Reviews & Musings

Introduction ISIN:  9781910124765 Genre: Fiction Publishers: Rupa Publishing House Price:  Rs.299/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) ' Blood had begun to trickle down Asha’s starched cotton salwar, and once more she tried to will herself to stay calm. It was nothing. These things happened. ‘ But these things haven’t happened before. It’s August 1947, the night before India’s independence. It is also the night before Pakistan’s creation and the brutal Partition of the two countries. Asha, a Hindu in a newly Muslim land, must flee to safety. She carries with her a secret she has kept even from Firoze, her Muslim lover, but Firoze must remain in Pakistan, and increasing tensions between the two countries mean the couple can never reunite. Fifty years later in New York, Asha’s Indian granddaughter falls in love with a Pakistani, and Asha and Firoze, meeting again at last, are faced with one more – final – choice. Spanning continents and generation

Introduction ISIN:  9781910124765 Genre: Non fiction / Young readers Publishers: Red Turtle Price:  Rs.150/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) Books are like best friends—always there for you when you need them. And it’s not just you; your favourite authors also feel the same way. In this collection, find out which are the books that inspired Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; what is Ruskin Bond’s favourite book series; Subhadra Sen Gupta’s favourite reading spots; and how Sudha Murty’s longstanding relationship with libraries continues to this day. Plus, Roopa Pai talks about her love for Enid Blyton, Jash Sen narrates how reading detective fiction in a spooky old house only added to the fun, Arundhati Venkatesh reminisces about her childhood spent in the company of books and Anita Nair fondly describes the ‘place of enchantment’ a book provided her. Plus, there are more delightful anecdotes by Satyajit Ray, Tanu Shree Singh, Jerry Pinto, Nilanjana Roy and Deepa Agar

Introduction ISIN:  9788184958874 Genre: Fiction / Mythology Publishers: Jaico Publishing House Price:  Rs.350/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) VICTORY IS TEMPORARY. THE BATTLE IS ETERNAL. Vikramaditya and his Council of Nine have fought valiantly to repel the rampaging hordes from Devaloka and Patala – but Avanti has been brought to its knees. Ujjayini lies battered its citizens are scared and morale is badly shaken. Meanwhile, the barbaric Hunas and Sakas are gathering on the horizon and cracks are emerging between the allied kingdoms of Sindhuvarta. The only silver lining is that the deadly Halahala is safe. For now. Bent on vengeance, Indra is already scheming to destroy Vikramaditya, while Shukracharya has a plan that can spell the doom for the Guardians of the Halahala. How long can the human army hold out against the ferocity and cunning of the devas and asuras? And will Vikramaditya’s love for his queen come in the way of his promise to S

Introduction ISIN:  9788175993907 Genre: Non-Fiction / Self help Publishers: Fingerprint Publishing House Price:  Rs. 250/- ( I got this book from the author for a review ) Open-eyed Meditations is a beautiful compilation of thoughts wherein each meditation takes you on a journey to the past, bringing a secret herb to heal a problem of the present. A true distillation of ancient wisdom tips for modern lives, this unique self-help book uses the wisdom of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to solve your everyday problems. Beyond the story-line, something deeper is waiting to be discovered from these ancient texts. This book is an attempt to uncover the hidden layer of wealth that is cleverly packaged within the commonly known story lines. Behind the book Source: Goodreads.com

Introduction ISIN:  9789352589708 Genre: Non-Fiction / Self help Publishers: Books that Inspire Price:  Rs. 125/- ( I got this book from the author for a review ) The Calling is a spiritual adventure. It is an encounter with the truth, the wisdom and the force that is innate to us all. At the brink of a divorce and personal breakdown, Arjun took a trip into the heart of the Himalayas, on the insistence of a sadhu, who predicted that the journey up to Hemkund Sahib would align him to his purpose and change his life forever. At every turn the mountains holds secrets and tests that urge Arjun to evolve into the person he had denied to be - himself. Pretenses, falsities, confusions and untruths fall apart as Arjun is forced to confront the mess he had created in his life. What started off as an opportunity to escape reality, turned out to be an opportunity to escape from the dwindling spiral of self-created misery. Filled with spiritual insights and sprinkled with light humor,

Introduction ISIN:  9788129141972 Genre: Fiction / Romance Publishers: Rupa Publishers Price:  Rs. 195/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) Love is in the air again…and this time it’s steamy, bold and manipulative! Gayatri, a rich, spoiled diva, is fighting to establish herself even as her tyrant father pushes her into a life not of her choice. Viraj is a genius and a con who shuns society and its hypocrisies. Gayatri sees Viraj only as a means to an end. For Viraj, Gayatri is the epitome of all that he despises. So when their paths cross, it is a battle of feisty wills and desire. Will Gayatri and Viraj prove to be each other’s salvation or annihilation? From the best-selling author of Right Fit Wrong Shoe and Wrong Means Right End comes Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right. All the unforgettable characters of the earlier two bestsellers make a comeback in this unforgettable story of hurt, hearts and hope. This is a tumultuous journey of two Wrongs

