Chetan Bhagat: Overnight success is nothing but 20 years of hard work
Bestselling novelist leads the global launch of his latest work, 400 Days, at 40th Sharjah International Book Fair …reports Asian Lite News
Overnight success is nothing but 20 years of hard work, underlined Chetan Bhagat, bestselling author the of2 States and Five Point Someone in a freewheeling conversation with journalist, Nasreen Abdulla, at the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2021), which runs its course at Expo Centre Sharjah until November 13.
Chetan Bhagat: Overnight success is nothing but 20 years of hard work
The Indian author, who was at SIBF 2021 for the global launch of his new book, 400 Days, was all praise for the fair, calling it “a five-star event which is free and open to all.” Holding a fully physical event of this stature as the world emerges out of the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, showed that “the human spirit will evolve. That is what books and writers are about,” said Bhagat, a columnist, screenplay writer, motivational speaker and of late, a stand-up comedian, who has been seen on the SIBF platform frequently over the past few years.
Penned during the lockdown in India, 400 Days is inspired by the real-life story of a mother’s search for her missing 12-year-old daughter, and how, with the help of a young neighbour, she continues her search long after the police have given up.
Discussing the book, the author warned parents about the danger of letting children talk to strangers on social media, advising them to remain emotionally connected with their children. “If a child is talking to a stranger more than you, that’s a sign that trouble is brewing,” said the prolific writer who admitted that 400 Days was his most challenging work as he had to strike a balance between humour and emotions and immerse himself into the mental state of the mother of a missing child.
CHETAN BHAGAT, INDIAN AUTHOR: “Being at the right place at the right time” and releasing his first novel before the age of smartphones are what helped his books become bestsellers, said Bhagat. He added: “Reading a book changes your personality; it builds your imagination, and the content stays in your memory. Memes and social media posts rarely touch you the way a book can.”
“It is not that simple to be simple,” quipped the writer who is often criticised for his use of easy-to-read vocabulary. “Like the crazy number of spices that go into Indian cooking, my books have a mix of everything from mystery to romance. I make the Indian buffet.”
Bhagat, whose four novels have been adapted for the screen, said: “Writing a book is like preparing a six-course meal while writing a screenplay is more like preparing chaat (an easy to prepare Indian fast food that blends numerous spices). Writing a book is also quite a lonely experience.”
This book distills our observations of habitual entrepreneurs. It shows you how they think, how they behave, and exactly what it is that they do so well…writes Siddhi Jain.
A good read, a cup of hot coffee and a cosy couch is the best way to enjoy the monsoons. If you plan on tackling the rainy season here are our suggestions for what you pick.
Myla: Insurrection By Arjun Rao
Malaika Menon, aka Agent Myla returns home to Calicut, Kerala to find her entire family brutally murdered. Being the tip of the spear in India’s fight against terrorism, she is no stranger to killing and death. However, the savage killings leave her shaken to her very core. On leave from her position in the Indian Army, Myla discovers a sinister plot. It appears that the murders were all aimed at flushing her out from the natural protection of the Indian Army. With her on the streets of Calicut, the perpetrators appear to have got what they wanted. Myla, alone and grieving, far from her lethal best. Best of all, she is now unprotected. Myla unearths clues that point to a conspiracy perpetrated by a far larger enemy than she has ever encountered before. A criminal enterprise so large, and so pervasive, that it has invaded every level of Indian society. Shattered by her loss, enraged by her inability to protect her loved ones, Myla decides to go after the truth. Find out what really happened, and why. She does the only thing she knows how to. The one thing that she is a master at. She picks up her gun and decides to investigate. Will she survive against the largest menace known to India? Or will they achieve what they wanted along? To put a bullet in Myla’s head. Myla’s dangerous game of cat and mouse takes her from Calicut, to Chennai, where she faces the head of the snake in a shattering frontal attack that she cannot possibly survive.
