Grim & Grinning takes you on a darkly humorous journey through the twisted realities of life, love, relationships, society, and beyond. With sharp wit and unapologetic honesty, this book explores the absurdities of human existence, poking fun at everything from the unpredictability of emotions to the chaos of modern society.
Whether it’s the cosmic jokes of the universe or the everyday drama of relationships and politics, Grim & Grinning delivers a clever mix of humour and truth that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even cringe. Perfect for fans of dark humour and those who appreciate life’s ironic twists, this book is your go-to companion for a sarcastic yet insightful take on human nature.
I am passionate about sharing my love for literature with others. With over seven years of experience, I have become one of the lists of Top 60 Indian Book Influencers in 2025, Top 100 Indian Book Review Blogs and Sites, the 30 Best Asian Book Blogs and Sites, the Top 10 Book Bloggers in India by Literary Insight, the Top 10 Book Bloggers by Kitaab, Indian Top Blog 2018, Best Blogger of the Year 2020 by Literary Mirror, Top 30 Asian Book Blogger and has been recognized as a Verified Amazon Influencer.
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I enjoyed this book probably as most of the jokes are true for me. It is a quick read that put a smile on my face. Aakanksha, feel free to use this one in your next book. There is more reality in these jokes than in all the reality shows put together.
Releasing date: 30 April Reading Grim & Grinning felt like having a late-night conversation with someone who sees the world a little differently—someone who can laugh at the chaos, point out the absurd, and still sneak in a gut-punch of truth when you least expect it.
Being part of the ARC team was honestly such a ride. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but what I found was a voice so sharp and unapologetic, it made me laugh out loud and then suddenly stop to think—like really think. Some pages had me snorting, others made me sit back in that “wait, damn…” moment. At some moments i was literally smirking. A few even made me wonder if I was okay for laughing. (Spoiler: I am, but just barely.)
If you like humor with a bite, thoughts that linger, and the kind of writing that dares to toe the line (then skip across it), you’re going to love this one.
This was a quick punchy read, full of interesting one liners. After I selected a few of them for subsequent rereads, there was one that literally made me laugh.
“I highlight quotes in books like I will actually use them in real life.”
Note to author: am sure though some of the quotes I’ve highlighted, I’d definitely use in appropriate situations. 😃
❣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - Thank you so much Author Aakanksha Jain for the free ARC! Grim & Grinning is one of those books that doesn’t take itself too seriously—but somehow still manages to say a lot. The humor is sharp, the tone is unapologetically bold, and some of the lines? They hit harder than expected. There were moments I genuinely laughed, others where I had to pause because the line just made too much sense. Still, it’s unique, punchy, and definitely a book that sticks with you. If you're into unconventional writing that makes you laugh and think a little, this one’s worth picking up.
You know the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”?🍋 Well, this book is that lemonade—zesty, refreshing, and surprisingly wise. Except it’s not just about lemons. It’s about life, love, politics, the universe, science, heartbreak, healing, and everything in between. And the best part? It’s all wrapped in wry, punchy humor that sneaks in deeper truths when you least expect it.
In Grim and Grinning, the author explores the kind of everyday moments and tangled thoughts we all have, but rarely put into words. Reading it felt like talking to a friend who just gets it—the one who knows exactly what to say, and somehow manages to make you laugh while you’re crying. That quiet “Wow, she feels this too,” and “Thank God, I’m not alone in this,” kept echoing in my mind as I turned the pages.
It’s a book that doesn’t demand too much time (162 pages!), but offers so much in return. It reminded me that there is light at the end of the tunnel—even if the tunnel’s under construction and someone forgot to put up signs. It gave me the exact kind of pick-me-up I needed after reading something really heavy. Like a mental detox, but with wit.
Rating: 5/5 Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you’re feeling a bit stuck, lost, or just need a read that feels like a warm cup of tea with a sarcastic friend—this one’s for you.
