Lini S. Kadaba
Author & Journalist
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Welcome to my website, where you'll find the latest news about my debut novel, Leftovers After Life.
Photo by Patrick Montero
Hello, I'm Lini.
Hello, I'm Lini.
When my mother died, about fourteen months after my father, I was left with a monumental task of sorting through a lifetime of stuff. I was struck by what they had saved and the memories that seemingly trivial items evoked. The germ of an idea was planted for a work of fiction. The result is Leftovers After Life. I hope you enjoy reading it. Here's a little bit about the story:
When Neena’s mother utters her final, shocking word before slipping into silence forever, Neena is left reeling. The two had a fraught relationship, but the venom of that parting shot shakes Neena to her core. Now, faced with the daunting task of cleaning out her parents’ Philly-area condo, Neena begins to sift through boxes of belongings, each item stirring memories and long-buried tensions.
As she wades through dresses, documents, and dusty relics of her suburban Georgia childhood, Neena is forced to confront not just her fractured bond with her mother—and a family secret—but the ways history repeats itself.
Unflinchingly honest, Leftovers After Life explores how we reckon with the past to reclaim the present. In uncovering what’s been packed away—physically and emotionally—Neena must decide what to keep, what to discard, and whether it’s ever really possible to make peace with the ones who raised us.
Midwest Book Review called Leftovers After Life "original, lyrical, carefully crafted" and "written with an eloquence and style that lifts [the] novel to an impressive level of literary excellence."
Book Club Discussion Questions
Book Club Discussion Questions
The cover reveal
The cover reveal
If you enjoyed Leftovers After Life, a review at Amazon or Goodreads would really be appreciated. Your support can help others discover Neena's story.
What readers are saying:
What readers are saying:
"I absolutely loved Leftovers Afterlife. This book completely pulled at my heartstrings....
This is a touching story about grief, family, memory, forgiveness, and the ways love can show itself even when we don’t recognize it. I found myself thinking about it long after I finished. If you enjoy character-driven stories that leave you feeling hopeful, I definitely recommend picking this one up."
"... introspective novel that explores themes of grief, complex family relationships, and the emotional weight of the past.... The writing is thoughtful and evocative, capturing the complexity of love and resentment that can coexist within families. While the story unfolds quietly, its emotional depth leaves a lasting impression, a touching read that reminds us that while loss changes us forever, memories continue to provide comfort, connection, and meaning."
"A lovely, heartfelt, moving story of love and loss. The writing brought the characters to life while the plot weaved together the story of a woman searching for answers about her difficult mother."
"... engaging and thought provoking. What do we know about our families? How have the most important parts of our lives been shaped by things we don’t know? The story unfolds with remembrances of found objects that help retell important events with beautifully insightful prose. Enjoyable to read with several twists. A wonderful debut novel."
"Leftovers After Life is a multi-layered novel that will have you thinking about your own life long after you have finished the novel."
"Leftovers After Life captures how loss lingers in memories, as the protagonist searches through her deceased parents' possessions and uncovers the stories, tensions, and secrets that shape her family. Thoughtful and honest, the novel embraces the complexities of love and loss, offering a poignant reflection on making peace with the people who form us."
"The faux pas and anxiety of an Indian origin child trying to integrate fully in a white society are conveyed succinctly and objectively.... Deftly using the present tense to recall the family’s past, the author paints a picture of a troubled marriage."
"... a deeply empathic book that packs a powerful emotional punch. It’s a wise book and a kind one, qualities embodied in its conclusion that time does not heal wounds, only blurs them."
To order
To order
Leftovers After Life is available at Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores, and on the shelves of Main Point Books in Wayne, Penn., or Celia Bookshop in Swarthmore, Penn.
Also available at Amazon by scanning the QR code on the left or going here.
Support small presses by purchasing direct from the publisher at Blydyn Square Books.
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