My Story
In my junior year of college, I watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix. It scared me off social media for good, and I needed a way to fill the time. So, for the first time since high school, I picked up a book and began reading. I didn't care much for Cormac McCarthy's The Road, but I stuck with it. A few weeks later, I read all of The Kite Runner in one afternoon! To this day, it's still my favorite book.
Fast forward a few years, around the end of 2023. I began journaling my thoughts on life, which I hoped to turn into a book. I wrote on and off for a year. On my weekly calls with my mom, I frequently expressed my strong opinions about books. I figured that if I had all these takes about other authors' books, why not write one of my own? Throughout 2025, I completed drafts for my novel and novella. I'm currently seeing publication for my novella, and my novel is still undergoing developmental edits before I hit the publishing circuit.
What else you'll find on this website
Home: The landing page with my latest blog posts, a featured work, and a thoughtful Quote of the Week from what I've been reading. Check out previous quotes in the archive.
Reading List: A real-time look at what I'm reading and what I've read previously. You'll need to join the mailing list for more in-depth commentary about the books. But don't worry, it's only a weekly newsletter, not a million useless emails.
Stories: I write contemporary works of fiction, often with political or social commentary. They range from five-minute reads (such as A Purple Butterfly Earring) to the half hour range (Mummy Dearest or Uri and Aaliyah). If you're looking for an easy read, start with Degenerate Night.
Reviews: My unique, insightful reviews of books that I've read. Not every book gets a review, and unlike most literary websites, not every review is positive. I review anything and everything, from classics (A Tale of Two Cities) to contemporary works (Dandelion is Dead). My review of Things in Nature Merely Grow was featured on The Sunlight Press and my review of A Thousand Splendid Suns appeared on Compulsive Reader.
Blog: Posts on general literary topics and provides tips and tricks for adults who are newly getting back into reading. My most popular series is Reading Reflections, where I more critically reflect on what I'm reading and how it relates to what I'm seeing in the literary landscape. A lot of my readers tend to follow the Reading List and Reading Reflections in tandem. For those looking to get back into reading, I recommend my post on getting back into reading (scroll to the section "How to get started") and some short books to get you started.
About Me
Shay Zutshi is an emerging writer based in New York City, New York, United States. His works center on expressing raw, unfiltered emotional vulnerability, and often include contemporary social or cultural commentary. He has written short stories and book reviews, one of which appeared in The Sunlight Press. He is currently seeking publication of his novella. Outside of writing and reading, he enjoys lifting weights, watching American football, learning Kashmiri, exploring New York City's food scene, and traveling.