I started reading this book by Aakanksha Jain without any special expectations, but it got me by surprise me in a good way. Right from the first couple of pages, her sharp, witty tone had me smiling. The way she breaks down everyday moments—be it relationships, society, or just life's unpredictability—feels honest, yet strangely comforting. Her take on ordinary chaos is both truly hilarious and insightful.
What really got me were those short, punchy lines hidden between casual storytelling. Some made me laugh ou loud, and others quietly hit a nerve. It's not just light reading—it sneaks in deeper truths, those that make you pause and nod in agreement. Life, dreams, people—it’s all here, messy and real. She doesn't try to sugarcoat anything, but there's warmth behind the sarcasm that makes it all feel okay.
I finished it in single sitting, not just because it was short, but because it was kind of addictive. I even found myself copying a few quotes into my notebook—they're just that memorable. It's that kind of book that feels like a friend talking straight.
I chose this book on a whim and ended up finishing it in a single sitting. It’s a bunch of short lines that somehow manage to say a lot with just a few words. Some made me laugh out loud and others hit so close to my real life that I had to pause and reflect for a moment. It’s weird in a good way that how something so quick to read can feel this personal.
What stood out to me the most was the mix of subtle humor and blunt honesty. One page had me giggling at how accurately it described a situation I’ve been through, and then the next had me thinking about my own habits and emotions. It doesn’t really sugarcoat anything, but it also doesn’t drag you down. There’s a weird comfort in knowing someone else sees the same mess in life and just says it how it is.
If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at life’s nonsense or questioned your own choices and decisions mid-conversation, this book will feel oddly familiar.
So, life never really goes the way we think it will, right? Some people just ride the waves, some feel completely stuck, and others are kind of floating in between—figuring things out in their own messy, slightly biased way. That’s kind of the vibe this book gives off, and honestly, I was here for it.
*Grim & Grinning* feels like a collection of random, funny thoughts about life, but there’s depth too. It’s not just jokes—it also dives into the ups and downs of being a writer, and the love-hate relationship with storytelling.
The little quotes that the book had made me made it very interesting, and the book is so good that you can just read it in one setting or max in 1 to 2 hours like the book is so good and so simple to read. You will really find it very interesting, and the quotes are so good that you will take out your diary and rewrite all the quotes for you to read it again and again
Overall, this book was a fun little ride—witty, honest, and surprisingly relatable. Definitely glad I picked it up.
This book honestly felt like a chat with that one brutally honest friend who makes you laugh even when life’s being a mess. It's filled with short, witty thoughts that somehow hit homen like, yeah, I’ve felt this. Some bits are plain funny, others make you pause and go, “Damn, that’s true.” The author doesn’t try to be preachy or overly deep. She just says things the way they are sometimes silly, sometimes sharp. It’s the perfect mix of sarcasm, emotion, and straight-up realness. You’ll find yourself smiling at one line and reflecting on the next. The best part? It doesn’t force you to feel anything ,it just flows. No drama, no overthinking. Just pure, honest thoughts that make you feel seen. If you’re someone who enjoys a little chaos with a side of humor, you’ll probably love this one.
If you’ve ever sat through a conversation where you smiled politely while screaming internally at the absurdity of it all—this book is for you. Jain gives voice to the thoughts many of us keep to ourselves. Her ability to articulate everyday irritations and existential confusion is uncanny.
But more than that, she brings humor into spaces that usually don’t allow for it—grief, doubt, burnout, loneliness. She shows that laughing isn’t the opposite of feeling deeply. Sometimes it’s the only way we can survive it.
The format is quick and digestible—you can easily finish it in one or two sittings—but the lines linger. Many of the quotes are so striking, you’ll want to jot them down and revisit them.
Reading Grim & Grinning felt like having an offbeat, deeply honest conversation with a friend who sees through the world’s BS. Aakanksha Jain doesn’t write to impress; she writes to connect—and it shows. Her voice is a blend of sarcasm, wit, and oddly comforting cynicism that somehow makes you feel seen.
