Category: Personal

Part 3 of our summer vacation to Lolaygaon

On day 3 of our vacation, we visited the Cactus nursery (Pine nursery) followed by a trip to the Durpin monastery and Durpin Dara view point. It was late afternoon by the time we finished lunch and it started drizzling when we started for Lolaygaon. The picturesque view during this road trip amidst the cloudy, foggy and rainy weather led to a surreal experience.

Here are a few more snippets (Part 3) of our recent trip to Kalimpong, Lava, Lolaygaon and Deolo.

https://youtube.com/shorts/wRPEV5qvyZY

My blog reaches readers of 150+ countries

I started blogging in Sep 2017 when I was seriously considering switching careers from banking to writing after moving cities. 8+ years later, soniasmusings.com is still going strong and my articles are ready by people from 150+ countries.

It took me a moment of faith to take this leap and today I look back at my journey as an author with heartfelt gratitude and satisfaction. Thank you, WordPress, for the stats.

Visiting the Kolkata Book Fair 2026 as an author for the second year

Yesterday was my second year as an author at the International Kolkata Book Fair 2026. I visited the Sristhi Publishers Stall (E-94) where I signed copies of my non-fiction book ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ and interacted with a few readers.

Moments of book signing at the Sristhi Publishers Stall E-94

The next stop was at the Storyteller Stall (E-95), where I signed copies of both my books – the detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ featuring Raya Ray and the true crime story ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’.

With Sunil of Storytelling Bookstore Stall E-95

Met and chatted with some of my fellow authors. It was heartwarming to see a few readers who have read all my books drop in to say hi and enquire about what I am writing next.

Holding both my books as I speak about them

Team Storyteller captured my journey as an author where I also spoke about both my books, about those who have been my pillars of support in this journey and my thoughts about Kolkata Book Fair this year. The reel is available to view on my Insta page.

With Mayura – the owner of Storyteller

Heartfelt gratitude to all my readers, my publishers – Sristhi Publishers and Vishwakarma Publishers, my literary agency – The Book Bakers, and Storyteller Bookstore team.

With Sumit of Sristhi Publishers

Signed copies of both the books are available at E-94 and E-95 (both stalls are near Gate no 2). So, go get your copy now and don’t forget to send me a picture.

With the kid who makes me want to write more books so that he can keep reading them while growing up

Happy Saraswati Pujo 2026

2026 didn’t begin on a good note for me. All I’ve dealt with is sickness and missed opportunities. Three days back, it didn’t look like I could even sit through Saraswati Pujo this year.

But by God’s grace and my husband’s efficient treatment, I could at least be a part of the pujo.

Baba took up the responsibility of planning and executing it. He had his assistant, my son for support. It’s become their annual ritual over the years and it feels surreal to see them work in sync with each other.

May Ma Saraswati bless us all with knowledge and wisdom.

Bidding goodbye to 2025 and welcoming 2026

Bidding goodbye to 2025 with gratitude and a sense of fulfillment in my heart. I had an amazing beginning with the launch of my first non-fiction ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’, the book that ended up getting shortlisted for multiple awards. My detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’, also nominated for a couple of awards, was loved and rated high by the readers. It was my first time as an author at the Kolkata Book Fair and getting featured on a newspaper article. Book signings at stores and airports, book launches, book readings, and author sessions for both my books made it an eventful year. Meeting my publisher Arup and my literary agent Suhail are moments forever etched in my memory. The mini vacation to Mandarmani and Taki gave us the much needed getaways. The kid made us proud with his academic awards and extracurricular performances. Our annual vacation to Dooars/Chalsa followed by a trip to Kochi was rejuvenating and professionally satisfying. Meeting Kolkata authors and catching up with a few close old friends led to some wonderful moments. I’m blessed to end this year with a trip to the land of Lord Jagannath – Puri, where my whole family could offer prayers and seek blessings of the Almighty.

Looking forward to a productive, satisfying, peaceful, joyful, successful and creative 2026 engulfed by the love of my family and blessings of God.

Kolkata Authors Meet Up on 14/12/25

What happens when a bunch of Kolkata based authors decide to meet at Peter Cat on a Sunday afternoon? Food, fun and adda. That’s what yesterday was about as I met up with some familiar and some new faces over chelo kebabs and cups of coffee.

Food and coffee

A quick trip to Oxford Bookstores to surprise Kolkata Bookworms where they were celebrating their third anniversary followed. This group is close to my heart for the role it played in my journey as an author until now. All my good wishes to this vibrant group of young readers.

Here’s a glimpse of the meet-up:

https://youtube.com/shorts/g-2NJoiN_kg