Meghna Shah Sodha

Devdutt Pattanaik is known for his writings on religion, mythology, and legends. He has a distinct way of elaborating the complex concepts of mythology in a simpler form. This book consists author’s philosophical analytical ideas of the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita in brief. The book is written in 18 chapters same as the way the original Gita is written. It is a succinct book having numerous diagrams for easier understanding of the concepts. The thematic approach can be observed instead of verse-by-verse analysis. Pattanaik aims to make God’s song, the Bhagwad Gita accessible to contemporary readers. It is the author’s interpretation of the Gita, hence the actual meaning of Shlokas may differ. The author has given the title to the book My Gita, which means his perceptions are mentioned. So there is no reason to compare it with the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. It is a good book for newbies trying to grasp the knowledge of the Gita. It decodes the Gita by narrating references from the two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. What is the meaning of Gita? Cultural and traditional differences between Vedic and Puranic lore, keeping Hinduism at the core he has made distinct comparisons of the philosophy of Jainism, Buddhism, and Christianity. He has also mentioned ideas of Greek and Abrahamic mythology while explaining existence, birth, and rebirth. This book provides an easier comfortable explanation of the Gita in an illustrative manner. This is My Gita by the author and not the Bhagwad Gita. Consider it as an individual book or a basic guide to the Bhagwad Gita. Enjoy reading it, you will certainly add some more knowledge and wisdom to your brain-bag.

Sally Rooney is an Irish author. This is her second written book that became a best seller in the US, selling almost 64K copies in its first four months of publishing. It is an easy-to-read book and appropriate for beginners. A love story of Marianne and Connell, with a few emotional ups and downs, with some bitter and sweet moments they face together. Marianne belongs to a wealthy family, Connell’s mother Lorraine; works at her place as a maid. Marianne and Connell both are studying in the same school. Marianne is quite introverted and not at all friendly with anyone in the outside world as she is facing some emotional trauma in her own house. She is living with an abusive brother and a busy working mom who doesn’t even care about her. But she is excellent with her academics and indeed a brainy girl. She admires and adores Connell. Connell too is a smart and intelligent lad and has friends too. Connell sees Marianne while picking his mother up from her house. They formally talk and eventually, develop a bond that brings them closer. From school to college and from college to career, many times they unite and fall apart. Despite having a very good understanding between them sometimes they fail to express their emotions. Not only lovers they are best of friends and always stand by each other in the time of need. It is a sweet light story with no heartbreaks or any heart-wrenching scenes. It does have some sloppy rides but it won’t spoil the readers’ happy reading mood. The characters in the book are relatable to today’s generation. It will hardly take 5 hours to finish the book. Preferable to read on weekends or holidays or while traveling as it doesn’t demand an attentive mind to read.

This is the tale of Yuvanashva, a childless Vallabhi king who mistakenly drinks a magic potion achieved by Siddhas to make his queens pregnant. Thus he conceived and delivered the child from his body known as Mandhata a great ruler. Yuvanashva 's motherly emotions obscure him about his identity. How willing he has become to know that what exactly he is; a father, a mother or a king !! "I am not sure that I am a man, I have created life outside me as men do. But I have also created life inside me as women do. What does that make me?" Said...Yuvanashva. Shilavati; mother of Yuvanashva is a very powerful woman having preeminent political and ruling senses. Although having all the qualities of a king, she cannot sit on the throne being a woman. The plot is from the era of Mahabharata presenting social and political values. Interesting tales of Arjuna, Somavat, Ileshwara, Amba and some more are included to find the justification towards Yuvanshva's scepticism. "The story of Bhangashvana" goes beyond one's imagination and indeed fascinating. Devdutt has timely added the factors that can bound the readers to the book. It is a vivid narration on large landscape. All his detailing makes the plot logical. It is exceptionally interesting, informative and a conceptual work by the author.

Book Review Book : The Unhoneymooners Author: Christina Lauren Pages: 400 I came to know about this book through other people’s recommendations. It is a very easygoing romcom book written in simple modern language. It took almost two days to finish. If length is not the constraint this would be a good read for beginners. This novel brings us to a wedding of Amy. Amy and Olive are twin sisters. Amy is born with good fortune whilst Olive has to deal with bad luck; in her career, in her relationship, and in everything. Dane is Amy’s to-be husband and Ethan is Dane’s brother. At Amy’s wedding reception all guests except Olive and Ethan get food poisoning from eating bad shellfish. Being very ill Amy and Dane are not able to go on their honeymoon to Maui. Though despised by each other, Olive and Ethan are off to Maui to cover up their sibling’s honeymoon. Being unhoneymooners they both are trapped now to pretend as a newly wedded couple for ten days. Here while going through some funny unexpected events, they both get an opportunity to know and come closer to each other. At the same time when romance is blooming, some bitter truths are being revealed. How they deal with the harsh facts, and how they sustain their emotions and relationship; are simply and very beautifully narrated. Brothers, sisters, cousins; warmth, and support of a big family do matter a lot even in this modern time. The epilogue matches very much with the reader’s expectations and assumptions. Although while coming to end at a few points it feels like detaching from the storyline. Overall if someone wants to read a book at a glance without paying much attention; this book is preferable. It would not be someone’s all-time favorite great book but of course, something that can be chosen to read while on holidays or spare time. Love is exhausting. – Christina Lauren Don’t threaten me with a good time. – Christina Lauren

