Link to this episode in the new The Shameless Book Club feed: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cnR7JPXfbdZegoCkKcsVW?si=11875c1abc114a6e

Hey, book club besties!

This month, we read the incredible debut novel by Alka Joshi titled the Henna Artist. Following protagonist Lakshmi - one of Jaipur’s most in-demand Henna Artists - the novel tells the story of a woman running away from her past in 1950s India in order to forge her own path. But of course, there’s only so far she can run before her ex-husband and a sister she didn’t know existed turn up on her doorstep. So, does their arrival mark the beginning of the end for Lakshmi’s new life? It’s a story about freedom of choice, domestic abuse, and arranged marriage, and boy was it a riveting read.

Today on the show, Mich, Zara, and Annabelle chat about the book’s exploration of the female experience in India during the 1950s, standout characters, and plot twist execution.

Got some thoughts on our November pick, ‘In Order To Live’ by Yeonmi Park? We’re allllll ears (also, eyes, heads, bodies, etc etc) - join in the convo over on our Insta, @theshamelessbookclub. Or, if you’re after some variety, here’s a link to record a voice message via our website, too.

Big thanks to Häagen-Dazs for making this episode possible. If you want to try Häagen-Dazs DUO ice cream collection for yourself, head to your local Coles, Woolies and select IGA stores.

You can browse the eBook and audiobook versions of past book club picks in our room on Apple Books! Have a look-see right here. (You might spot our little baby, The Space Between, in the mix there, too.)

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