Bookshelf Insta

I'm going to start posting book, movie and TV shows reviews more. I'm started sharing my bookshelf on Instagram : natashasamanireads. Follow me! 

Also keeping my eyes open for new books! Good opportunity to visit bookstores nearby or in a new city. Let me know if you know of any. Oh Wow! I just found out that Higginbothams is back! Time to visit their Bangalore store!

I've started maintaining a diary, let's sync up after 10 years to find out how's it going!?!

Can you believe that I've not read Wuthering Heights? I've just ordered a copy! Excited for the movie in February!

Gold, Silver, Diamond

I'm planning a vacation after a hectic work year and decided to stay at the JW Marriott, Bangalore. Since I used to work for Delta Skymiles program, I have some insight into hotel loyalty programs. Hoping to reach Silver Status with Marriott! This means at least a few more vacations at luxury hotels in India! Such a fun start to the New Year! Bring on 2026!

Macy's

Just found out that Macy's ships to India! The Taxes are high, but Macy's is one of my favorite department stores! Can't wait to make my first purchase! 

                                                          

Cathedral of the Madeline

Today is July 22'nd and is the Feast of Mary Magdalene! https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2025-07-22

One of my favorite Cathedrals is the Cathedral of the Madeline in Salt Lake City, Utah. On the Feast Day they have a lovely meal of Fried Chicken! I've spent many a few Sundays and evenings here just contemplating. Lovely place to visit if you're in the area. 

Was browsing through my emails after a long gap and saw that Burning Man is back =)! Would have loved to visit when I lived in America!

The New Yorker

Just finished reading this weeks issue of The New Yorker! I have a special relationship with the New Yorker, I have been subscribing since my Alabama days...... most years I have piles of New Yorker magazines lying unread around my apartment somewhere, along with books and compilations by David Remnick, Malcolm Gladwell. I even follow contributor Mark Harris on Twitter. Since I've moved back to India I can only afford the online edition, which I surprisingly completed over this weekend. You can see the influence of the New Yorker in the culture of the early 2000's, movies, fashion et al.

 I have to say I have had a fascination with Eustace Tilley (the mascot) for a while now. I cannot believe that he is not a real person. Having lived in my apartment for so long, I'm sure his spirit lives around me. A good first issue to get back to... now to continue my New Yorker and New York Times subscription (in India) along with Harvard Business Review! 

This is a picture of me reading a New Yorker book Wonder Town at an Israeli restaurant in Greenwich Village? circa 2010 

Here's some new music from the New Yorker Selection Junk Drawer Heart by Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse :

Check out this new video by Malcolm Gladwell and IBM!

Natasha Bedingfield is Back!

I've liked Natasha Bedingfield since the beginning, especially since we share the same first name. Hope I get to attend one of her concerts!

Here's her interview on Forbes and her songs Unwritten and These Words. So Natasha's having a resurgence on TikTok with content creators?

Starbucks Mugs

I have been collecting Starbucks City Mugs since I was in the US. ☕️🗺 It's a nice momento to collect while traveling. I've started collecting them here in India. A few mugs and ornaments were gifted to me by my sister and a few I picked up right here in Mangalore. I'm looking forward to adding more to my collection. 

Superman turns Punk!

I'm a huge Superman fan, so I'm happy that Superman turned Punk for this movie! That having been said this movie was a little difficult to watch in places. If you can make it through the cringey parts. You can actually see the punk. Punk Rock Forever!! Kryptonite!! Yeah!