The Nest of the RecluseAuthor: Suchita MalikPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 Relationships are complicated. If not nurtured well, the roots can collapse into sudden death. Exploring the pathos of human emotions and tumultuous situations that uproot the beliefs and faith of many, The Nest of the Recluse traces the life of a family that sails amidst the terrible whirlpool of conflicting ideas and notions. Five characters who are determined to cross the bridge as they deem right come face-to-face in this novel when art and spirituality converge! Shubhojit and Yashodhra differ in their opinions and approach towards life. While Shubhojit finds solace in tracing his roots and finding a stable settlement…

Lose Fat, Get FittrAuthor: Jitendra ChoukseyPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3/5 Self-help books on diet and weight control swarm the market like bees these days. There are so many authors/ dieticians/ nutritionists to choose from and there are so many ways in which the same information is being presented. It’s an embarrassment of riches! Lose Fat, Get Fittr is another such attempt that aims to guide the readers about weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Busting several myths associated with food and habits, the author deftly brings out the essence of simple living and a balanced diet. Stressing on the importance of exercise/ physical activity, this book breaks down health into several…

20 Millionaires Under 30Author: Sophia GrahamPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 3.5/5 Who doesn’t want to become rich! Since the world runs on money, it is imperative for each one of us to identify a way to make money and spend our winter comfortably! While no one breathes a word about the process that is actually involved in becoming rich, several non-fiction books that comprise the life stories of famous and successful people tend to provide a blueprint of the mindset that is required to ace the test. Based on a similar concept, 20 Millionaires Under 30 is a collection of 20 inspiring stories of struggle, hard work, persistence, mental strength and indomitable…

Mindful Zen HabitsAuthor: Marc Reklau & Manuel VillaPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 Mindful Zen Habits is a neat book that focuses on relying on self for holistic development of mind and soul. Each day promises new learning and each chapter in the book promises to send the readers into ‘zen mode’. The realization of who we are and how we are capable of communicating with our mind and body don’t take long to seep in. In fact, the book busts several notions that people advocate otherwise. Mindful Zen Habits offers a 30-day course-like structure. There are 30 habits that aim at relieving mental as well as emotional tension. Right from allowing…

Marriage: 100 Stories Around India’s Favourite RitualAuthor: Devdutt PattanaikPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 The truth about mythology still invites insurmountable opinions that are based not only on religious beliefs but also on the notions that are perpetuated in our society from the time of our birth. Devdutt Pattanaik is known to highlight the relevance of mythology in the present world and establish connections with the characters in order to understand their reasoning and convictions. His new book ‘Marriage’ is a collection of 100 short tales from our past that speak about various rituals, customs, beliefs, sacrifices and values. Beautifully blazoned using pen and ink illustrations, Marriage comprises several sections that highlight…

RukminiAuthor: Saiswaroopa IyerPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4.5/5 With a magnificent cover and an intriguing plotline, Rukmini is mythological fiction that is based on the life of one of the fiercest and bold women of that time, Rukmini, Krishna’s wife. Rukmini is a character in mythology who is seldom spoken about or discussed. Her indomitable spirit is praised yet her choices are questioned and critically judged. This book presents the readers with an account of what transpired behind so many decisions that Rukmini took right from the one of eloping with Krishna and standing by his side at times of trouble. Even though Rukmini’s marriage with Krishna was on the cards, her…

Don’t Fall Through CracksAuthor: Sid SanghviPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 3/5 The Indian Education System is flawed and it is a bleak reality from which no one can shy away. When we were in school, we did question the content being taught to us but those questions never made it past our lips! Now, students have started questioning the authorities. The pandemic brought about a great technological revolution and that served as the last nail in the coffin for the students, for they found it/ are finding it extremely difficult to cope with the voluminous syllabus that actually doesn’t teach them any practical life skills! Don’t Fall Through Cracks is a straightforward…

When the Wildflowers BloomAuthor: Rupa BhullarPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 4/5 Wildflowers symbolize happiness and optimism. When wildflowers bloom, quite literally they make their surroundings look bright and colourful. They aren’t planted intentionally; they grow more by accident. Using this symbolism, ‘When Wildflowers Bloom’ presents us Tara, a wildflower who struggles in her marriage for 17 long years and finally decides to take a leap of faith when she abandons the despair and embraces uncertainty. Tara, Tej’s wife, is often looked down upon by her husband just because she doesn’t work (outside the house). While she carries a patient and polite exterior, Tara is also the one who manages the household chores…

The Great Indian Rope TrickAuthor: Ruskin BondPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3/5 Ruskin Bond is known for his simple writing style yet quite impactful imagery that lends the readers a much-desired virtual vacation to the mountains and valleys that bloom with the fragrance of daffodils and roses. ‘The Great Indian Rope Trick’ is an anthology of 29 stories-both long and short- that elicit emotional overflow of nostalgia of those golden old days when people were simple and knew how to find happiness in the littlest things. Whether it is about his trip to Badrinath or vast collection of plants that Ruskin Bond holds so dear, each story presents a figment of his…

Perfect ParentingAuthor: Sushant KalraPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 Parenting is more challenging when one embarks on this journey. For the ones who are just armchair critics, parenting might seem exciting and fun but seldom do parents share the nitty-gritty of the complex web of judgements, peer pressure and parenting problems so openly. Hence, it becomes all the more overwhelming for the new parents to choose the ‘right way’ of parenting and execute the role in the ‘perfect way’. Perfect Parenting is more like an oxymoron, for there is no sure shot or foolproof way of parenting. Every child is different and so is every set of parents. A lot of methods…