Lavender Orchids

Zero LimitsAuthor: Aruna SankaranarayananPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 At my age, when I am quite satisfied with the progress I have made so far in terms of professional and personal success, I still cannot help but think of the disadvantages I faced owing to the unawareness and lack of global connectivity when I was younger. With the internet now being at our beck and call, making decisions has become easier. Zero Limits offers a much-needed scaffold that acts as a guide to utilizing the early years of youth and making a smooth transition into adulthood by means of the right decisions, the right mindset and the right approaches to problems. Zero…

Tomb of GodAuthor: Victor GhoshePublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 Tomb of God belongs to the genre of Historical Thriller that traces the adventurous journey of four strangers- Marina, Eric, Aurin and Father Smit to find their missing friend/ companion. Amidst the buried secrets in the sands of time, these four unearth the mystery and truth behind the long-lost civilizations. Interestingly entertaining, Tomb of God brings forth a journey that promises to enthral the readers with excellent plotting, unanticipated twists and some of the most relatable characters. Eric Roy, the protagonist, strikes the right chord with the readers with his accentuated demeanour and his indomitable spirit. I generally find this genre a…

BlazeAuthors: Nidhi Poddar and Sushil PoddarPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 The strongest person in the world is a grieving mother that wakes up and keeps going every morning. Reading this true story was not easy, for it moved me. This story is about a little boy whose indomitable spirit doesn’t let him succumb to the obstacles that destiny throws in his path. It is also the story about a mother who is not only resilient but also audacious enough to make peace with the bitter truth so that her child can be at peace. Blaze, as the name suggests, is about the inherent burning fire that Divyansh Atman was born with.…

Against All OddsAuthor: Hetal SonpalPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 Written with absolute grit and genuine emotions, the biography of Kishore V. Sonpal is engaging and inspiring as well. Making his way through the shackles of life, Kishore Sonpal sailed in the storm only to emerge victorious in the end! This biography is an honest attempt by Mr Hetal that throws light on the indomitable spirit of his father who never gave up in spite of being pulled down again and again by the unprecedented obstacles thrown at him by life. Against All Odds is powerful, for it has anecdotes of personal experiences and also is a treasure house of wisdom. The…

Mantra YogaAuthor: Jairam SeshadriPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 One of the highlights of Hindu worship includes the chanting of mantras as these verses are believed to transfer good vibes to the mind and the soul. Mantra is a Sanskrit word that has the power to transform the overall being of an individual. Even though the practice of Hatha Yoga is more common, including Mantra Yoga in the lifestyle lifts up the spirit. Mantra Yoga is a book that highlights the need of incorporating practices of chanting mantras as they act as a powerful tool to direct the focus on yoga practice. Laced with rational and spiritual reasoning behind the idea of…

The Stranger in the MirrorAuthor: Raleysh Omprakash Mehra & Reeta Ramamurthy GuptaPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 5/5 It’s rare for me to enjoy an autobiography till the very end even if it is about a very famous person. There are two reasons why autobiographies fail to hold my attention for long- one, they are loquacious and two, they are lacklustre. The Stranger in the Mirror, however, is quite the opposite, for it not only shares interesting stories of the multi-faceted Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra but also collates anecdotes from various people, belonging to different spheres of life, who have had a varied equation with the man himself. Laced with eloquent narrative and immaculate…