Navaratri: When Devi Comes HomeEditors: Bibek Debroy and Anuradha GoyalPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 5/5 One of the most awaited times of the year in India is that of Navaratri when Indians fast and worship nine goddesses for nine days and celebrate the victory of good over evil. It is during this time when people participate in various celebratory gatherings/ events and enjoy time with their loved ones too. Sadly, not all of us know the significance of celebrating this festival. ‘Navaratri’, published by Rupa Publications, explores the origin of this festival and traces the various ways and customs according to which the people celebrate this festival. Whether it is celebrating through…

‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’Author: Jas KohliPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 4/5 Jas Kohli has always entertained me with his close-to-reality narrative and smooth language. In ‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’, too, he brings forth a story full of extravaganza, pomp and show. Amidst these exaggerated moments, life rolls the dice for Rahejas and things turn topsy-turvy. Invited to an ostentatiously costly and luxurious wedding, Reeti, the profligate wife, starts spending her days and nights planning for being the showstopper at someone else’s wedding. Meanwhile, her simple yet fabulist husband spends his time saving the environment and living a simple life. The winds change their course when the couple’s son uncovers an unexpected truth about his…

Demons and DemonessesAuthor: Priya NarayananPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 4/5 Since our childhood, we have been hearing stories involving asuras, rakshasas and other forms of evil spirits. Most often their bad qualities were projected in every story and as children, we were taught how these demons and demonesses were always ‘bad’. Demons and Demonesses brings forth the demons and demonesses from mythology in a different light. The author deftly highlights the intelligence, wit and circumstances that formed these beings who were always misjudged. Present from time immemorial, asuras and rakshasas were never known for their positive qualities. In this book, the author cherry picks 17 demons and demonesses and throws light on…

Indigo SunAuthor: Rupa BhullarPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 2.5/5 After having given Rupa Bhullar’s When the Wildflowers Bloom a try, it was difficult to come to grips with the fact that Indigo Sun is her work too. Indigo Sun was published in 2018. It describes the transformative journey of a young NRI, Maya. Set in Rajasthan, the story explores the pathos of life, the beautiful odyssey of a few strangers who become friends for life and the eventual jaunt towards finding a purpose. The story pans around the life of Maya and her quest to find herself during her solo travel to Rajasthan. She meets a few people who help her realign…

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…