (1k words and counting!) but I loved writing it! If you decide to pick this up, tell me all your thoughts!! Or give another diverse book a go because bottom line, We Need More Diverse Books!
Chat with me! What are your thoughts on contemporaries? Do you think you’re going to read this? Any thoughts on this book or my (kinda) review? What have you been watching recently? Tell me anything!
Hugs!
Kerys xx
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The Everlasting Library 
I was….I have been seeing this book EVERYWHERE but I always thought MEH! abut OH MY GOSH, YOUR REVIEW!! 😍😍 First of all it’s soo fucking aesthetic that I just wanna sit and cry and admire its beauty!! 😍😍😍😍😭😭😭😭 And now the review…I AM DEFINITELY CONVINCED TO READ THE BOOK NOW..In fact, I just added it on my goodreads..because WHO CAN SAY NO WHEN A REVIEW IS SOO FUCKING BEAUTIFUL, huh? Also..you are right! There just aren’t enough books by Indian authors, the REALLY GOOD ONES, and we MUST CHERISH EVERY SINGLE ONE!
So yeah, thank youuuu for this great recommendation!! 😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Wonderful review, Kerys! Okay, I must admit, I had partially written off reading this book, but oh my goodness, I NEED to get my hands on it now, after reading this review! I love how passionate and excited you are about the story! ❤ The mini-reviews of Bollywood movies at the start of each chapter sound like such a cute touch, and that beginning scene sounds incredible! Haha!
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THIS POST IS MY HYPE SONG RIGHT NOW. I read it and I was literally like well, time to read My So Called Bollywood Life IMMEDIATELY. Straight up, I’m about to clear my TBR just to bump it up a little bit. It sounds so good and these reasons are gold???? I NEED.
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im so so so so happy you loved ‘my so called bollywood life’ and felt represented when you read it, that’s truly the greatest feeling! the beginning of the story was truly iconic and i just loved winnie’s passion and love and her character felt really genuine. raj was the worst thing about the book for me lol but overall it was such a sweet, lighthearted read and im so glad to hear that it meant so much to you 💖
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ahh thank you so much!! it is honestly an amazing feeling! I agree raj is wayyy too clingy and annoying. I’m really glad you enjoyed this too! 💛
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This book sounds so fun, and I’m glad you saw yourself represented in it! 😀 Realistic and relatable family dynamics are rare in books, and so exciting when you do find them. Great review!!
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Thank you! It’s a great feeling to be represented in something! Definitely and cute+realistic families always make a book 1026% better. Thank you so much for reading! 💛
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Kerys, this post was AMAZING ahh. I loved reading it so much!! I relate so much to the feeling of excitement when you read a phrase in native language and recognize it! also, when they mention food or something else that nobody else but the people who you share your culture with will understand, I love it. I loved reading your review so much, and I’m so happy that you enjoyed this book! It sounds so CUTE. and also relatable because Winnie’s a blogger too and blogging has become such a constant in my life. i must confess… i’ve never watched a Bollywood movie before though 🙈
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THANK YOU SO MUCH CAITLIN!! That genuinely means so much to me!! Isn’t it just so exciting?! I’m so glad you enjoyed my review!! If you do read this, tell me what you think! ooh… don’t worry (i don’t watch that many) but you should deffo give it a go! there’s loads with English subtitles (i need them or i get lost half way through 😂) Thank you for your lively comment! It honestly made my day! 💛
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this sounds so perfect I can’t wait to read it!
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This book ❤ ❤ ❤ I remember first reading it and absolutely LOVING IT… I may need to reread it soon
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AHHHHHHHHH this sounds amazing I LOVE revenge stories. Burying someone’s possessions is something I would do. 100%
AHhhhhHHH great review aahhhHhhHhhH
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I’m glad you enjoyed this so much. I hadn’t heard of it before but it sounds interesting and I really need to start reading more contemporary books. Plus I love the sound of the mini reviews at the start of each chapter I love it when books throw in things like that.
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I never get tired talking about this amazing book, so it’s awesome to see you love it as much too 😍😍😍 Absolutely wonderful review…. Very in line with the book itself… 👍👍
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