When I started reading this book, I needed much efforts to concentrate on the content. At least 3 - 4 times I had to restart reading it. Finally, on a very fine day I held the book and started reading it and succeeded to read, to understand and to complete it on the same day. It is certainly a difficult book to be cracked in comparison with other novels or fiction or nonfiction books. Jiddu Krishnamurti was a profound indian philosopher, writer and speaker. He is considered as one of the greatest religious teachers and thinkers of all time. His philosophical views about living life are full of depth, good to understand yet difficult to apply in real life. After reading his work, one can fairly fall in love with the philosophical ideas portrayed by him. This book is a collection of Krishnamurti's thoughts described in the form of 16 various chapters in regards to give a vision to his readers about living a life that they can enjoy by keeping their soul and heart free from any sorrow, worry and difficulty. The motive of this book is how to be free from the social boundaries and enjoying life by being within the society without making fuss or carrying any burden. He tells us to get rid of our preconception about this dogmatic world. He focuses on the ideas like anger, fear, love, passion, self concern, relationship, social barriers and many other that build an ecological community of human beings. In brief, this book is definitely a perfect book for the people who are fond of spiritual literature. It isnt a onetime read book. Preferably should be read many more times to understand actual depth of Krishnamurti's philosophy. Worth understanding it. * the demand to be safe in relationship inevitably breeds sorrow and fear. * a mind which is not crippled by memory has real freedom. J. Krishnamurti

It is an autobiography of Amrita Pritam, a poet, novelist, essayist and short story writer. This book mainly reflects on her journey into the world of literature, accolades received, popularity she gained. It gives a glimpse of her personal life too. She was born in Punjab, at present part of Pakistan. She was the only child of Raj bibi, a school teacher and Kartar Sing a poet. She began to write at the age of 11. Her first collection of poems, Amrit Lehran was published at age 16. In the same year, 1936 she married Pritam Singh and replaced her name Amrit Kaur with Amrita Pritam. They had two children. She became a refugee after communal violence in 1947 that lead to partition of India and she moved to Delhi. Once while traveling from Dehradun to Delhi, she penned down her anger and pain on a piece of paper in the form of poem; with the title "Aaj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu". That made her live eternally which is considered as a reminder of the horrors of partition. Her work was being translated into many Indian and foreign languages. "Pinjar" is considered as the most noted work of her. She divorced in 1960 as having an affection for poet Sahir Ludhianvi but she found solace with the writer and artist Imroz with whom she spent the last forty years of her life. Some of Amrita's write ups were quite bold and revolutionary and were banned too. She traveled different parts of the world for literary purposes and events. Her meetings with renowned authors are described in the book. I was thrilled by the mention of her visit to Yasnaya Polyana, Leo Tolstoy's house at Moscow. Amrita Pritam was indeed a candid determined woman, was having courage to stand and fight against the patriarchy to live and lead her life with own choices and conditions. The most fascinating part of her life was Imroz; a true companion with unconditional love.

'The paper is patient than man' - Anne Frank Anne Frank is known as a Jewish teenager who, while world war 2; wrote a diary at the time of their hiding in the Secret Annex. A mature and perceptive author cannot narrate the feeling of living in hiding and growing up under the constant threat of war in Amsterdam, after fell into Nazi control; the way Anne Frank did. It is simply an awesome book to be read and must be a part of one's library collection. Anne was a happy, cheerful, chattering girl. She was fond of writing and wanted to be an author. They were hiding in the Secret Annex from July 1942 to August 1944. There were eight people stayed in there; 3 kids and 5 adults having books to be read and a radio to listen to broadcast. Anne wanted to live, to be loved, she had dreams. She wanted to go to France and London for higher studies. The girl died at the tender age of 15. Among all the refugees of Secret Annex only Mr. Otto Frank, Anne's father came alive. And he decided to publish Anne's diary. Love, what is love? I don't think you can really put it into words. Love is understanding some one, caring for him, sharing his Joys and sorrows. This eventually includes physical love. You have shared something, given something away and received something in return, whether or not you are married, whether or not you have a baby. Losing your virtue doesn't matter, as long as you know that for as long as you live you ll have someone at your side who understands you, and who doesn't have to shared with anyone else! -Anne Frank (14 years) An empty day, though clear and bright Is just as dark as any night - Anne Frank Must to be read book