This isn’t a self-help book, and thank god for that. It’s not trying to change your life. Instead, it points at the ridiculousness of it all, shrugs, and gives you permission to laugh. I appreciated how the writing walked the line between smart and silly, never taking itself too seriously but also never resorting to cheap laughs. There’s real heart here.
Grim & Grinning is a witty and darkly humorous book that explores life, love, relationships, and society in the most sarcastic and relatable way. With sharp, clever writing and a no-filter attitude, the book dives into the chaos of human emotions and everyday life.
Many of the quotes and thoughts in the book made me laugh out loud, while others made me stop and think, “Yes, I’ve been through this!” The way it mixes humor with real-life struggles is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
If you enjoy books that are honest, funny, and a little dark, this one is definitely for you. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, nod, and say, “So true!” all at once.
This is for anyone who loves dark humor, sharp observations, and brutally honest takes on life.
What I admired most about this book is that it doesn’t try to sell you anything. There’s no forced positivity or fake inspiration. Jain isn’t pretending to have answers—and in a way, that’s what makes this book so comforting. It’s just real thoughts from a real person about the real absurdity of life.
Some entries are bite-sized and funny, others stretch a little deeper into commentary, but they all carry the same core energy: unfiltered, intelligent, emotionally aware. It’s refreshing to read a book that trusts its audience to find meaning without being spoon fed
Reading Grim & Grinning felt like scrolling through the inside of my own thoughts—only funnier, sharper, and more honest than we usually acknowledge. It’s packed with one-liners that hit you with unexpected clarity, sometimes making you laugh, other times making you go, “Wow… that’s too real.” Aakanksha Jain has a knack for turning everyday chaos into clever, bite-sized truths that stick with you. It’s light but hits deep, funny but meaningful. A perfect comfort read when life feels like a bit too much.
This book doesn’t try to teach you how to be focused, fearless, or any of that motivational stuff—and honestly, that’s its biggest flex. It’s not here for the drama, the deep life lessons, or the plot twists that make you question your existence. Instead, it’s here to serve brutal honesty wrapped in humor that’ll have you laughing one second and staring into the void the next.
Life is never what we expected right ? Some could just flow with the waves, some get stuck unable to move forward, some in the middle but take their own time finding their own loopholes to move forward but also have their own set of prejudices against sore causes, which, when written down, make for a fun take on life.
Well, this book gives a small microscopic outlook at this angle, filled with funny anecdotes on life, but also with heart when it comes to the author's love of books despite the sore feelings of having to write and simultaneously think about the quandry of life regarding what being a writer actually means?
It does sound quirky but real right ? Well that's what I felt as soon as I started reading this one. The anecdotes/thoughts feel short but they do pack quite a bang. I do have quite a few favourites of mine, like "Reading is fun until you find a typo -- then it becomes a personal attack".
I had fun reading this one.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Book Recommendation - Hell Yeah, if you need a moment to breathe or to find inspo *wink*.
Thank you for the author for gifting me a copy for an honest review.
📚 Book Review: Grim and Grinning by Aakanksha Jain
There are moments in life where everything feels like a loophole of disappointments and crooked way which you thought ought to be straight and easy. Well , what to do except live with it, right? Eventually those things are a part of existing and u gotta sail with it . Might as well add humor in this concoction and there ,u got the perfect blend of some silliness, life and it's side effects 😉
Grim and Grinning is one such book that delivers a perspective which is actually relatable to every youngter out there with a sprinkle of Humor and dazzle of laughter.
Author has said so many things that are so relatable and funny that I was grinning till the end while reading 😆 a lot of things which are plain unapologetic straight truth .
It was such a light read , the perfect book to cure your hungover from a heavy read! 😁 I think I'll be reading this again and again after whenever a book emotionally destroys me 🙃💖
A read that will make your heavy heart lighter with its bold and unapologetic humor !
This was my first ARC, and honestly, I feel a bit scammed - by my own excitement. I signed up hoping to discover a unique perspective, but what I got felt more like scrolling through a series of witty Instagram captions than reading a book.
The author seems to have aimed for humor through short, punchy one-liners, some of which did make me grin, but overall, it felt like reading an article titled "150 Quotes to Make You Think (or Laugh)."
