The exploration of mythology, or Itihaasa as it is more authentically and preferentially called, can often be a daunting task. One must scour through countless books and resources to find those rare gems that present these ancient tales in their unadulterated form, preserving the narrative without discounting its essence. Through the deft efforts of 10 distinct writers, Aryaa: An Anthology of Vedic Women illuminates the lives of 10 remarkable women who have left an indelible mark on the annals of history.
Vivek Shukla talks about his book, The Immortal Secret Mantra – The Recipe | Interview
Author Vivek Shukla is a man of many talents. As can be gauged from his 37+ years of corporate work experience, his area of expertise is Telecom Operations, however, it is writing that fuels his imagination. Writing is the passion that keeps his creative juices flowing, and it is in pursuit of this goal that the author has most recently come up with his debut book, The Immortal Secret Mantra – The Recipe.
Delirium | Lauren Oliver | Book Review
There was once a time when love was considered to be a good thing. It was welcomed and celebrated. But that was until the scientists found its cure. Earlier people never understood the dangers of love. The disasters that it brings and the way it controls your entire being. This love – a deliria – offers no respite, no hope for those who are inflicted. But things have changed now. Scientists have finally found the cure for love. All the residents of the United States are encouraged, or more so compelled to take the cure when they turn eighteen.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous | Ocean Vuong | Book Review
In On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Little Dog writes a letter in English to his uneducated Vietnamese mother at a time when he is in his late twenties. He documents the history of his family that begins much before he was born, with the story of his grandmother Lan. Like many Vietnamese families of that era, their story too is rooted in war. It starts with the war and it is the war that dictates what eventually becomes of them.
Secrets of Lord Shani | Guru Gaurav Arya | Book Review
For the uninitiated, Lord Shani is the God of Justice. In Hindu dharma, he is known as the karmaphalaadhikari or the dandadhikari as he is the deity in charge of the fruits of our karma. He is the great discipliner and he doesn’t like injustice, thereby by the powers bestowed upon him, he gives us the good or bad results of our previous karmas. It is because of these powers and the nature of the deity that he is also feared by many, and rightly so. This book delves into the many secrets of the Lord.
The Children on the Hill | Jennifer McMahon | Book Review
The Children on the Hill is a mystery-laced horror that will take you to the world of psychiatry and asylums, children and monsters, and the people who create them. It weaves the horrific scientific era (of insane experiments on live humans) together with the adventures, mysteries, and fantasy worlds of children. It effortlessly combines the past and the present, all linked with monstrosities of a level that are difficult to imagine in this world and time.
Crying in H Mart | Michelle Zauner | Book Review
After the death of her mother, Michelle understood what being truly loved meant. The link to her Korean roots (and the love-filled Korean food) that had kept her rooted all these years was suddenly gone. Crying in H Mart is a memoir about grief and loss, about growing up Korean American, about trying to find your roots in a reality that is constantly shifting. It’s a book about losing oneself and about finding oneself too.
Life After Dubai | Carmen Lopez | Book Review
The middle-east especially Dubai has always held a special charm for Indians, maybe because so many of us know people who have been there, or know people who live and work there.
Anyways, even behind all the glitz and glamour of the Dubai life, there is something else – a life that is difficult to adjust to and yet even more difficult to forsake. The comforts, the luxury, and the high money – it all has a big price. And that’s exactly what this book, Life After Dubai tries to tell us.
Shredding Shraddha | Anuj Tikku | Book Review
Shraddha Walkar was a 27-year-old Indian woman who was murdered by her live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, and later, her body was disposed of by chopping into 35 pieces and then discarding these parts in the Chhatarpur forest area over a period of multiple days. In his latest book Shredding Shraddha, author Anuj Tikku brings to us a novel inspired by the true events that led to the murder.
Dark Roads of Dehra | Shivam Saxena | Book Review
Dark Roads of Dehra is a collection of short horror stories and there are 10 such stories in the collection. While most of the stories are based in and around the area of Dehradun and Mussoorie, thereby justifying the title, a few others take us on a ride to different parts of the world.
Thank You for Listening | Julia Whelan | Book Review
Once a mega Hollywood star in the making, Sewanee’s life came crashing down after an unfortunate accident. Now years later, Sewanee has finally found her place in the audiobook industry and is a successful audiobook narrator. But she doesn’t do romance, because of the simple fact that she doesn’t believe any of it to be true. However, when it is revealed that a now-dead romance author, whom Sewanee dearly loved and admired, wants her to pair up with the hottest male voice in the world of romance – Brock McNight, Sewanee reluctantly agrees.
The Immortal Secret Mantra – The Recipe | Vivek Shukla | Book Review
In the year 1803 AD, a young boy Ramanand, inspired by the many lessons imparted by his father – a renowned Sanskrit scholar Pandit Ramdev Shastri, develops an undying curiosity about immortality and its hidden secrets. Thus, what began as a short discourse on the seven immortals mentioned in Sanatana Dharma soon becomes a subject that consumes his day and night.