Blog - Booked4Books

21 Oct

The Glamour of Gloom: How Gothic Romance Makes Misery Look Good

Neelakshi Singh0 CommentsArticlesGothic Romance

Here, sadness is a whole mood. It’s as if the characters woke up one morning and said, “You know what would really spice up my love life? A bit of emotional torment.” But why do these books make misery look so… well, attractive? Is it just to up the drama, or do they actually believe that the path to true love has to include a few sleepless nights and some dramatic hair? You’ve seen it: the looks, the moonlit strolls through the cemetery, the mystery lover who may or may not be a vampire. But have you ever wondered if…

16 Oct

Crazy, Dangerous Love – The ‘Romantic’ World of Yandere

Pranjali Wakde0 CommentsArticlesBell, Delusional yandere, Higurashi When They Cry, Sweetest Monster, World of Yandere

Imagine a person who is so in love with you that they can manipulate, bruise, and even kill people… for you. But they weren’t psychopaths since the start – it’s their love for you that makes them controlling, obsessive, and batshit crazy. If this happens in real life, that person will have cuffs slapped on their wrist the moment they act dangerous. But when it happens in books? Well, that’s called Yandere romance. This romance is one of the many Dere types, a Japanese concept that describes different character archetypes of people acting around their love interest. As readers have…

05 Oct

Trendsetters or Trend Chasers: Who Really Rules the Book World?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesFOMO effect, The Hunger Games, Twilight

Ever feel like you're being led on a treasure hunt, but the treasure is a never-ending series of love triangles and dystopian societies? Yeah, you’re not alone. The question of whether fiction trends are shaped by what readers crave or if we're just following the shiny, publisher-designed breadcrumbs is like trying to figure out if the chicken or the egg came first—but with a lot more glittery vampires and tortured bad boys. So, tighten the seatbelts, dear reader, as we dive into the conspiracy that is the publishing industry, where the lines between what you want and what you’re given…

01 Oct

From Draft to Bestseller: What Are Effective Strategies to Market Your Books?

Pranjali WakdeArticlesMarket Your Books

With many authors choosing self-publishing over the traditional approach, the need for marketing has become more important now than ever. Sure, your novel has the best story you’ve ever read (or, if you’re the self-deprecating writer, a good story). But the readers will only be excited to pick up your book if there’s palpable excitement around it. The only way to do that? Effective book marketing. Writing and Marketing – The Double-Edged Sword of Book Publishing In today’s world, where everything is rated and reviewed, writing a book and hoping the readers will pick up isn’t enough. You must…

25 Sep

Graphic Novels: Serious Literature or Just Entertainment?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesGraphic Novels

If you think graphic novels are just fancy picture books, brace yourself — we’re about to see why they deserve a heck of a lot more respect. Let’s be real, the whole "comics aren’t cool" vibe is kind of a relic, right? Like, are we still stuck in the 1950s when comic book fans were nerds hiding their Batman stash under their beds? (Pffft, give me a break.) And I know some people out there still think graphic novels are nothing but superhero capes, pow-bam-boom action, and simplistic plots. Spoiler alert: you're wrong. Graphic novels have evolved into an art…

24 Sep

Revenge in Books: Catharsis or Harm?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesCatharsis or Harm

You know you probably shouldn’t be rooting for the hero to go full “scorched earth” on their enemies, but when they do... oh, does it feel good. The whole revenge plot is like that irresistible junk food: satisfying in the moment but leaving you wondering if you’ve just fed your darker instincts. From classics like The Count of Monte Cristo to modern hits like The Boys, revenge tales often have us cheering from the sidelines, wanting the villain to get their well-deserved comeuppance. But hold up! Just because it feels cathartic doesn’t mean it’s without consequences. The real question is:…

21 Sep

From Classics to Marvel: Can We Appreciate the Art Despite the Artist?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesFrom Classics to Marvel

Let's say, You’re halfway through a novel, completely gone, when suddenly you come across a headline announcing that the author has been caught in a major controversy. You pause, book in hand, and think: "Can I still enjoy this book knowing what I know now?" It’s a modern dilemma, isn’t it? Literature and controversy seem to walk hand in hand these days, and with every new revelation, we’re asked to re-evaluate how we engage with art. Now, if you’re someone who likes to dip in a little Stoicism—a philosophy centered around self-improvement, emotional control, and clear-headed thinking—you might already have…

20 Sep

Girl Talk is a book about women, by a woman and for women: Anuja Chandramaouli

Booked4Books NetworkInterviewAnuja Chandramaouli, Girl Talk, It's my life - Bon Jovi, Lose Yourself - Eminem, Speechless - Naomi Scott, Unforgiven - Metallica

At Booked4Books, we love getting deep into the stories behind the stories, so when we had the chance to chat with Anuja Chandramouli, the mind behind Girl Talk, we couldn’t resist. In this email exchange, we explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative process that brought Girl Talk to life. From conversations with friends to the books and shows that influenced the story, we saw how this bold, hilarious, and sometimes intense exploration of female friendships and messy love took shape. Without any more waiting, here's Anuja giving us an insider's look at what makes Girl Talk so special! B4B-…

18 Sep

Twisted Thursday: Your Thrillers Fix

Neelakshi SinghArticlesTwisted Thursday

If there's one thing I love more than a cozy night of reading, it’s a book that keeps me guessing until my brain feels like an active psych ward. You know the ones—those psychological thrillers that mess with your head, flip your expectations upside down, and leave you staring at the last page, wondering what just happened. These are the books that make you question everything, including your ability to tell on even the most obvious plot twists. Trust me, I’ve fallen for every single one of these—and absolutely loved every minute of it. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:…

13 Sep

Typing in the Time of Outrage: Does Cancel Culture Hinder Creativity

Neelakshi SinghArticlesCulture Hinder Creativity

Ah, cancel culture. The modern audience haunting the dreams of writers everywhere. Once upon a time, an author's greatest concern was whether their book would make it onto the bestseller list or if a few grumpy critics would put them in the book review section. Now, however, there’s a new, infinitely more terrifying question keeping writers up at night: “Will I get canceled?” And if so, “Will I get canceled before or after I finish my next novel?” Cancel culture—this phenomenon where an individual is publicly shamed and ostracized for offensive or controversial opinions, behaviors, or works—seems to have set…