‘The Code of Manavas’ by Arpit Bakshi
‘The Code of Manavas’, is set some two million years past ad 2050, when earth as we know it ceased to exist, and so did mankind. A new race, the Manavas, now exists on Bhoomi, the erstwhile Earth, which is divided into two cities-Madhavpur and Ayudhpur. In the quiet and peaceful city of Madhavpur, a reclusive Krishna is busy with an immense task. He has to prepare a new abode for the Manavas before an impending apocalypse destroys them. He knows something that nobody else does-the Manavas are running out of time faster than they can imagine, and there are no inhabitable planets to escape to. To make matters worse, there is someone in Madhavpur who wants to destroy Krishna and subjugate each Manava. The Manavas, it seems, are doomed. Yet Krishna knows there is a slim chance of survival for the Manavas, although there is a huge price to be paid for it. Will the various factions of the Manavas unite for the greater good? Will Krishna, who saved them during the turn of the last Yuga, be able to save them now? What will be the price to pay? Enter the mythical world of Maha Vishnu and get swept up in a fast-paced suspenseful narrative.
‘Beyond a Love Story’ by Chitkala Mulye
Sameer seduced by his elder cousin, gets carried away in a physical relationship with him. Preeti, Sameer’s childhood tutor and best friend, finds solace in her bond with Sameer, which has ripened over years. However, when Sameer who is gay, finds his soul mate Abhijeet, Preeti goes through an intense emotional turmoil. This beginning in Sameer’s life, exposes him to a canvas of suffering; revealing the true meaning of love, companionship, family and sacrifice while turning the tables and bringing a twist in the tale! The story explores how true love transcends the boundaries of gender, age, and sexuality questioning the perceived notions about relationships, thus challenging the typical conventions of family system.
‘Happily Frustrated’ by Ritiqa Pachauri
Shelly (the protagonist) becomes an alcoholic after discovering that her husband of ten years (Saurabh) was gay. He had left her for another man, and it had left her heartbroken. Because of her addiction, Shelly loses her job, her friends, her sister’s support and even her parents sympathy. However, her mother did feel her pain and asks her to go on a vacation to Goa. Here, Shelly meets her aunt Polly, who slowly a d steadily tries to bring Shelly back on track. Another character who is a tarot card reader also plays an important role in Shelly’s life. However, the twist comes when Shelly returns from Goa and tells her family about aunt Polly. What’s the twist? Will Shelly overcome her pain? Will she ever be happy?
‘The Mindset of a Growing Entrepreneur’ by Harsh Joshi
What is new to you in this book is that uncertainty can be used tp your benefit if you create and deploy an entrepreneurial mindset a way of thinking about your business that captures the benefits of uncertainty. This book distils our observations of habitual entrepreneurs. It shows you how they think, how they behave, and exactly what it is that they do so well.
‘Meri Arzoo’ by Rajeev Kumar
“Meri Arzoo” has 13 different sweet stories that depict the state of mind of a human being in different circumstances of life. The Character is from a middle class family and he has to deal with many daily life problems. He has to face different phases of his life. All 13 stories are different from each other yet they all have one thing in common: A middle class person. The protagonist want to do/become something and he ends up doing something. Each story was well thought-out; you can tell that the author felt connected to each story and you can feel his presence in the narrative. The narrative maintains a steady pace throughout the book. Stories are backed with elements of failure, destiny, love, lie, truth, success and failure. Each story relates to daily life of people, while reading those stories readers will feels like it is my experience of my own journey.
Saurabh Bagaria’s Money Gone’
Capturing the intricacies of a fictional high-profile offshore money diversion scheme shrouded in secrecy and an equally high-on-action chase by Indian tax authorities, ‘Money Gone’, is a thriller novel by author and advocate Saurabh Bagaria that takes readers through overseas indulgence, tense courtrooms, and even the dark web.
Coupled with clean, natural and green eating, and various forms of exercising, the book has a four-week program. Each week has its own planned schedule of nutrition, workouts, meditation, prayers and philosophy lessons…Mehta speaks with Siddhi Jain.
An upcoming book on health and immunity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic has been penned by holistic health guru and corporate life coach Mickey Mehta and renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor, and is slated to launch later September. Titled ‘Immunity Plus’, it provides the groundwork to build your personal immunity, as well as adding to the immunity of the world.
The book, to be published by Harper Collins, broadly covers six topics, Mehta tells. “The fundamentals of correct breathing techniques; Workouts; Nutrition; Rest & Recuperation; Sensible natural Supplementation; and Cosmic Nutrition, which is the inclusion of the five elements of the Earth, Air, Water, Sky, and Fire ‘The Panchmahabhootas’ of Yogic science. It’s proven that belief can change your biology. I say that breathing can change your hormonology; meditation and prayers can change your emotions and psychology; and faith can change your physiology.”
He says: Coupled with clean, natural and green eating, and various forms of exercising, the book has a four-week program. Each week has its own planned schedule of nutrition, workouts, meditation, prayers and philosophy lessons.
“Sanjeev Kapoor, the global Super Chef, who has co-authored the book, has added lots on the immunity from the perspective of nutritious foods. The book is a Bible not simply for weight-loss and fitness, but rather for building and upholding a supreme invincible immunity.”
What prompted the authors to write the book?
“The Covid-19 breakout in early 2019 was the turning point for the book’s inception. The pandemic’s wildfire, which sprung and spread from China and affected millions worldwide, prompted me to take a major step towards raising people’s awareness about physical and psychological wellness , fitness and immunity.
“However, the seed was laid even long before, when, seeing the generic world model of bad lifestyles and rising life-threatening diseases, I commenced a research paper on immunity in conjunction with Dr. Ali Irani of Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai. So, around the initiation of the pandemic, I thought to come up with a book version of my research to benefit mankind; and thus ‘Immunity Plus’ was born,” shares Mehta, who has previously written ‘The Shoonyam Quotient’.
After reading and following the book, as one starts behaving in a much disciplined way, alters one’s lifestyle and outlook appropriately towards fitness and wellness — One would begin to lead by example. You would transform other people around you, who start seeing you beginning to enjoy the benefits of good health: a radiant smile; confident and fit aura, and high energy level throughout the day, he concludes.
The Ministry’s delegation visits Riyadh International Book Fair 2021
A delegation from the Ministry of Culture and Youth visited the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021…reports Asian Lite News
Held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the book fair takes place from October 1st to 10th at Riyadh Front. The Ministry’s delegation participated in the opening of the International Conference of Publishers and the dialogue session presented by Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
The delegation, headed by Mubarak Al Nakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and Ali Al Shaali, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary of the Heritage and Arts Sector at the Ministry, was received by Dr. Abdul Latif Al Wasl, General Manager of the Riyadh International Book Fair.
The Ministry’s delegation visits Riyadh International Book Fair 2021
Dr Abdul Latif Al Wasl briefed the attendees about the qualitative initiatives in the publishing sector, the tireless efforts of Saudi Arabia in advancing the writing industry, and the role of the Riyadh International Book Fair in supporting the knowledge and cultural renaissance to promote books and expand their reach among the intellectual community.
The Ministry’s delegation met with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), Founder and President of the Emirates Publishers Association, and Bashar Shabaro, Secretary-General of the Arab Publishers Union to strengthen cooperation and improve the publishing sector. The delegation discussed how to turn challenges into opportunities to further develop the publishing industry, especially under the circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The delegation also visited the UAE platforms participating in the book fair, including the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, The Kalima Project, Manassah Platform by the Emirati Publishers Association (EPA). They visited the Saudi pavilions including the Audiovisual media Authority (AMA), the Riyadh Literary Club, the ‘Howie’ initiative and ‘Makaniz Almakhtotat’ initiative.
MUBARAK AL NAKHI, UNDER-SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND YOUTH: “Riyadh International Book Fair is a renowned cultural event that underlines the importance of books as key tools in spreading culture and knowledge and enriching the intellectual and cognitive thinking. This annual event aims to make reading as a way of life which instills intellectualism in society. Reading is the foundation of a society and has led to cultural renaissances witnessed by many countries and societies.
“The remarkable efforts of Saudi Arabia and the curators of this book fair translate the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to support the spread of knowledge. Such initiatives strengthen the book industry, an essential engine for the advancement of people and communities culturally, intellectually and creatively.”
SILA signs 120 agreements with authors and publishers
With the signing of the new agreements, SILA will step up efforts to safeguard the intellectual property rights of publishers and writers…reports Asian Lite News
The Sharjah International Literary Agency (SILA) has signed 120 agreements with authors and publishers during the Sharjah Book Authority’s (SBA) participation at the 20th edition of the Amman International Book Fair which concluded recently in the Jordanian capital.
The first-of-its-kind literary agency in the UAE and the region, SILA was launched in October 2020 by SBA to facilitate communication among publishers, authors, translators and creatives, and regulate their operations in line with prevailing official frameworks.
SILA signs 120 agreements with authors and publishers
With the signing of the new agreements, SILA will step up efforts to safeguard the intellectual property rights of publishers and writers alike are protected, in addition to stimulating the Arabic publishing market, while also promoting Arabic literary and cultural content globally.
The SBA pavilion at the book fair in Amman welcomed large numbers of visitors, officials, and VIP’s, including Ali Al Ayed, Minister of Culture in Jordan, who was received by Fadel Hussein Bussaim, Director of SBA in the Eastern Region. During his visit, the minister was presented with a copy of The Inquisition, authored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and published by Al Qasimi Publications.
FADEL HUSSEIN BUSSAIM, DIRECTOR, EASTERN REGION,SBA: “the authority is keen on strengthening its regional presence and extend wholehearted support to Emirati authors and publishers by showcasing their works at various regional and international cultural events, as these efforts support the goals of the emirate’s cultural project as envisioned by the Ruler of Sharjah that aims to build bridges between cultures and nations. The 120 agreements align with SILA’s goals to support publishers and authors in the region mark their foray into international markets and connect them with their counterparts around the world.”
SILA signs 120 agreements with authors and publishers
The Director praised the visitor turnout at the Amman International Book Fair and the exceptional footfall experienced at the SBA pavilion. He pointed out that the high influx of reading enthusiasts and the soaring demand for books are clear indicators of recovery following the setbacks experienced by the regional publishing sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An important literary and cultural event in the Arab region, the 20th edition of the Amman International Book Fair saw the participation of more than 360 publishers from 20 countries and hosted several panel discussions, seminars, and book signing ceremonies.
“Nireeswaran” is the most celebrated of James’ works, for which he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Kerala Bhasha Institute Award and the Basheer Puruskaram…reports Asian Lite News.
Penguin Random House India said on Saturday it has acquired three new titles by critically acclaimed Malayalam writer V.J. James, to be translated into English by Ministhy S. and with the first of the novels coming out in February, 2022.
More recently, the richest and one of the most distinguished awards for literary fiction, the JCB Prize for Literature, longlisted James’ novel “Anti-Clock”, also translated by Ministhy and published by Penguin.
“Nireeswaran” is the most celebrated of James’ works, for which he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Kerala Bhasha Institute Award and the Basheer Puruskaram.
Originally published in 2014, the novel questions blind faith and ritualistic religion and provides an insight into what true spirituality is. Three rationalists, and pranksters, establish the idol of what they call an anti-god (Nireeswaran) to show people how hollow their religion is. When miracles start being attributed to Nireeswaran, and hordes turn up to worship the fake god, the trio is put in a quandary. Will they fight their own creation? Using incisive humour and satire, the novel showcases how love and spirituality are deeply interconnected.
“The Book of Exodus” is James’ impressive first novel, which won the DC Silver Jubilee Award. Kunjootty is hospitalized the same day that Susanna goes missing. There is a mystery surrounding this which unravels during the course of the novel. Filled with folklore and myths, set amidst the waterways and reeds of Kerala’s isles, and peopled with locals and outsiders with mysterious pasts, the novel has an ethereal quality to it.
The third book is a powerhouse of a novel.
Mahesh and his four friends – each named after a Pandava brother – and Panchali, or Meera, decide to look for their friend, guide, leader Freddie Robert, whom they had named Yudhisthira. Freddie had disappeared into the forest several months ago, in search of a rare new bird. Thus begins “Dattapaharam”, a rumination on solitude, man’s connection with nature, and the strings that attach us to this world.
