About the Book: In Stolen Hours and Other Curiosities, Manjula Padmanabhan weaves 25 speculative science‑fiction tales filled with rebellious cellphones, lusty holograms, and even tourist vampires who prefer spicy Indian blood. Her stories stretch familiar realities—bejeweled party guests stripped bare, teenagers stealing time, mosquitoes spreading Gandhian pacifism—forcing us to rethink society and where we’re headed. Funny yet profound, this collection offers a uniquely Indian twist on sci‑fi that lingers long after the last page. Stolen Hours and Other Curiosities