BOOK CORNER: Teen author explores why real sisterhood matters

Wave Staff Report

For a generation growing up with friendship, identity and self-image playing out against the backdrop of social media, 17-year-old author and aspiring journalist Kavya Thakrar believes one thing remains essential: having a support system of women who know the person behind the profile.

Her debut book, “Bows and Ties,” explores the power of modern sisterhood at a time when connection may be just a scroll away, yet genuine belonging can feel harder to find.

Thakrar’s perspective grew from her conversations with 19 accomplished women across law, medicine, entrepreneurship and the arts, as well as her own experience building a network of women she considers her “tribe.”

For her, sisterhood is not about having a long contact list or an impressive social circle. It is about finding people who celebrate each other’s individuality, challenge each other when necessary and remain part of one’s support system through life’s many stages.

“Having a solid network and a solid tribe has made me more secure in my mental health and who I am as a person,” Thakrar said.

“Bows and Ties” is not just a collection of interviews, but a carefully connected conversation featuring the likes of psychologist Deepika Chopra, astrologer and author Jenn Sinclair, Chinese functional acupuncturist Kacie Hill, and attorney Astha Ghai. Each woman’s key revelation becomes the next woman’s prompt, creating an unbroken chain that highlights both the uniqueness of each journey and the threads that connect them.

The book’s format also lends itself naturally to classroom conversations, giving educators a starting point for exploring leadership, identity, career paths and women’s experiences through real personal narratives rather than traditional textbook lessons. The varied perspectives allow students to consider how different women define success, navigate challenges and shape their own paths.

“I wanted to show that sisterhood isn’t just about friendship; it’s about learning from one another, celebrating each other’s growth and creating space for more women to lead with confidence,” Thakrar said. “‘Bows and Ties’ is a tribute to the women who remind us that success feels more meaningful when it’s shared.”

“Bows and Ties” is available in paper back at Amazon and other book sellers.