Pens and Places

  Relishing in the era of this precious ‘Serviceberry’ is a totally different experience Dr. Robin has given through this book. This is my first read in the field of environmental science which focuses on simple messages using factual work. This book focuses on the art of gift economy. Author has shown the natural trend of enjoying abundance in the most elementary ways. Different plants with its innumerable cultural importance, honoring of seasonal farming, the selfless offering by plants and the same by many contributors like birds, bees, wind, sun, soil, microorganisms and many more - everything contributes to the planet in their own way. This gratitude flows towards the plant elders and radiates to the rain, to the sunshine, to the improbability of bushes spangled with morsels of sweetness in a world that can be bitter. Author emphasizes on the grateful offering a plant has to give, when nobody has any claim to these berries and still, anyone can have in their bucket.  The ...

Can we really pin this precious day down on the pages of a man-made calendar? Honestly, I didn’t even know in my childhood that there’s specifically a DAY decided for Mothers, all around the globe. I am not even sure now that when I am wishing my mother on this occasion, does she think of me less or more? I mean, for all those years, when she really needed the appreciation while carelessly running behind my needs and demands and tantrums and teenager-phases, I was not there for her to wish  - “Hey mom, Happy Mother’s Day!”. Either I was too shy, or too irresponsible to consider a day to take account of her selfless efforts of motherhood. I am not saying I was a troublesome daughter, but the act of cherishing someone’s actions in words was not taught to us. But with time, with real adulthood and responsibilities, now when I look back to all those lost thirty “Mother’s Day” - when I didn’t wish her, I feel I should go back and hug her tightly, and tell her only two words - “Thank you...

“A Book of Simple Living” is the simplest form of nature’s bliss anyone can read from the treasures of Ruskin Bond. This book is, though, a brief note from the hills, but can leave a greater impact in every reader’s mind.  Some notes are from the author's earlier lifestyle, some are from his existing mundane yet pleasurable life, and some are the reminders for people like us to enjoy the little moments. What I love the most is the ease with which Bond has portrayed his observations. You won’t believe it, I got to know so many wildflower species through his piece, and now I am more eager to find those little shrubs in the mountains, whenever I get a chance to visit mountains.  I thoroughly enjoyed the elementary rhythms through Bond’s words. And the snippets like this, will surely keep someone’s heart warm and cozy, anytime, anywhere. -  “It’s the simple things in life that keep us from going crazy. They contribute more to our general happiness and health than acts of pass...

Ann Patchett has my heart. I never expected These Precious Days to be so engaging and wholesome. One of my friends had given a detailed and enthusiastic review of the book, and in that moment, I hoped to feel the same way she did—her gleeful response was contagious. I can’t thank her enough for introducing me to this amazing author. These Precious Days feels like a warm hug on a winter afternoon, as if Ann is sitting right in front of me, sharing the beautiful little moments of her life. She invites us into her home, her bookstore, her personal lifestyle, her relationships, her friendships, her writing, her travel therapy, her decisions—so much and more. It felt like we were having nostalgic conversations, sitting on a balcony, sipping tea, and reflecting on the wonders of this life. What captivated me most throughout the book was her approach to storytelling—the way she explains everything with such honest ease. I’ll certainly be picking up more of her work, to continue immersing my...

  As Dasgupta quoted - “To be Ahalya, who can be neither possessed nor forsaken”, this art-work is no less than a poetic remembrance of the beauty of Ahalya. The first of “The Sati Series” depicts the behind the scenes of the original story that the world knows. Through this mythological retelling of a different perspective of Ahalya’s story, the author has incredibly decorated the words for the utmost creation by Brahma.I especially loved the literary presentation of everything described in this book. The character “Ahalya” is so vividly articulated in bold and fresh feminist perspective. The reader can clearly see the reflections of complex prowess. I am now thrilled to read the remaining tales of Panch Kanyas written by Dasgupta.

  Here I am again, reading Matt Haig, and I am in awe of this comfortness that he provided through this journey. This is the first time I felt that he is upfront, showing his dark side and traumatic phases to the world. This is the first time it felt like he is in-front of me, giving me his best life lessons to follow. This is the first time he is talking to me in non-fictional terms. As the title suggests “The Comfort Book”, this masterpiece is your philosophical short bible to comply with. His favorite books, music, movies and more, his comparisons of mundane dilemmas with legendary stories, his approach to overcoming dark thoughts, his tini-tiny advice, everything seems so soothing to the mortal body. This personal journal felt like a warm hug to my much needed soul.  I think I should read this book, every once in a while, just to make sure I am enough.

  This is my first ever book read in the “Parenting” genre and I am totally appalled with the facts that I have not known all along since my childhood. I consider Philippa Perry’s work not only applicable to parenting but as a general thumb rule for every relationship out there with humans.  I am extremely privileged and fortunate that I got the best ever parents and grand-parents, who not only took care of every intricate detail of my mental well-being, but also supported me in every aspect of my life. I obviously don't remember my early childhood days, but from the moment that I recall, it's always them on whom I relied for my every need. And that’s what I have learned in this book about how we should take care of our inner child’s thoughts. This book is an amalgamation of pre and post parenting journeys, and you will not regret encountering enormous facts about psychological facts of the human brain.  This book is divided into six sections. First one explains the legac...

  I don't know if it's because of the ideologies of Rama or the remembrance of my Baba’s lessons, that I tend to pick again and again this story to read by different authors in different forms.  This book is another exemplary representation of Ramayana by another renowned author. Every book has its own delegation to recite this great epic in its own rendition, and this piece is quite different from all that I had read till now.  The unknown and unheard that I had read in Sita Ramayana by Devdutt Pattnaik was intriguing and factful, but when I was comparing the facts of Rishi Valmiki’s epic, I couldn’t find anything new. But the only thing that kept me glued to read was the categorization of context, settings, personalities, events and eventualities. Author has mentioned each and every aspect with thorough research and then articulated in a way to untangle every phase of the epic. Be it personality of the character in Ramayana, occurrence of events, governance of Ram Rajya...

  Being a literary fan of Jhumpa Lahiri’s work, I am always attracted to every creation of her. This time, this book felt different. It was like a calm confrontation of the chaos that happened with any writer/learner, who tried to indulge oneself into the stranger yet passionate world of other literature. The author is not used to presenting herself in autobiographical glimpses, in any form of her writings. But through this small showdown of her struggles, she captured everything in other words .  “In Other Words” has given many sides of Jhumpa, through her linguistic journey. Being a Bengali from the heart and pampered in the US, she discovered a new zeal for some third love. In this book, she described how it is so simple and yet difficult to be involved with the passion that is not at all born and related to her in any form. She had started getting affectionate with a strange partner - the language ‘Italian’ - so much so that she wanted to break the knot of her past existen...