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Puja Loves Book Clubs!

This page serves as a resource guide for books clubs on For My Sister.
Thank you for reading.

praise for the book

"There is a timeless longing you feel as you read the pages of Puja Shah’s novel. Mournful, yet gentle and kind, it makes you want to keep turning the pages.”
- Christina Rasmussen, Best Selling Author of Second Firsts

“Puja Shah’s riveting words will grasp you from the first page, leaving you feeling every emotion along the way. This is a book that people won’t stop talking about.”
- Jyoti Chand, Influencer and Author of Fitting Indian

“For My Sister is a novel with a social conscience illuminating the epidemic of human trafficking. It will break your heart, open your soul, and ignite a fire within to become part of the solution. Share it far and wide with all of your sisters.”
- Arielle Ford, International bestselling author of The Soulmate Secret

“Puja Shah’s exquisite debut novel is a thoughtfully researched and captivating story illuminating the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.”
- Dr. Rashmi Bismark, Author of Finding Om

“For My Sister is at once both a hopeful tale of sisterhood, love, and resilience and also a heart-wrenching cautionary tale.”
- Huda Al Marashi, Author of First Comes Marriage

“A masterfully written book that awakens every emotion and a much-needed narrative…For My Sister is easily stacked with some of the best books I’ve read.”
- Dianne C, Braley, Author of The Silence in the Sound

“For My Sister is a gripping, and deeply moving story…this page-turner is full of insight, inspiration, heartbreak and hope.”
- Tejal V. Patel, Author of Meditation for Kids

"Puja Shah's honest and contemplative story embraces that which is wonderful about India, even as it cries out for social transformation. Rich in the texture of its use of language, Puja Shah's first novel is a work of marvelous beauty."
- Marsha J. Tyson Darling, Ph.D., Renowned Professor

“An incredibly intense and riveting read.”
- Amy Maranville, author

“Bravo!…Puja Shah is precisely the fiction writer the literary worldand global readers need to finally begin understanding the plight of women and girls across the globe…”
- Sasha K. Taylor, Child marriage survivor and founder of Reality of a Desi Girl™

“Puja is a masterful storyteller. For My Sister is a story of hope and empowerment. This novel is an important read for all.”
- Susie Walton, Author of Key To Personal Freedom

“For My Sister is an engrossing tale of twin sisters…their story will pull you in and not let go.”
- Carla Damron, Author of The Orchid Tattoo, The Stone Necklace,
and the Caleb Knowles Mystery Series

“For My Sister is a beautiful and profound story of hope that vividly captures the strength of the human spirit.”
- Shetal Shah, Author of Shakti Girls

“I was totally engrossed…I highly recommend For My Sister—the interplay of tension and emotion will keep you reading until the final page.”
- Professor Winona Howe, Author of Sita and The Prince of Tigers

“Puja Shah’s vibrant prose, intriguing narrative, and thoughtful storytelling in For My Sister is an engaging and beautifully written novel…”
- Penny Haw, author of The Invincible Miss Cust and The Wilderness Between Us

“Powerful storytelling, it’s a heartbreaking story that is still able to evoke hope as it shares the beauty and struggle of perseverance and resilience.”
- Sonee Singh, author of Lonely Dove and the Soul Seeker Collection of poetry

“For My Sister is an important book, bringing forth a social issue and message for change that is deep within Puja Shah’s beautiful prose. A must read!”
- Jill McManigal, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kids For Peace Global nonprofit

“Even as you read this very engaging novel today, every 30 seconds another child becomes a victim of human trafficking across the globe."
- Mangneo Lhungdim, CEO, Oasis India nonprofit

“Through a compelling narrative about fictional sisters Asya and Amla, author Puja Shah brings to light the all too real and common, evil of human trafficking...the courage, and love shown by the sisters in this story, and those who helped them to escape, is present in so many real survivors, and those who, as we speak, are suffering in human slavery. “
- Alisa Gbiorczyk, Head of Global Operations, DeliverFund nonprofit

Examples of Recent Reviews

Winner of the 2023 Literary Titan Fiction Book Award, 2022 International Impact
Book Award and 2022 American Writing Award for Social Change

Amla and Asya are sixteen-year-old twins living with their family in a small village outside of Mumbai. While they look alike, they are very different. Asya is known for her quiet grace and understanding, whereas Amla questions authority and breaks rules.

Their lives change overnight when their mother becomes ill with cancer and their father succumbs to the massive financial strain of her care in Mumbai and eventually abandons his children. To the twins’ dismay, their grandparents arrange their marriages to older men. When they form a plan and run away to join their mother in the hope for a new life, the girls discover that the world is not what they thought.

After trusting the wrong people, a long train ride brings them to the dark streets of India’s largest red light district where they are sold to a ruthless woman. Their only security is each other . . . until they are separated. Though they each discover ways to cope through poetry, art, and romance, they long for the other half of themselves. Will their lives ever intertwine again?

As seen on:

about the author

Puja Shah is a visionary poet who shares her voice through written and spoken word, guided meditations, and teaching. Born in Queens, New York to immigrant parents, she defied teachers who questioned her English skills by winning countless poetry and short story awards in her youth. She is a doctor of dental medicine and has completed over a dozen trainings in various forms of yoga, meditation, and ancient wisdom. With over 10 years of nonprofit experience and a long public health career, she has aligned with girls rights awareness causes for her award winning debut novel, For My Sister.

book club discussion guide

Questions for Discussion

Which sister did you relate to more? Why?

Which poem stood out to you the most?

What do you think happens with Amla and Vishnu at the end of the novel?

The novel presents poetry, meditation, sisterhood, and romance as lifelines in an unforgiving world. What lifeline could you relate to?

What is the hardest part of this story for you? Do you think there is anything you can do to help? What?

What was the most uplifting part of the book for you?

Questions for Discussion With The Author

Why did you include Asya’s poems throughout the novel?

What is the overall meaning of the title of the book, For My Sister?

Why did you choose to write about twins?

Is this based on a true story?

What is the goal you aim to achieve with the novel?

what book clubs are saying

"Puja creates incredible unity within a book club by asking thoughtful questions, leading in a way that feels natural, and allowing everyone a chance to feel heard and have fun.”
- VGA Book Club, Erin Lane, Encinitas CA

"Having Puja with us at Bookclub was such a treat! Puja is beautiful woman walking through a similar season of motherhood. Our discussions of the book were rich and relatable and gave us all a broader perspective of what the book was about and what prompted her to write it."
- SFC Moms Who Love To Read, Nena Capozza. Del Mar, CA

get in touch with Puja Shah

Press inquiries, interview requests, speaking events, book clubs and questions about the book or mission are most welcome.

Public book clubs you may have seen For My Sister in:

Book Trib

Adventures by the Book

San Diego Public Library

La Jolla Library

The Chai Mommas + Unity SME Book Club

Mamajotes Book Club

Adelphi University Great Minds, Great Conversations

Liz and Lisa Book Club for Fox 5 San Diego News

connect with puja

Get book updates and a special welcome gift

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