This was such an interesting read, that really captured the pain, confusion, and heartbreak that accompanies a relationship ending. I was really taken by the different cultural details that Scaachi included, and found her explanations of the different figures in Indian culture as they relate to her own experiences fascinating. I thought the sequence of the stories really did an amazing job taking the reader on the emotional roller coaster along with her, and I found her self reflection about how she grew up and how that may have impacted her to be extremely interesting. I really liked this book and will definitely recommend.

As I was reading Scaachi Koul's "Sucker Punch: Essays," I couldn't help asking myself "What happens on the way to a happy ending?"

What happens when you're on the verge of setting aside the crap, getting ready for domestic bliss, on your way to marriage, and then suddenly everything spirals downward?

Sucker punch, indeed.

Koul's first book "One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter" established, if her journalism career already hadn't, that Koul is willing to confront her own life, her family, and our culture with a refreshingly open, blunt, and occasionally intimidating honesty. That first book dealt with everything from race to body image to rape culture. An Indian-Canadian woman who grew up in Calgary, Koul writes with equal parts wit, wonder, warmth, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

With "Sucker Punch," Koul was expecting a different tone as she headed into marriage and seemed on her way to a different kind of life.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Her marriage fell apart. She lost her job. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer.

Again, sucker punch.

"Sucker Punch: Essays" reads like what happens when you're expecting one life and get another. It's filled with moments of exhilaration and moments of emotionally clawing toward light. It's witty, sarcastic, heartfelt, insightful, and challenging. It won't resonate with everyone, I can honestly say it didn't completely resonate with me, but for those who click with it it'll be a necessary read and a constant companion. For all of Koul's willingness to challenge the world, what's perhaps most illuminating here, and often quite funny, is that she's also willing to challenge herself just as passionately. She calls out B.S. relentlessly, her own and everybody else's.

Truthfully, this is probably more of a 3.5 read for me, however, I'm sticking with the 4-star because this will no doubt click with fans of Koul's writing and will no doubt be incredibly meaningful for those who embrace Koul's journey. There are those books where the reviews are going to be all over the place - truthfully, I doubt they even matter here.

Funny, honest, and with an emotional resonance that sneaks up on you, "Sucker Punch: Essays" is yet another winning collection from this Emmy-nominated journalist and Ambie Award-winning podcaster.

I’ve been a fan of Scaachi since her first book that I read on a whim last year and absolutely loved it. I think in my review I said something about being disappointed that she had no other books out so I’d just have to find her online and form a parasocial relationship with her. I did find her online, I’m subscribed to her news letter Hater Nation, and occasionally like her posts and stories on instagram.

Anyway imagine my shock and delight to learn she was coming out with another book! Now imagine my awe that I got approved for the ARC! I will say I absolutely expected to be rolling around on the floor laughing for this one and received a stark reminder that the author is older (sorry, Scaachi!) and has Gone Through Shit. I don’t even know what to say or how to review this, how do you review someone’s thoughts and feelings on their divorce? It feels crass to speak on it, but what I will say is men are trash and this book does make me want to go back and reread the first one and see it with new eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review,

I wasn't sure what to make of the book's essays. Some of them were difficult for me to understand, while others were likable. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to reading other works from this author.