It took me about 20 minutes to finish, and I couldn’t help but feel that I invested more time signing up for the ARC and paying for the digital copy than I did engaging with the content. For someone used to immersive storytelling or thoughtful writing, this just didn't deliver.
That said, I know humor is subjective, and I genuinely don't mean to discredit the author or their intent. This style might work well for social media followers or those looking for quick bite-sized content, but it just wasn't for me. I hope the author continues to grow and finds their ideal audience.
If life had a sarcastic best friend who knew all your insecurities, Grim and Grinning would be that friend. This book is a sharp, witty book of musings about the messy chaos of being human- relationships, self-doubt, society, and all the little daily annoyances we tend to endure in silence.
One of the key components that makes it special is the interplay between dark humor and striking authenticity. One minute you are laughing at an insanely funny remark about a scenario you have personally experienced, then the next minute you are nodding your head in agreement because it hits a little too close to home.
It does not give you inspiration, it does not try to fix anything, it doesn’t fake optimism, hell its not even saying your problems are not valid, the authors perspective on life is simply “Yeah life is messy, here's the hilarious reality of it."
Book is big on humour and stylistic boldness, with ample witty quotes you'll like to highlight or share. If you like intelligent humour, sarcasm and that therapeutic, somewhat stand up comedy vibe, this is a must read.
Grim & Grinning by Aakansha Jain definitely doesn't try to teach you to be focused, determined, courageous, or anything along these lines. If you want a life manual, you can look at other books on the shelf. Instead, the book prompts you to breathe a little, seek laughter and savour life while you can. Be it a personal anecdote or scientific theory, everything in the book revolves around how we perceive the world. Every chapter nudges you to amplify the new power or recycle the outdated power within you. This book is a refreshing relief from the usual hunt for deeper meanings, plot twists, murder mysteries, or spiritual awakening. Aakansha serves her thoughts on a platter, leaving one side deliciously empty- so you refill it with your quirky side dishes.
One of my favourites is "The world's a stage, but most people are reading the wrong script." The book has a lemonade effect—it gently cools your nerves in the heatwave of seriousness and stress.
Reading Grim & Grinning is like chatting with that one brutally honest friend who can make you chuckle or smile, even when life feels like it's falling apart. This book is a collection of short, punchy reflections on the complications of life, relationships, identity, heartbreak, society, all delivered with a big side of sarcasm. It’s not linear, which I totally appreciated so that it felt perfect to pick up and put down as I needed with my busy life
You can read a chapter or two and then feel seen, relieved and maybe even amused. The author's voice is quirky, bold and determined with the intention of not apologizing. Each joke or quote feels tangible. It feels like it was written by someone who has been through the chaos and decided to laugh about it anyway. If you enjoy life, humor, heart, quirky, chaos and fun commentary, this book is an absolute delight
Grim & Grinning by Aakanksha Jain is a pretty witty and darkly humorous book that diverts to the ups and downs of life, love, and society. With honesty and sharp writing, it explores the strange and funny and the neutral side of human behavior and emotions. The book makes you laugh, think, and sometimes feel uncomfortable, but in a good way. If you enjoy stories with sarcasm, truth, and a touch of irony, this book is a great pick. Also If you enjoy humor with meaning, and aren’t afraid of a little truth mixed in, you’ll love this book. It's smart, funny, and offers a fresh take on how we live and think. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions like funny, deep, real and stressing. It also directs to how life doesn't go always as we think and can make us work for the goals we have decided.
The structure of Grim & Grinning makes it incredibly re-readable. It doesn’t have to be consumed cover to cover; you can dip in and out, reread favorite sections, and still get something new each time.
The quotes are punchy and often profound, and I’ve already written a few down in my journal to revisit later. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you. It seems light at first glance, but then a line will just… stay with you. For days. That’s not easy to pull off, and Jain does it with style.
Jain doesn’t try to sugarcoat reality, offer hollow inspiration, or pretend to have all the answers. Instead, she leans into the mess, serving up a mix of sarcasm, emotional insight, and raw truth.