Introduction ISIN:  978-8184958966 Genre: Non-Fiction / Self help Publishers: Jaico Publishing House Price:  Rs. 250/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) A world-class manual on why and how to pursue your dreams. Do you aspire to be successful in life? Do you work hard but rarely get the desired outcome? Do you fear your aspirations will expire before you realize them? In his book Aspire before You Expire, bestselling author Dr. Ujjwal Patni shares hard-hitting insights on topics like why people kill their aspirations, how to design your aspirations, mantras of image management, companionship scan, success habits and how to create an ecosystem to fulfill your aspirations. Behind the book Source: Amazon.in

Introduction Genre: Non-fiction / Self help Publishers: Juggernaut Price:  Rs. 120/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) You Will Love Again speaks about how heartbreak is one of the leading causes of depression, especially among young people. The author further talks about the physical manifestation of heartbreak, and lays out steps for healing and better mental health. He's a compelling speaker and this book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand how to love again after heartbreak. Behind the book Source: community.juggernaut.in

Introduction ISIN:  9781250043948 Genre: Fiction / Drama Publishers: Pan McMillan Publishers Price:  Rs. 307/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) From the award-winning author of Island of a Thousand Mirrors comes the confession of a woman, driven by the demons of her past to commit a single and possibly unforgivable crime. "The walls of my cell are painted an industrial white, like albumen. They must think the color is soothing. Where I come from it connotes absence, death, unrelenting loneliness." In the idyllic hill country of Sri Lanka, a young girl grows up with her loving family; but even in the midst of this paradise, terror lurks in the shadows. When tragedy strikes, she and her mother must seek safety by immigrating to America. There the girl must reinvent herself as an American teenager to survive, with the help of her cousin. Both love and loss fill her life, but even as she assimilates and thrives, the secrets and scars of her past

Introduction ISIN:  9789384382179 Genre: Fiction / Romance / Drama Publishers: Gargi Publishers Price:  Rs. 178/- ( I got this book from the author for a review ) Paridhi Mathur, dusky, beautiful, and single, is doing everything to keep her academic records high and her love life nil, but lady luck keeps frowning at her. When she meets Abhigyan Ambastha, rich - devastatingly handsome, intense and sometimes curt, her resolve wavers. Despite regular warnings from her ever-suspicious heart, she inexplicably gets attracted towards him. But she would not let him trespass her soul. Why? Is she scared of mendacious face of love her past has inflicted on her? Can Paridhi really trust Abhigyan? Will a blissful breeze of love ever kiss her heart? A heart-warming saga of dreams and desires, We Will Meet Again promises to make you smile and cry at the same time. Hold on to your hearts before embarking on this roller coaster ride of emotions! Behind the book Source: Goodre

If you have been a regular reader of my blog you would have noticed the small write ups I keep doing often about various NGOs which are following the quotation "Be the change you want to see in the world " to the T. By writing about them here I try to spread the word about them and their various activities in a constant endeavor to give back to the society in whatever little capacity I can. This lead me to Mumbai Smiles - A Mumbai based NGO which works for the development of the select slum areas of Andheri (East).

Introduction ISIN:  978-9382616801 Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance / Drama Publishers: Pan McMillan India Price:  Rs. 399/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) ‘My eyes, they rain all the time My eyes, they rain all the time Till I see him in mine’ When Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa, feared by even the mighty Mughals, hears the exquisite Mastani sing, the passion that sparks between them grows quickly into a raging fire. The Peshwa defies his orthodox Brahmin heritage, declaring his love openly for the half-Muslim dancer, in the face of fierce opposition. A man way ahead of his time, Bajirao causes outrage when he marries Mastani, bringing her into his home as his second wife. N.S. Inamdar’s timeless tale, that has inspired both film and television, brings alive the romance, intrigue and valour of the eighteenth-century Maratha empire. This irresistible novel is one of India’s favourite love stories. Behind the book

Introduction Genre: Fiction / Drama Publishers: Juggernaut Price:  Rs. 120/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) A lonely Preeti moves to Mumbai post her brother's death. Succumbing to the burden of depression, she decides to end it all. Just then her doorbell rings. Answering it will change her life forever. This tale is inspired by the true story of an artist who found that love was the only colour missing from the palette of her life. Behind the book Source: Goodreads.com

Introduction ISIN:  978-9382277149 Genre: Biographies / Travelgoues Publishers: Aleph  Publishers Price:  Rs. 395/- ( I got this book from # TSBookClub as a part of its Pass It Forward ) Korma, Kheer and Kismet: Five Seasons In Old Delhi is a record of the food experiences offered in the streets of Old Delhi. Pamela Timms came down all the way from Scotland to enjoy the tastes and flavours of Indian food, which she found it in the street food stalls. Pamela Timms decided to get away from the dampness of Scotland and enjoy the sun and heat in India. She came to Delhi and her mission was not just to enjoy the tropical climate but also to discover the heady flavours of Indian foods. Initially, Pamela Timms found it difficult to sample the genuine taste of Indian food. She then decided that Old Delhi was probably the best place to find it. She began exploring the side streets and by lanes of Old Delhi and discovered the wonderful street food stalls, offering a mind bogglin

Today we have Anna del Mar , the author of The Stranger with us. Anna del Mar writes hot, smart romances that soothe the soul, challenge the mind, and satisfy the heart. Her stories focus on strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy, kickass, military heroes who defy the limits of their broken bodies to protect the women they love. Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very opinionated cats. She can be reached at: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Email | Website | Amazon   Isn't that an awesome cover? If you are curious to know whats the book about, here's a sneak peek for you: