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 ...

“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...

  This book feels like I found a lost companion(or a personal diary) of a traveling man, in which every experience is expressed with a homely touch. I haven’t read Manav’s work before, but after reading this piece, he had won one more reader.  Initially I struggled a bit, because I am not proficient in reading Hindi fast, but I expected to listen to his story faster in my mind. Carrying this dilemma, sometimes I took pause as well to grasp the surroundings, that compelled me to think about my traveling days’ memories. The title “ बहुत दूर कितना दूर होता है ” has so much depth in it that I created innumerable answers for this statement in my mind. I asked people around how they perceive this statement in general. Some relate it with the bond we carry, some relate with the time we are left with to live, some just couldn’t form words to explain. For me, I think I come up with my version with a pinch of longingness of my heart i.e. If you consider someone detached with you, no ma...

In "Varaha's Vengeance," Arun Krishnan masterfully continues the captivating saga initiated in "Nandi's Charge," the first volume of the Battle of Vathapi series. Seamlessly building upon the narrative groundwork laid in its predecessor, Krishnan navigates readers through the turbulent landscape of the Chalukyas and Pallavas era, where the clash of empires dictates the course of history. Krishnan's narrative prowess shines as he intricately weaves together the threads of ancient warfare, enveloping readers in the cacophony of battle and the quieter moments of introspection. His descriptive prose serves as a portal to a bygone era, where notions of honor and duty collide amidst the chaos of the battlefield. A hallmark of "Varaha's Vengeance" lies in its well-rounded characters. Krishnan breathes life into both male and female protagonists, allowing them to undergo profound growth throughout the narrative. Whether it's the valorous exploi...

  This book has to be on everyone’s shelf. As always, Mitch Albom has expanded the level of small moments to detailed meanings of life. I never thought that this book would turn out so soooo emotional. I cried a lot, re-thinking all my deeds at my earlier stages, re-evaluating all my unintentional moves which caused pain to my parents and re-considering all my decisions which might have resulted well, just because of their guidance.  I don’t know what I could have done without my parents - or you can say - my grandparents. They were my guiding light at every step of my well being. I didn’t ever imagine my world without their existence, but now when they are not here, there’s not a single day when I don’t remember them in my thoughts. This book has my whole heart, because it gives a random dream to spend one more day, if I could have.  One of the most compelling aspects of "For One More Day" is Albom's ability to infuse each character with depth and relatability. From Chic...

  Hosseini has something in his mind, that everytime he creates magic with his words. “And the Mountains Echoed” is a splendid collaboration of stories, which shows that every story is made of little efforts and human emotions. This book has been on my shelf for the last 4 years, not because I didn’t want to read it, but because I wanted to read with my proper devotion ( coz I worship Hossein’s work!) And here I am, holding on to the post-read era of crying and overthinking.  If you are suffering from intellectual-thought-processing-syndrome, where you don’t know where to stop traveling in your dreamy sentiments, then this book is for you. It has all the flavors of love, sacrifice, sibling’s attachment, guilt, devotion, back stories of so many little moments, harassments, childhood traumas, childhood nurturement and so much more.  At the heart of the novel is the bond between Abdullah and Pari, siblings torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. Their story is a po...

  "Tarkash" by Javed Akhtar is a poetic masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of conventional literature. As a reader, I found myself entranced by the sheer brilliance of Akhtar's words, which effortlessly weave together a tapestry of emotions, philosophy, and the human experience. The book, predominantly a collection of ghazals, delves into the intricate realms of life, love, and the myriad emotions that define our existence. Akhtar's verses are not just words; they are an exploration of the soul, resonating with a depth that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart. His poetic prowess is evident in every line, each verse a gem that reflects the profound wisdom of a seasoned wordsmith. What sets "Tarkash" apart is its relatability to the common man's journey. Akhtar has a unique way of capturing the essence of everyday struggles, joys, and sorrows. Through his ghazals, he paints a vivid picture of the human condition, making the reader fe...

  J.K.Rowling is that one person for me, who deployed the meaning of magic in my mind. Through the Harry Potter world, she created the galaxy of imagination. And this book is just a perfect blend of all those imaginations and failures. “Very Good Lives” is a short book, based on the commencement address given by the author herself on Harvard graduation ceremony. She had perfectly presented the best advice through her journey. No exaggeration, no solid big and classy vocabs. Nothing! She defined the beauty of failures through imagination, by giving references of her parental expectations, professional journey, personal trauma, fear of poverty, and most importantly about the ability to think beyond the basic human beings.  I would have cried a lot if she had given this speech on my graduation day. By justifying her life, she gave the greatest strength to grow and conquer. Even after merely reading her draft, my eyes couldn’t hold the tears. And definitely the illustration also e...

