Growing Up Is Beautiful… But It Leaves Its Marks.

Being a teenager isn’t always easy. Between friendships, expectations, self-doubt, dreams, and constant change, growing up often feels like carrying emotions that are difficult to explain.
Paper Hearts and The Permanent Scars is a heartfelt collection of reflections that captures these emotions with honesty and simplicity. Instead of telling a fictional story, the book shares genuine thoughts and experiences that many teenagers quietly carry within themselves.
Through relatable observations and meaningful reflections, Kartiki explores themes of self-discovery, identity, friendships, emotional struggles, confidence, and the challenges of navigating today’s world. Every page reminds readers that vulnerability is not weakness—it is what makes us human. This is a book for anyone who has ever questioned themselves, searched for belonging, or wished someone truly understood what they were feeling.