The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan- A spoiler free Review by Muhammad Raza

 The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan- A spoiler free Review

The Bonesetter’s Daughter, a book about a young girl trying her hardest to understand her mother and her complicated past, is one of the most passionate and rich books that I have read in quite some time. While the plot may seem surface level–being one of a daughter attempting to care for her misunderstood mother–Tan does an amazing job at putting the reader through roller coasters of emotions in almost every moment. Despite being slow-paced and somewhat overly-detailed at a few moments, I believe that The Bonesetter’s Daughter is a book that anyone who loves deep characterization and emotional tugging should read.

The first thing that Tan does to make this book so spell-binding is taking time to characterize all the different people in the story. She often portrays the consequences of certain characters' upbringing through their actions, often-time giving the reader an overall negative first impression of the character. However, she follows this curt introduction with a deep dive into how that character came to be so mean, so rude, or so paranoid. This not only helps the reader better understand and empathize with the person, but also displays the crucial theme of not judging someone merely through your interactions with them. Tan also makes amazing use of flashbacks in this book: she consistently interweaves scenes from the the protagonist's childhood into relevant situations in her contemporary life, which not only aid in characterization but also spell-bind the reader into wanting to find out what happens next (both in the flashback and the current time). Lastly, Tan does a splendid job of portraying the rich cultural history of Chinese villages throughout her story. While scenes in which culture is a major component are often quite dense and at times perplexing due to esoteric terms or traditions, the book as a whole leaves the reader of an amazing understanding of what life was like in rapidly-changing China throughout the latter half of the 20th century. As a result of this exposure to new culture, deep characterization and vivid flashbacks, Tan's novel is, in my opinion, a must read for those beginning to enter the realm of more sophisticated or nuanced literature as well as those who want to have their heartstrings tugged on as they bounce between two different time periods.

Why You Should Read by Muhammad Raza

 Why You Should Read

Summer is an exciting time for all the students–we enjoy monumental amounts of free time, we can play outside all day long, and enjoy all our favorite summer foods and desserts. However, one aspect of summer (and perhaps the one thing that many dislike about the season) that has remained constant for as long as I can remember is summer reading. Schools assign mandatory reading to many, if not, all of their students over the course of the summer so that they maintain their comprehension skills while preparing for the upcoming school year. Many students see this as a chore, and are only motivated to open up a book when the duress of a looming assignment or upcoming exam presses them to do so. However, this summer through such assignments, I have rekindled my love of reading and have firsthand seen the positive effects that come from it.

The first positive effect that I have recognized through reading is the amount of exposure you get to new ideas. I am currently reading The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan, and the book has introduced me to so many aspects of ancient Chinese Culture and the practices of those living in rural cities and villages of the time. From specific superstitions and beliefs to rituals and signs, the book has taught me a magnitude of information about the culture that I never would have learned without it or if I had researched on my own from outside sources. In short, the more books you read, the more exposure you get, which contributes to you becoming a more nuanced and knowledgeable person. 

Another positive effect that I have observed from reading is the increase in my vocabulary. While doing my summer reading for different novels, I frequently come across words that I am unfamiliar with and have to look up the definition for. As such, my vocabulary directly improves and broadens the more I read, which is not only helpful in being able to read more books but also in an array of real life situations.

The last (and possibly greatest) aspect of reading that I have recognized this summer is that it gives me pleasure and entertainment in a constructive form. Almost all of my entertainment and hobbies (with the exception of exercise) revolve around technology. From scrolling through Instagram on my phone to playing video games on my desktop, it feels like the only thing that I can entertain myself with is sitting in front of a screen. Books provide a much needed break to me from this attachment to technology that I have developed, and entertain me in a way that is undoubtedly beneficial to my growth. This has made me realize that reading is not merely something that one does to gain information or to get points on an exam, but one that can provide loads of fun and entertainment to those who actively engage in it. All in all, this summer has shown me the amazing benefits that reading has, and I think that you should start reading too.

How I Balance School, Badminton, and Life by Parnika Thakare

 How I Balance School, Badminton, and Life

by Parnika Thakare 

Honestly trying to balance school, badminton, and everything else in life gets really hectic

sometimes. I’ve been playing badminton professionally for years, so it’s not just a hobby—it’s

part of my daily routine and because of it I also have to do fitness. Add school, tests,

homework, and just normal life stuff on top, and it can definitely get overwhelming. I used to

stress a lot about getting everything done perfectly, but I have recently realized that balance

isn’t about doing it all at once. It’s about figuring out what needs your energy right now and

prioritizing things at the right time. I mean it's just my experience and not necessarily right,

but it did help me a lot.