  It is such an honor to experience the legendary conversation between the people, best of their fields and revealing nostalgic memories related to the evergreen songs of Indian Cinema. This book is all about honest chit-chat on behind the scenes, what happens in the making of lyrics, what are the contributing factors behind picturing the entire scenes and takes, and how everything impacts the age of songs. Gulzar Sahab, the extraordinary man, who is the backbone of Bollywood’s poetry is a delight to read, and here - extra delight to listen. Being a fan of songs, I always admired Gulzar Ji’s lyrics. There’s a conversation where Gulzar Ji was asked to pick his favorite among his songs, and he replied “The choice reflects the experience of the moment. There is no numbering involved..”. I can’t agree more with this. If I am in my philosophical mood, I would prefer to listen “Tujse naaraz nahi zindagi, hairan hun main”. For my jolly mood, I would like to dance on “Chal chaiyaan chaiyaa...

  "Dwapar Katha" by Sudipta Bhawmik, a renowned podcaster, offers a compelling exploration of the Mahabharata, one of India's most revered epics. The book, born from Bhawmik's childhood fascination with an illustrated Mahabharata and his later affinity for the Bengali version by Rajsekhar Basu, promises a unique perspective on the timeless tale. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of the Dwapur Yuga, a period known for the emergence of Lord Krishna, the Mahabharata, and the reign of the Pandavas. The engrossing and captivating storytelling weaves together the tales of Saint Vyasa, the saga of warring cousins, and the intricate reasons that led to the epic Mahabharata. Bhawmik skillfully portrays the valiant Pandavas and the formidable Kauravas, unraveling the layers of their emotions, motivations, and desires. The author's vivid descriptions of the battleground, the mind games of the Kauravas, and the fuming angst of the Pandavas bring the epic to life...

  In the debut installment of the Battle of Vathapi trilogy, "Nandi’s Charge," Arun Krishnan masterfully weaves a gripping tale of honor, strategy, and vengeance set against the backdrop of the Seventh-century Battle of Vathapi. Drawing on historical events and rich cultural landscapes, Krishnan's narrative brings to life a captivating drama that unfolds in the heart of ancient Bharat. The story centers around King Narasimhavarman, a young Pallava monarch burdened with the solemn promise to avenge the humiliation suffered by his father and kingdom in the Battle of Pullalur. With the strategic brilliance characteristic of historical fiction, Krishnan introduces readers to three gallant Pallava warriors – Elango, Kannan, and Muthu. Tasked with debilitating the Chalukyas' allies, the Gangas, the Lankans, and the Pandyas, these warriors embark on perilous journeys fraught with enemies and obstacles. Krishnan's meticulous research is evident in the vivid descriptions o...

Chitra Banerjee never fails to show the mysteries of women, behind every male-dominated story. “The Last Queen” is one such diamond from the historical events of ancient India. Author has gracefully and bravely described all the faces of a common girl, rising from ash like Phoenix.  This book is divided into those stories of the last queen of Punja, Rani Jindan, who was a symbol of intelligence, wit, devotion and humor. Through “behind-the-scenes” coverage of evergreen ballads of famous kings, you will get to know the different side of the tale through Jindan’s eyes. This story is a simple life’s journey of Mayi Jindan, from a daughter/sister who was an epitome of innocence and love, to the mother who dedicated her last breath for patriotism. Honestly, I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Everything was surreal, like a real life story in front of my eyes, beyond the grand walls of Sheesh Mahal. I thoroughly enjoyed the intricate details of places, events, costumes, food, le...

  Imagine you get a chance to deliver the lecture as if it’s your last day at work, how will you feel?. You will try to make the best of it, right?. But with this book, Randy had lived the moment of reality. He actually delivered his last lecture, accumulating all of his childhood dreams and lessons of life. After a very long time, I cried while reading the emotions. It’s totally a surreal gesture to go on a ride through someone’s else’s eyes. I am not going to give any spoilers but all I can say is if I will be stranded on an island alone, I would prefer to carry this book among all of the materialistic things. There’s everything here you can think of life and its atrocities, powerful optimism, clarity of dreams, hope for future, humor at every phase, and sincerity in each challenge of the world. This book is meant for the young readers as well the oldest generation, who need the best kind of advice.  On the other hand, it might be difficult to put your foot in someone’s shoe...

  Balli Kaur Jaswal's "Now You See Us" delves into the intricate lives of Cora, Angel, and Donita, three Filipina domestic workers in Singapore. The author skillfully navigates the complex tapestry of their experiences, revealing the harsh realities and social injustices these women face. Cora's sorrow over her nephew's death, Angel's turmoil after a breakup, and Donita's resilience despite abusive employment showcase a powerful narrative that tugs at the heartstrings. Jaswal masterfully weaves a tale that goes beyond a simple murder mystery, tackling broader issues of classism, exploitation, and the maltreatment of migrant workers. The book doesn't shy away from revealing the cruelty these women endure at the hands of their employers, emphasizing the stark imbalance of power and privilege. The vivid portrayal of Singapore's diverse landscapes and societal challenges adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. What stands out is the author's ...