Reviews & Musings

Today my blog completes 5 years! Source: The Gospel Coalition Blog 1300 posts - 366 book reviews- 180 author interviews - 150 guest posts and still counting. The journey has been enthralling for sure. This blog is one place where all that I have asked for has come true. From starting it as a hobby to being a reviewer for all leading publishing houses, from growing up reading their books like a fangirl to getting their books for review it is all still surreal. I still jump in air like a kid whenever I get a wonderful book for review. It is like being introduced to a friend for a lifetime, someone who is going to be there forever. To mark this occasion I am sharing some of the best books I read in 2016 with snippets and links to my reviews in no particular order. They are simply put - THE BEST and the numbers next to them are serial numbers and not their ranks. If you have missed any of these please do read them, they are a treasure to dive into. If you have read them w...

Introduction ISBN:  978-9384067564 Genre:  Fiction / Anthology Publishers:  Aleph  Price:  Rs.299/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher ) A fanatical collector of beetles finds out too late where his passion has led him. A woman out on a shopping spree in a glitzy mall finds she can’t go home again. A servant girl experiences a cruel loss of innocence when she eats something that wasn’t meant for her. In the sweltering heat of Bombay, a schoolgirl finds the ground slipping beneath her feet except when she’s watching Star Trek. Four friends meet for drinks one evening, only to find that their friendship is not what it seems. And, in the extraordinary title story, a student who has worshiped his teacher for decades comes to a terrible realization about him. Meanwhile, his old mentor is planning a cunning legacy of his own. Behind the Book Source: Goodreads.com

Introduction ISBN:  978-9383064038 Genre:  Non-fiction / Adult colouring book / postcards Publishers:  Aleph  Price:  Rs.399/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher ) The marvellous art of Venkat Raman Singh Shyam are filled Chachan birds, the Katheli tree, snakes, animals, plants and other images from an illusory world of the Gond people. The illustrations in this colouring book will challenge and draw out the artist in you and will lead you to further explore the extraordinary world of Adivasi art. The trail of Venkat’s magical flute leads to an enchanted Alladdin’s cave of art that goes back to ancient times. His work is radiant and full of enchantment and it will take you over. Behind the Book Source: Amazon.in

Introduction ISBN:  9788129144522 Genre:  Non-fiction  Publishers:  Rupa  Price:  Rs.395/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher ) Innovation is now a key goal for organizations and governments, a sure recipe for growth, success and often, survival. But what is innovation? Is it the same as improvisation? And how does jugaad fit into the definition of innovation? Innovation ranges from invention based on cutting-edge technological research to the makeshift jugaad vehicle; from new products to improvisations in music. It has different facets, depending upon one’s perspective, rather like the fable of the five blind men and the elephant, each of whom draws his own conclusion depending upon the part of the elephant he touches. This book looks at the idea of innovation, its relevance for companies in today’s day and age, whether innovation leads to concrete benefits or not and why it is necessary for organizations, governments and...

Introduction ISBN: 978-1447252252 Genre: Fiction / Thriller Publishers: Pan Macmillan UK Price:  Rs.599/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher ) This Was a Man opens with a shot being fired, but who pulled the trigger, and who lives and who dies? In Whitehall, Giles Barrington discovers the truth about his wife Karin from the Cabinet Secretary. Is she a spy or a pawn in a larger game? Harry Clifton sets out to write his magnum opus, while his wife Emma completes her ten years as Chairman of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and receives an unexpected call from Margaret Thatcher offering her a job. Sebastian Clifton becomes chairman of Farthings Kaufman bank, but only after Hakim Bishara has to resign for personal reasons. Sebastian and Samantha's talented daughter, Jessica, is expelled from the Slade School of Fine Art, but her aunt Grace comes to her rescue. Meanwhile, Lady Virginia is about to flee the country to avoid her creditors when the Duchess of...