This book is one of the best sellers of all time. It narrates a tale of sister duo in France during World War II and their struggles and hardships to survive against the brutal cruelty of Nazis. It is an amazingly well-crafted and throughly enjoyable piece to read. Vianne (Rossignol) Mauriac and Isabelle Rosignol are daughters of Jullien Rossignol. After serving in World War I and death of his wife; Julien was emotionally broken and unable to stay attached to his daughters. The two sisters are the protagonist of the novel. Vianne is of fourteen at the time of her mother's death. After feeling deep affection towards Antoine Mauriac, she marries him and forgets that her four year old sister needs her. She stays in the quite village of Carriveau, with her husband and daughter Sophie. But Antoine is being called for to serve in World War II and it is hard for her to believe that France will be invaded by Nazis. Difficulties become part of her life and survival, a big question. Isabelle, a four year old girl who needs love and attention was totally abandoned by both her father and sister. After being expelled from multiple girls' school frequently, at the age of eighteen she accidentally meets Gaetan and falls in love with him. Again, she is being neglected by her love and joins French Resistance Movement against Nazis that justifies her rebellious tendencies. Germany takes control over France and the story of these girls moves solemnly. Their courage and fear, sacrifices and endless pain, bonding and values for family are the real essence of the story. Calm, clever and courageous Vianne along with fearless, fierce and fighter Isabelle (The Nightingale) are the most powerfully written characters that may pound hearts with both sorrow and pride. It is indeed a commendable and graceful work by the author that fetches tears. Events can be felt in front of the eyes. Some authentically described episodes bring goosebumps. It's a beautiful portrayal of French victims of World War II who celebrate resilience and victory for freedom.

This book is an epitome of soulful love that transforms a scholar Rumi into a Sufi. Rules of love are explained by a dervish, Shams of Tabriz. Rumi and Shams' togetherness brings out long lasting spiritual message of love. This book is written in small chapters and that makes it easier to read. The author Elif Shafak narrates two parallel stories- one is of 13th century and the other is contemporary. The contemporary plot goes around Ella Rubenstein, an American forty-year-old married woman. Having three kids, husband and lavish life; she isn't happy. She works as a reader for a literary agency and assigns to read and prepare report on a script "Sweet Blasphemy" written by Aziz Zahara. This mesmerizing script that Ella reads is settled in 13th century showcasing how a wandering dervish Shams transforms a renowned scholar into a passionate poet. Shams, being a child having many unsolved questions leaves house in search of answers and becomes a dervish. Being with nature, wandering different places and meeting spiritually skilled people benefits him with mystical powers. As it's destined, Shams visits Konya to see his to be soul mate Rumi; a renowned well settled scholar. Shams wants to handover his ocean of knowledge to him and Rumi with many uncertainties and doubts wants Shams to be his mentor. They spend hours, days, months in aloofness and finally, a scholar becomes a soulful Sufi poet. This process of Rumi's transformation is mentioned in an enchanting powerful way to amaze readers through its depth. All forty rules of love described, indeed mean a lot. Blend of Shams' spiritual and mystical abilities, and Rumi's scholastic intelligence are wonderfully executed. This book is a treasure of spirituality, philosophy and sufism. A real jewel of literary world that must not be missed out on. The path of the truth is a labour of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide. Not mind. - Elif Shafak

This is the first time I’m reading George Orwell’s book and I must say I am in awe of this intelligently written fiction piece of literature. It is one of the best books ever written. The story of this plot is ofcourse tense, engaging, and demands the attention of the reader and these factors won’t let you keep the book down. The concept of the author is a future that seems controlling and gloomy. It’s a timeless classic, portraying our present world in various aspects. This book is too intelligent and perfect for people who love to engage in discussing issues such as power, control, authority, and political analysis. Winston Smith, a man who lived in Oceania is a document editor for the ruling party where everyone is under surveillance where even a very tiny twitch (bad thought) alerts the “Thought Police’ and a person would be executed. Winston feels that things were far better before the revolution but he is helpless without the required evidence. “The big brother” is heading the ruling party. The party encourages people not to be devoted to one’s families but to the party itself. One day with a piece of evidence (that things were better before) Winston goes on a mission against Big Brother. The occurrence of twist and turns here after this particular point will churn your stomach and will make u fall a sick and gives a constant feeling of hoping for a good end. I highly recommend this book to all. This is truly a brilliant book and more importantly a timeless satirical attack on the social and political structures of the world. "Confession is not betrayal. What you say or do doesn't matter; only feelings matter. If they could make me stop loving you-that would be the real betrayal." - George Orwell