Vultures of ParadiseAuthor: Atulya MisraPublication: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 Vultures of Paradise uses a fictional narrative to illustrate the importance of safeguarding the environment from the ill-treatment meted out to it by humankind. The story traces Neha’s life, her choices, her learnings and her quest to redeem her lost self. When she finds herself in a quandary, her conscience is probed by the prevailing circumstances of the world and she is let onto the path of atonement. While she battles with the vultures who prey upon the environment, she also realizes the importance of being grateful and respecting what nature has given to all people. Written using an easy narrative, the…

The Elephant at the Dinner TableAuthor: Amit NagpalPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 Self-help books that guide people in their journey to success are much in demand these days. Just before beginning The Elephant at the Dinner Table, I had finished reading The Authenticity Code and what I realized was that the two books had a similar scaffold but a very different approach. The Elephant at the Dinner Table uses a metaphorical idiom (elephant in the room) as its title and that probably is the USP of the book. It throws light on one of the most important issues that forms the pivot of everyone’s life- success. The ideal mantra to achieve…

The Psychology of a PatriotAuthor: Saket SumanPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 A patriot is a person who can go to any lengths to defend his/her country against denigrators or any other form of evil that threatens the integrity and unity of people. But sadly, people have misunderstood the true meaning of this term just like how they have misunderstood several other terms and use them for their own benefit and according to their own convenience. The Psychology of a Patriot is a bold account that provides an insight into the mindset and belief of a true patriot who thinks rationally and doesn’t fear to call a spade a spade. Written by…

Bhog NaivedyaAuthor: Sujata S. RajanPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4/5 If you have watched Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan on Netflix and enjoyed every ounce of information that is shared in that television series, you are sure to enjoy Bhog Naivedya. Bhog Naivedya is a comprehensive account of food offerings made to various deities that are worshipped throughout the length and breadth of our country. Knowing that India is a land of diverse cultures, it wouldn’t be wrong to expect a different form of devotion in different parts of this holy land. Bhog Naivedya has been divided into various chapters where each chapter highlights the process and the type of food that…

The Don’t Diet PlanAuthor: Kavita DevganPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 5/5 As Indians, our obsession with weight loss and diet plans is understandable. Our mindset is fine-tuned to get momentarily inspired by the success stories and then let ourselves get misled by random guides that promise instant weight loss. However, it is imperative to consult an expert as every ‘body’ is different and the path to weight loss will be different for each individual. Kavita Devgan’s The Don’t Diet Plan is a comprehensive guide to losing weight by ‘not following any diet plan’. There are smaller aspects to healthy eating than focusing on fad diets and click-bait diet plans. The author helps…

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…