Lini S. Kadaba
Author & Journalist
Embedded Files
Welcome to my website, where you'll find all the latest news about my debut novel, Leftovers After Life, out May 29, 2026, from Blydyn Square Books. Available at Bookshop.org, Amazon and other retailers.
Check out the Virtual Book Launch Celebration hosted by Blydyn Square Books here.
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.
Lyrical, layered, and 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.
Watch no more -- the cover is revealed! What do you think?
Watch no more -- the cover is revealed! What do you think?
What people say
What people say
Early reviews are in:
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."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An easy narrative; an old tale with a twist.
This first novel by the author is about immigrants. Neena, the narrator is the daughter of Indian immigrants; her father is from north India and her mother from the south.
The family lives in Atlanta. The faux pas and anxiety of an Indian origin child trying to integrate fully in a white society are conveyed succinctly and objectively.
Neena grows up successfully navigating all the horrors of school, goes to university, marries, has a daughter and becomes an editor………….
Embedded in this tale is the tale of Neena’s parents, both successful professionals, in their chosen field. Embodying the American dream? But appearances can be deceptive. Slowly. Unwittingly through flashback and whiffs of recall, Neena patches her family’s history. And it is far from ideal. Deftly using the present tense to recall the family’s past, the author paints a picture of a troubled marriage. This is the most interesting feature of the book.
The book ends with a twist, connecting the past and the present of Neena’s life."
To order
To order
Leftovers After Life is available at Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores. Click here. Available at Amazon by scanning the QR code on the left or going here.
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