Written on the WindAuthor: Anuradha Kumar-JainPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 4/5 Written on the Wind is a poignant tale of desires, love, hope and courage. Revolving around the lives of two women who are very different from each other yet a victim of somewhat similar circumstances, this work of Literature is set in the pre-partition era when women were merely meant to cater to the needs of the menfolk in their family. Whether it was their husband or father or brother, the job of women was to listen and follow their instructions like a dutiful child. They knew that their life was a compromise with destiny and they seldom had the thought…

Myths and LegendsAuthor: Sowmya RajendranPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 5/5 Myths and legends act as a foundation for learning and understanding modern Literature. While many don’t believe in knowing about the myths, I feel they are important as they narrate the ancient tales about the world and the experiences of mankind. This, in return, rekindles our curiosity to know more about the past that eventually acts as the compass for our future. Therefore, Myths and Legends is just the book that will re-tell every legend and help the readers take a plunge into folk Literature. A compilation of 22 stories from across the world, Myths and Legends comprises the stories on creation,…

The Curious Case of the Boarding SchoolAuthor: Mahanaz MirPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3/5 When children are sent to the boarding school, they become more independent and lead a life on their own terms. Even though the rules and regulations bind them a little, the choices experience freedom, for the parents are not there to keep an eye on them. That’s why they say that the best friends are found in the hostel. The Curious Case of the Boarding School is a story of a young boy, Sameer, who struggles to come to grips with the new reality- his life in Kingston High Boarding School. After an elaborate affair of trying to…

26/11 BraveheartAuthor: Praveen K. TeotiaPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 4/5 Brave men rejoice in adversity just like the brave soldiers triumph in war. One of the deadliest attacks on India is still the 26/11 attack in Mumbai. The eerie silence of the night was penetrated by some ear-piercing sounds that not only left the listeners aghast but also made them bleed. Who could be better at narrating the minute-by-minute experience of what went into getting the situation under control meanwhile putting so many lives at stake than the person who witnessed this massacre up close? 26/11 Braveheart is a heart-wrenching account by the ex-MARCOS Praveen K. Teotia. He shares how a soldier…

Batla HouseAuthor: Karnal SinghPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 4.5/5 What happened in 2008 would have remained a mystery or a half-baked truth had this book not come out in the public domain. Just like how Praveen Teotia wrote a heart-wrenching account of his deadly encounter with the terrorists in the Taj, Karnal Singh, the officer-in-charge of the raid in Flat no. 18, Batla House, pens down a spine chilling thriller that narrates the actual events that led to this encounter. Several lives were risked and blood was shed too. This event is still remembered for the political bigotry and the influence of the top organizations. Yet, in spite of so much that…

Bhagwad Gita for MillennialsAuthor: Bibek DebroyPublisher: Bibek DebroyRating: 4/5 Life is mostly busy for the millennials. The work pressure and the inability to find adequate time to brush up the roots often misleads the mind into believing that one can make do without certain important life lessons. I am not a preacher and thus, I shall not preach whether one should read Bhagwad Gita or not. I would just write about the plus points and the negative points of the book in question. Bhagwad Gita for Millennials is a handy self-help guide to understanding the scripture in an easy and fast way. The book offers translated versions of the life…

The Vision of Wisdom: Kabir (Selected Sakhis)Translator: Chandan SinhaPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 4.5/5 I have always been fascinated by the idea of small verses that often project a stark reality that we fail to notice while living this chaotic life. Some time back, I had got a chance to read Looking Within: Life Lessons by Lal Ded. I was thrilled to read such a beautiful book and now I got a chance to read the selected (also translated) sakhis by Kabir. It was such a quaint experience reading these short musings that store so much wisdom and learning. The Vision of Wisdom neatly translates the emotion and the purpose of the…

The Battle of BelongingAuthor: Shashi TharoorPublisher: Aleph Book CompanyRating: 4/5 Much like how ‘Why I am Hindu?’ turned out to be, ‘The Battle of Belonging’ traces the same pathway but eventually, leads to a different outcome. This book is like a convex lens, housing all the information and then finally converging to a point that, surprisingly, makes complete sense. Just like his previous books, this book too divides information into various segments- the actual point of view, the general point of view and the expected point of view. In other words, Mr Tharoor discusses the theory and practice of patriotism, its origin and its purpose. In the next part, he…

50 Desi Super DrinksAuthor: Lovneet BatraPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4.5/ 5 50 Desi Super Drinks is a really helpful book that offers a collection of 50 easy-to-make drinks that will not only keep you well-nourished but also boost your overall well-being. Drinks like Aam Panna, Jeera water, Masala chai, Sugarcane juice, Thandai, Sattu, Buttermilk, Cinnamon milk and Tulsi tea are some of the most common household drinks that everyone prefers according to the varying seasons. But seldom do we delve deeper into knowing the quality or the nourishment factor associated with the different ingredients that make up these drinks. This book not only contains the recipes but also enlists the health…

AnamikaAuthor: Meghnad DesaiPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 3/5 Collating varied virtues of women, Meghnad Desai brings forth a tale of bravery, wisdom, choices and desires- all this amidst the tumultuous hubbub of the war. With blood racing through the body of each character and courage making them all to take some epoch-making decisions, Anamika offers an insight into the lives of the warriors and the silent witnesses who compromise a lot more than just their freedom. Anamika is the nameless, for she adorns so many roles gracefully. Married to Abhi, the son of an affluent merchant of Ranipur, she soon becomes the victim of fate when a fatal accident blemishes her chances…