We are proud to announce the acquisition of three new titles by critically acclaimed Malayalam writer V.J. James. These new novels will be translated from Malayalam to English by Ministhy S. and the first book will be out in February! We can't wait!https://t.co/cTsNIqAzXF
Talking about his three novels, V.J. James said: “It is my pleasure to publish three more novels after ‘Anti-Clock’ through Penguin Random House India, brilliantly translated by Ministhy S. There is a saying that each book will find its true reader. I hope that these books, too, will find their readers.”
Saying she considered it a “true privilege’ to work with a “brilliant, visionary” author, Ministhy S., an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, added: “Translating the fantastic, multiple-award winning books of James has been a wonderful experience. Each has a totally different theme and is striking in its ambition and style. Indeed, I am confident that the incisive humour, deep spirituality, iconoclastic perspectives and the all-pervasive humanity in the books will find fans across the world.”
The initiative also seeks to focus on certain specialties and modern science to which the UAE makes significant contributions globally…reports Asian Lite News
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has launched a special new initiative to provide 50 grants for Emirati publishers to support them publishing or translating 50 books in 2022 – the UAE’s Year of the 50th.
The Bridges to Publishing in the Year of the 50th initiative was announced at the 12th edition of the Al Ain Book Fair (AABF), which is currently taking place at Zayed Central Library until 30 September, and forms part of ALC’s contribution to the celebrations for the UAE’s Golden Jubilee year.
Golden Jubilee Grant Initiative 2
The grants are aimed at enriching local libraries with diverse and distinguished publications, in line with the major trends that have underpinned the UAE’s development in the last 50 years. The initiative also seeks to focus on certain specialties and modern science to which the UAE makes significant contributions globally. In addition to promoting the publishing and translating of books, including audible and electronic, in the UAE, the Bridges to Publishing in the Year of the 50th initiative will also extend professional and financial support to local publishing houses.
HE DR. ALI BIN TAMIM, CHAIRMAN, ALC: “From the heart of Al Ain Book Fair, we are celebrating Emirati cultural heritage over the past 50 years, with the Bridges to Publishing in the Year of the 50th initiative launched to highlight the UAE’s major future trends in the fields of future studies, space science, and renewable energy. It also reflects the continuous efforts of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to support local publishing houses.”
The Bridges to Publishing in the Year of the 50th initiative is the outcome of merging the ‘Spotlight on Rights’ and ‘Jusoor or Bridges’ programmes, which were launched in 2009 and 2010. The integration of these two programmes aims to strengthen Arabic content across all segments of society, through translations of books into Arabic or by transforming publications into readable and audible e-books.
Mouza Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of ALC, said: “After the selection of 300 books to be supported as part of the ‘Spotlight on Rights’ programme, it is now our pleasure to launch this initiative as a platform to support local publishing houses. It will provide grants for books and translations that focus on the UAE’s strategies and vital projects, in addition to establishing bridges that will enrich Arabic content across the local and Arab publishing world.”
The Bridges to Publishing in the Year of the 50th initiative covers three segments: writing, research and studies; translations; and readable and audible e-books. In the first segment, ALC will work with local publishing houses on specialised studies and research that highlights the UAE’s experience and foundations of success. In the second, future studies’ translations will be published, with priority given to the studies that discuss the UAE as a model of research, analysis, and comparison. The third segment includes transforming the dedicated-for-youth books in various categories into readable and audible e-books.
Through this new initiative, ALC aims to promote intellectual rights in the Arab world, support local and Arab publishers, enrich Arabic content, and foster the Centre’s strategic goals of reviving the Arabic language, and pioneer its position in cultural and creative fields.
“Ghosh challenges readers to reckon with war, empire, and genocide in order to fully grasp the world-devouring logics that underpin ecological collapse…reports Asian Lite News.
