Just Friends? Author: Sumrit Sahi Publisher: Rupa Publishers Rating: 2/5 There comes a point in our lives when we find the other half of the puzzle in form of our best friend, our life partner or our soul sister/brother. But isn’t this a clichéd belief? We have watched and loved many movies based on the same concept and it pains my heart to realize that the Indian Literature is headed the blind alleyway with stories based on the same old idea. ‘Just Friends?’ is old wine offered in a new bottle. The sour taste of the story and the feeble plot sends the taste (read ‘reading’) buds on a detour.…

Curried Cultures Author: Krishnendu Ray,‎ Tulasi Srinivas Publisher: Aleph Book Company Rating: 3/5 Food is our necessity and our desire. It is that integral part of our lives without which our survival is inconceivable. Over the years, the concept of ‘food’ has changed drastically. With what was called staples of a particular region, people have now become more receptive to foods of different origins. Accordingly, the taste buds have evolved too; they can now bear the taste of continental cuisine along with Thai, Mexican, Asian and Indian. Though the western countries have a diverse potpourri of mouth-watering delicacies, the Asian continent has always had an upper hand over them owing…

No Mud No Lotus Author: Thich Nhat Hanh Publisher: Parallax Press Rating: 3.5/5 ‘If a problem can be solved, there is nothing to worry about. If it can’t be solved, then worrying is useless.’ ‘No Mud, No Lotus’ is a self-help book that helps the readers understand the essence of life. Just like how the Lotus survives in the austere conditions and rises from beneath the mud and transforms into the purest form, similarly, our body is a gift from God and to help it heal and reach close to heaven, is our primary obligation. John Keats had said in one of his most famous poems ‘The Human Seasons’ that…

PAWAN: the flying accountant Author: Sorabh Pant Publisher: Rupa Publishers Rating: 3.5/5 It is rightly said that our talent is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift back to God. ‘Pawan’ is an intelligent and witty literary feat. It narrates the story of an accountant cum God-sent protector- Pawan, who is disorganized, derelict and deliberately obtuse to his powers. Accountant in the morning before the mortal flesh, Pawan (or Arjun Singh) is a demigod at night before the immortal existence. His fuddy-duddy nature presents him as an oddity but he seems complacent and happy. The story explores his journey of self-discovery and realization. Mistake me…

Juni Dagger Author: Arjun Chandra Kathpalia Publisher: Rupa Publishers Rating: 4/5 Thriller novellas are rare enough but thriller novellas with a tinge of humour that offer moments of genuine laughter are rarer still. ‘Juni Dagger’ comes in a complete package- with an amalgamation of thrill, suspense and light humour. Wittingly written, this book describes the adventures of Juni Dagger, a semi-professional connoisseur of food and a professional detective. Along with his team, he set out on a journey to hunt down a serial killer. His love and respect for food is something to fall for. How beautifully the author has drawn out the connection between the two! With real characters…

Asia Reborn Author: Prasenjit K. Basu Publisher: Aleph Book Company Rating: 3/5 The colonization that led to globalization is not only limited to India. There have been many Asian countries that have been victimized by the British, the Dutch and the French. Their migration to these nations gave rise to ethnic conflicts and outflow of the nation’s finances resulting in the decline of the overall growth. As Indians, we consider all the thoughts close to home but seldom do we get a chance to learn about the struggles and the development of other nations. ‘Asia Reborn’ is a comprehensive book that describes the culture, heritage and the history of the…