Introduction ASIN: B01M30V1AC4 Genre: Fiction / Young Adult Publishers: Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited Price:  Rs.66/-  ( I got the book for review from the b00k r3vi3ws ) It’s January on the Island of Cats and Lucy is secretly pregnant. Her love for Korian is as invincible as ever. Together, they experience the magic of their baby’s movement for the first time. But the raging Marmara waters and stormy skies match the turbulent state of Lucy’s soul. Isis continues to haunt her dreams. Her aunt’s new ruby ring sends a chill of suspicion up her spine. Scorpions crawl on the edge of her mind… Could Korian be right? Was her aunt involved in his mother’s death? When Lucy is forced to reveal her pregnancy, she discovers she’s not the only one with news, for her mother and her aunt both have astonishing revelations of their own… In a world that wants to pull them apart, Korian and Lucy must do everything in their power to stay together. NOTE TO READER...

Introduction ISBN: 978184958904 Genre: Non-F iction / Self help Publishers: Jaico Books Price:  Rs.199/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher ) 5 Success Secrets Do you tend to buckle under pressure? Do you find yourself losing your cool in stressful situations? Do you find yourself unlucky in spite of working hard? Think and Win Like Dhoni is not just a usual book about cricket, but a book that will help you to beat the odds. Get ahead of your competitors using tips and tricks from the Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s life, shared by the man himself! Everyone says MS Dhoni is lucky. But have you ever wondered why he is so lucky? How does he manage to cash in on opportunities? How does he remain calm in the face of immense pressure? What makes him a great leader and a youth icon? Discover the mind power of the boy who traveled the road of exclusivity, from being a regular Ranchi lad to a world-famous cricketer. Learn how to build confidenc...

Introduction ISBN: 9788184959444 Genre: F iction / Literature/ Historic fiction Publishers: Jaico Books Price:  Rs.399/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher ) The Portuguese captain anchored his fleet near the Calicut port. He fixed his piercing gaze on the shore and stood still. This time, Vasco da Gama made up his mind to take the treasures of the Malabar Coast back with him at any cost. His priority, pepper the Black Gold! Across the sea, the Zamorin of Calicut began to panic. He knew Gamas return meant trouble. Calicuts relationship with the neighbouring kingdoms isnt exactly cosy, thanks to Zamorins exacting trade policy. A failure at this point is not an option and that too, to a foreigner! To add to his worries, theres a spy roaming free in his own turf, plotting revenge. In the center of all this melee is the Zamorins pretty niece, Kunjulakshmi, harbouring her own little secret that could crumble the kingdom and start a war of doom on the coast. ...

Introduction ISBN: 9789352015474 Genre: F iction  Publishers: Frog Books Price:  Rs.375/-  ( I got the book for review from the author ) 'The Last Bloom' is a story of Priya, her dreams, aspirations and struggles to fit into her new college life and its politics. Priya was ecstatic, as she was admitted to her dream college. All her visions of adventurous rock climbing trips, long night jollification with bosom friends, class bunking in lieu of movie shows, tasting lip smacking street side delicacies with classmates-a new exciting world would now unfold before her! But college is different from Priya's idyllic dreams. In an environment as opposed to that of school, exposed to an educational system, which is controlled by political unions, will naive Priya be able to survive without any political protection? Caught between the college hero Suvo's charming words and her acrid tussles with conceited college dropout Vivek, will immature Priya be able to different...

Introduction ISBN: 9788129144515 Genre: F iction / Mythology Publishers: Rupa Price:  Rs.295/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) Surpanakha, Ravan’s infamous sister—ugly and untamed, brutal and brazen. This is how she is commonly perceived. One whose nose was sliced off by an angry Lakshman and the one who started a war but was she really just perpetrator of war? Or was she a victim? Was she Lanka’s princess? Or was she the reason for its destruction? Surpanakha, meaning the woman as hard as nails was born as Meenakshi—the one with beautiful, fish-shaped eyes. Growing up in the shadows of her brothers, who were destined to win wars, fame and prestige, she, instead, charts up a path filled with misery and revenge. Accused of manipulating events between Ram and Ravan, which culminated in a bloody war and annihilation of her family, Surpanakha is often the most misunderstood character in the Ramayana. Kavita Kané 's Lanka’s Princess tells the story...

Today Behind the Book we have Farhad Sorabjee , author of the highly acclaimed book God on Every Wind. Farhad Sorabjee lives in Mumbai, India. He is the author of several playscripts and two film scripts. Productions of his work have been staged in theaters in India. Farhad's plays have been developed as part of the Royal Court International Programme and at Soho Theatre, London. God on Every Wind is his first novel.  Let's hear him talk about his journey behind this book.