One thing that really helps me is planning ahead—nothing fancy, just a to-do list or

reminders on my phone. If I know I have a tournament coming up, I’ll try to finish my

assignments and school work earlier or use travel time to finish it. Some days, badminton

takes up more space; other days, school does. It depends. I even joined my schools track

team for a season and it was super exhausting but I love trying new things so...other than

that I’ve also learned to ask for help when I need it, whether it’s from teachers or family,

although I try to avoid it. And if I miss a day or fall behind a bit, I try not to beat myself up

over it (though I do can’t help it😭)

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that rest matters too. Without rest I used to just feel sleepy

and exhausted the whole day which did affect my studies too. So, I make sure to give myself

breaks—whether that’s doing art, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, or

just doing nothing for a bit. I’m still figuring it all out, but I’ve found that balancing school,

badminton, and life is possible if you take it day by day ,be organized, prioritise things and

don’t forget to breathe.

When My Heart Betrayed Me By: Anushka Bhatt

 

When My Heart Betrayed Me

By: Anushka Bhatt

It started like pressure —

not pain,

just a weight

pressing into my chest

like a warning I didn’t understand.

Then came the sweat,

cold and sharp.

My arm went numb.

My breath, trapped.

Like my body forgot how to be alive.

My heart stuttered,

skipped,

panicked.

Sirens.

Flashing lights.

A monitor beeping

like it was counting down something

I wasn’t ready to lose.

I never thought it could happen to me.

But hearts don’t ask permission

before they break.

Room 407 By: Anushka Bhatt

 

Room 407

By: Anushka Bhatt

The ER was freezing.

Sofia’s mom wrapped her in a hoodie, but it didn’t help. Her stomach still burned, and the nausea hadn’t gone away for days. They had tried urgent care, but they said she needed a specialist. The specialist said they didn’t take her insurance.

So now they were here. Room 407. Sixth hour waiting.

Sofia was tired of being told to “just drink water” or “it’s probably anxiety.” No one ever seemed to listen. It was like being invisible — a patient on paper, not a person.

A nurse finally walked in. “Sorry for the wait. The doctor’s doing his rounds.”

Sofia nodded. What else could she do?

But then something small changed. The nurse sat down. “Hey. I know this has been frustrating. I’ve seen a lot of patients come through here who get brushed off, especially young women. Just know — you’re not imagining this. We’ll figure it out. You're not crazy.”

Sofia didn’t expect tears, but they came.

Sometimes the difference isn’t a miracle cure. It’s someone who treats you like you matter.

Room 407 still had flickering lights and stiff hospital beds. But that nurse? She reminded Sofia that even in broken systems, there are people who care — and that’s sometimes what helps you hang on.

The Sleep-Deprived Teen Epidemic: Why Your All-Nighters Are Hurting More Than Your GPA By: Anushka Bhatt

 

The Sleep-Deprived Teen Epidemic: Why Your All-Nighters Are Hurting More Than Your GPA

By: Anushka Bhatt

Let’s be honest: when was the last time you got 8 full hours of sleep? No, scrolling on TikTok until 2 a.m. and crashing doesn’t count.

If you’re like most teens, you’re running on caffeine, deadlines, and vibes. But did you know that sleep deprivation actually affects your mood, memory, immune system, and even your mental health?

According to the CDC, teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep a night, but most of us are barely hitting 6. That’s a problem. Not just because we’re tired — but because our brains are still developing. Sleep is when our brains literally file memories, repair stress damage, and help regulate emotion.

Lack of sleep has been directly linked to:

• Increased risk of depression and anxiety
  
  

• Poor academic performance
  
  

• Mood swings and irritability
  
  

• Increased risk-taking behavior (yes, even that dumb decision you made last weekend)
  
  

Want to fix it? Start with one small change:

• Power down screens 30 min before bed
  
  

• Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time daily
  
  

• Skip energy drinks — they wreck your sleep cycle
  
  

Better sleep = better mood, clearer thinking, and more energy for literally everything. You deserve rest. Your brain does too.
(Source: CDC - Teens and Sleep)

The Group Chat By: Anushka Bhatt

 

The Group Chat

By: Anushka Bhatt

Everyone thought Maya had it together.

She was the funny one. The group chat always lit up when she joined — random memes, song recs, inside jokes from lunch. She got good grades, posted aesthetic study pics, and showed up to every hangout with a smile.

But no one saw what happened after she logged off.

They didn’t see the nights where she lay awake, her heart racing for no reason. Or how she deleted messages five times before sending them, afraid of being “too much.” They didn’t hear the thoughts that whispered, You’re not actually anyone’s favorite.

One night, after an especially bad panic attack, Maya typed something she never had before.

Maya: “Hey, can I be real for a sec? I’ve been feeling super anxious lately. Like...all the time. It’s exhausting.”

She stared at the message.

Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Appeared again.

Her hands shook.

Then it came.

Ava: “Omg, same. I thought it was just me.”

Liam: “Bro, I’ve been lowkey struggling too. Thank you for saying something.”

Jules: “Wait, can we actually talk about this? Like for real?”

And just like that, something shifted.

The group chat didn’t fix her anxiety. But for the first time, Maya didn’t feel alone in it. And sometimes, knowing you’re not alone is the beginning of everything getting better.