Amitav Gosh is one of the most accomplished Indian writers. Before the 18th century, every single nutmeg in the world originated around a group of small volcanic islands east of Java, known as the Banda Islands. As the nutmeg made its way across the known world, it became immensely valuable – in 16th century Europe, just a handful could buy a house. It was not long before European traders became conquerors, and the indigenous Bandanese communities – and the islands themselves – would pay a high price for access to this precious commodity. Yet the bloody fate of the Banda Islands forewarns of a threat to our present day.
Amitav Ghosh argues that the nutmeg’s violent trajectory from its native islands is revealing of a wider colonial mindset which justifies the exploitation of human life and the natural environment, and which dominates geopolitics to this day.
Written against the backdrop of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests, and interweaving discussions on everything from climate change, the migrant crisis, and the animist spirituality of indigenous communities around the world, “The Nutmeg’s Curse” offers a sharp critique of Western society, and reveals the profoundly remarkable ways in which human history is shaped by non-human forces.
“What do you do when the subject matter of life on this planet seems to lack . . . life? Your read ‘The Nutmeg’s Curse’, which eschews the leaden language of climate expertise in favour of the re-animating powers of mythology, etymology, and cosmology,” says Harvard University’s Naomi Oreskes, a professor of the History of Science.
“Ghosh challenges readers to reckon with war, empire, and genocide in order to fully grasp the world-devouring logics that underpin ecological collapse.
It’s widely recognized that the climate crisis is multi-dimensional, yet American cultural conversations about it are mostly stuck in its scientific, technological, and economic dimensions. In this tour de force, Amitav Ghosh defiantly moves the conversation into the realms of history, politics and culture, insisting that we will never resolve our planetary crisis until we acknowledge that the “great acceleration” of the past fifty years is part of a larger historical pattern of omnicide.
“For centuries, the dominant global powers have seen Earth — its plants, its animals, and its non-white peoples — as brute objects: mute, without agency, and available for the taking and killing. The solution to the climate crisis, Ghosh insists, is not injecting particles into the stratosphere to block the sun, or even to build a bevy of solar farms (as important as the latter is). Rather, the solution lies in re-engaging with the vital aspects of life, in all its capaciousness, and in doing so move past our long history of destruction and into true sustainability,” Oreskes adds.
Amitav Ghosh was born in Calcutta in 1956. He grew up in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. He studied at the universities of Delhi and Oxford and published the first of eight novels, “The Circle of Reason”, in 1986. The first novel in his Ibis trilogy, “Sea of Poppies”, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He received the Jnanpith Award in 2018.
If you are reading this, then we have something in common…. Whether it’s a love of getting crafty, meticulously organizing or making fun-shaped snacks! …writes Siddhi Jain.
There is no speculated time for reading, but the pandemic era is surely a chance. As the world unlocks, there is a need to upgrade and upskill oneself. Let these books be your companions and coaches in a post-pandemic world.
‘Keep Sharp: How to Build a Better Brain at Any Age’ by Sanjay Gupta
An exciting new science-driven guide to protecting your mind from decline. This book includes a 12-week brain training program. An essential guide to keeping your brain young, healthy and sharp from neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. Keep Sharp is the only owner’s manual you will need to keep your brain young and healthy at any age!
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
With an IKIGAI like magic, Matt Haig’s reflections on hope, survival, and the messy miracle of being alive wraps around us like a warm blanket on an ice-cold night. The book is a collection of life rafts that have kept the author afloat and he hopes with utmost sincerity that some of them would carry us to a dry land too.
‘You Can Coach’ by Siddharth Rajsekar
Currently ranking in the top Amazon Book Bestsellers, You Can Coach aims to redefine the education system by creating a new breed of teachers, coaches, and mentors who will be implementers. The book decodes all the steps for experts to successfully plan, launch, and grow a digital coaching business to six-figures a month. Siddharth is one of India’s top digital coaches and wants to change the way we learn after his own experience as a student. Filled with practical strategies and principles, this information has already helped over 11,000 experts from across the world and created numerous success stories. Apart from his own experience in digital coaching, the book also draws on the experiences of the world’s best coaches and mentors through interviews with Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, Blair Singer and Dr Demartini among others.