Grim & Grinning doesn’t just read like a book—it feels like companionship. The kind that sits beside you, rolls its eyes at the world, and says, “Yeah, me too.” Jain’s voice is distinct but accessible.
You don’t need to be an intellectual or a literary snob to enjoy this—you just need to have lived a little, struggled a bit, and kept your sense of humor. This is one of those rare books that feels like it truly gets you. Not in a performative way, but in a quiet, sincere, and slightly chaotic one.
The strength of this book lies in its ability to be funny and painfully relatable at the same time. One moment, you’re laughing at an absurd but oddly familiar scenario; the next, you’re quietly nodding because a line just got a little too real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Grim & Grinning is a book that pulls no punches- and that's why it works. It's raw, real and full of introspective observations about love, identity and all of the confusing feelings that come with them. What stands out is the author's voice - sarcastic but sincere, funny but thoughtful. She does not try to fix anything or pretend everything is fine, she takes the messy and makes it comforting but real and hilarious.
This book allows you read in short burst, each entry is short but impactful. Some made me pause and reflect while other made me laugh. It is a refreshingly real take on living in today's day and age without filters. If you like brutally honest writings with a Lil dark humour, definitely give this book a read
Grim & Grinning delves into relationships, self-doubt, societal pressures, and all those unspoken daily frustrations with a unique blend of dark humor and striking honesty.
It isn’t about fixing problems or feigning optimism; it simply lays bare the hilarious reality of life’s chaos.
The book is packed with quotes that are hard to forget, offering something for every reader and writer to connect with. I found myself laughing aloud almost constantly, and its quirky charm instantly lifted my spirits.
I know I’ll be revisiting it often throughout my life. While incredibly funny, some observations also struck a deeper chord, prompting reflection on the realities of our modern world.
I highly recommend it, especially as a refreshing change after a particularly intense read.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐/5 I recently read Grim and Grinning and all I can say is Life does not always go according to what we decide instead we feel stuck in a loop which can be tiring . This book discusses those various paths in a humorous and lighthearted manner, with a touch of honesty.
It's not your typical book with profound meanings, dramatic plot turns, or serious life lessons. Rather, the author offers her opinions plainly and honestly, leaving room for you to inject your own witty ideas it's a wonderful book with short quotes which will inspire you some quotes where you can relate a lot and many more
If you enjoy witty humor and a new perspective on life, you'll love this book 🫶🏻💛
Grim and Grinning by Aakanksha Jain is a blend of light and dark, funny, surreal, and gritty humor. Each chapter offers something relatable-I know I found parts that resonated with me. The author's writing draws you in and lingers long after you've finished reading.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful writing with a touch of humor. It's a short read, but it leaves a lasting impression.
Some lines that I find relatable:
I don't cry in real life, but one fictional death and I need therapy.
''Read between the lines'', they said Joke's on them- I can't even read my own handwriting.
If parallel universes exist, I hope mine is making better decisions.
Grim & Grinning is a short, witty, and thought provoking book filled with one and two liner quotes that mix with humour with harsh truth. In this book Aakanksha Jain uses jokes & clever observation to talk about everyday topics. The book is both relatable and refreshing. The writing is sharp, honest & sometime beautifully brutal. Some made me laugh & some made me think like wow that's so true. Some lines felt like a mirror & some likes a hug. I didn't know I needed this until I read this. It touches emotions and experiences must people go through. This book is great for readers who likes reflective quotes & realistic emotions.
Clocking in at just a couple of hours to read, this book still managed to hit harder than many novels I’ve slogged through for days. Grim & Grinning wastes no time.
Every page is packed with sharp, thoughtful, funny lines that make you pause—either to laugh or to think. The author’s background as a writer clearly comes through in the meta-commentary on writing and storytelling.
It’s one of the few books I’ve read that talks about creativity with honesty and without a hint of pretension. I can see this becoming one of those books people gift to their friends with a “you have to read this” note.