MONDAY MORNINGS DONE RIGHT AND OTHER STORIES BY SHRADDHA RANE (2020)

Do I have many reasons to smile? 

As I seek control over the whirlwind of my

mind,

It’s easy to spot what is lacking in life

And forget the joys that gave me memorable

times.

Do I have many reasons to smile?

When I strive hard to make most out of life,

Yet behind the curtain when soft words

chime,

They embrace me with love and kindness

every time!

Do I have many reasons to smile,

Maybe I’ll find them in fleeting moments of my life. 

-Reasons to Smile by Navya Kapoor  

Sometimes we get so busy with our lives that we end up forgetting about the hundreds of smaller, yet meaningful moments of kindness, comfort, curiosity and humour that can be found around us. But such moments can only be experienced once people decide to truly live with their surroundings. Whether it is about making friends in a new city, confronting irrational fear of lizards, enjoying an episode of your favourite TV series or relishing your favourite comfort food after a hard day at work, some experiences resonate with everyone. And honestly, that’s where the true magic of Shradda Rane’s collection of short stories really lies. 

The narrator of this story, a young woman, navigates the many highs and lows of moving to the vibrant city of Pune for a promising job in the IT sector as she connects with like-minded people and learns new things about herself, her family and friends. 

While most short stories and novellas I’ve read tend to rely on more dramatic hooks to keep readers invested, Rane takes inspiration from personal experiences to tell slice-of-life stories to emphasise the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world to reflect on lessons learned through fleeting interactions with family, friends and even strangers.  

A lot of the stories, including The Day I Forgot My Earrings, A Small Act of Kindness, Fast-Day, and When I Took Over The Kitchen, deeply resonated with me as they beautifully dealt with the themes of navigating self-growth, resilience of mothers and being grateful to the ones who make our lives easy. 

If you are someone who likes reading cozy slice-of-life stories, but don’t want to commit to a 300-page book, then Shraddha Rane’s Monday Mornings and Other Short Stories can become the next title on your TBR list!

Oh, and Happy Women’s Day, everyone!