‘Tap to Tidy: Organising, Crafting and Creating Happiness in a Messy World’ by Stacey Solomon
If you are reading this, then we have something in common…. Whether it’s a love of getting crafty, meticulously organizing or making fun-shaped snacks! I find it hard to sit still but losing myself in a craft project or tidying a drawer is my form of meditation. It’s a chance for me to forget about the things going on in the world around me for a minute. I hope this book helps you to lose yourself for a moment, too — and that you enjoy reading it and even having a go at some of the bits inside.
‘Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviour’ by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg
In Get Out of Your Own Way, authors Goulston and Goldberg unmask deep-seated self-defeating behaviours rooted in our childhood experiences of being alone and defenceless. The underlying causes of self-defeating behaviours are explained with simple action tips to achieve the victory of impulse over awareness, immediate gratification over lasting satisfaction and relief over resolution. While it may not be easy to recognize or admit that we get in our own way, and harder still to take responsibility for getting out of our way, if we are smart, resolving life issues can be achieved with simple, yet powerful and proven strategies without visiting an expensive therapist!
‘The Rape Trial’ begins with the revelation that, many years ago, Rahul Satyabhagi had indeed raped Avni Rambha…writes Siddhi Jain.
Reading is one of the most joyous activities to the people especially during the pandemic era. From poetry on the vibrance of ‘letting go’, a reference guide on married lives, and a sprinkle of self-love and even mythological fiction, these five books by forthcoming authors are on our bookshelf this summer.
‘Ceasing to Disown’ by Sunny Ramesh Sadnani
‘Ceasing to Disown’ is the very persona of the similar antithesis that life is. It is a collection of poetries that serve as a reminder of what we have found solace in or maybe continue to hopelessly endure, not for a few moments or days, but for perhaps years and decades and what we choose to not let go regardless of the consequences. Maybe even feel vibrant about it! In this book, Sunny has attempted to relay his emotions with respect to family, parents, romantic alliances, failure, redemptions, loneliness, anger, sex, the natural environment, diversity. And then some more.
‘The Rape Trial’ by Bidisha Ghosal
‘The Rape Trial’ begins with the revelation that, many years ago, Rahul Satyabhagi had indeed raped Avni Rambha. Rahul has long since been acquitted and Avni had left the country for her peace of mind. Now, it looks like he’s about to get away with it again. Rhea, Amruta and Hitaishi are beyond furious. What unfolds is a thriller worth a read.
‘The Last War and Other Stories’ by Sambhit Daspatnaik
‘The Last War and Other Stories’ is a collection of science fiction stories written by Sambit Daspatnaik. In the main story “The Last War”, the author takes his readers back to a time of post Mahabharata War era, featuring the descendants of the Pandavas, a mammoth invasion by the Gandharvas and a desperate attempt by the protagonists Senapati Agrasen and princess Charulata to save the city of Moenjo and Hariapa. The rest of the short science fiction stories cover different genres of sci-fi from space travel, solar systems to alien planets.
‘Love Your Wife’ by Soumitra Singh Thakur
An insightful reference manual to have a joyous married life. This companion of love and devotion will invoke deep thoughts in you. It will reveal the true husband inside you, a husband, who you don’t show to anyone, not even to your wife, maybe. This book will share such an insightful perspective of human relations between a husband and a wife that will give you an outcome of joyous married life in this materialistic world. If used effectively, this book will serve as a lifelong practical reference manual and a workbook for all the world’s erring husbands and all eligible bachelors to efficiently handle all the difficult phases of their married lives.
‘Self Love — The Power Within You’ by Aaira Kaurr
This book makes you aware of a miracle ingredient necessary for your flowering and becoming the best version of yourself, self love. If you don’t love your own self first, you can’t love anyone else, be it a person , a profession or anything else. No matter, how much effort you put in or how good or brilliant you are, you will be disappointed in the end in all your ventures, in spite of your high achievements. Without self love, others will enjoy and exploit your talents, you won’t. This book not only explains the concept of self love, but gives you a systematic framework for imbibing it in your life. In fact you already have it in you, you just need to turn it on.
