Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

"Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows" is a book that takes many unexpected turns to create a beautiful story. On the surface, it is the story of our protagonist Nikki teaching a writing class for widows at a Sikh temple in Southall (west London) and Nikki reentering the Sikh community that she has tried so hard to distance herself from. But things get a little more complicated when she realizes that this class she is supposed to teach isn't exactly what she thought it would be. As Nikki gets more involved in the lives of her students she discovers the dark secrets being kept by this community she is rejoining and she becomes determined to find answers.

This book was lovely and hilarious, I understand why Reese Witherspoon chose it to be a part of her book club. I was almost late to work the day I finished it because I couldn't stop reading when I was so close to the end. This book just makes me so happy. I loved meeting and coming to love each character, and each character felt like a real person. "Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows" is a story of community and while I don't have experience with the Sikh community, I could still relate to the story. The work that Balli Kaur Jaswal did in this novel is a beautiful reminder that we don't have to be like people to understand them and to love them.

This is a book I would definitely recommend! And don't let the title fool you: this book isn't nearly as graphic as it would suggest.

XO, Ellen