Author: Arjun Hemmady

The book is a paragon for cricket lovers. The writer has based the story futuristically in 2025CE.

The story is about the Indian cricket player Suraj Bhatkal. It’s his journey from a rookie nobody in the 8th grade to eventually captaining the Indian cricket team and leading it to its formidable glory. the book has all the ingredients that we see in a typical high-tension cricket test match or an ODI. It involves on-field banter between players of the same team vs the opposition that helps the reader draw parallels with the current trends.

However, the author touches on a very crucial element in the life of a sportsperson, i.e. Mental health. Here too Suraj has major breakdowns early in his career. However timely help from the concerned professionals helps him overcome and tide over the tough phases of his life.

The author has incorporated a lot of behind-the-scenes stories in the narrative.

Makes for an endearing and interesting read.

Author: Nidhi Upadhyay

I ventured into reading the horror genre a year ago and have read quite a number of books with different perspectives in the same genre.

This is one such variation.

The story is about four friends in a hostel in Kurukshetra who indulged in a game of Ouija twenty years ago. However, that night results in the death of Sania their despicable hostel mate. The friends decide to take the secret to their grave from then on and for the next two decades, they live their own lives away from each other.

However now someone begins to mess with their lives sending ripples along their quiet life waters. Their lives, relationships, friendships, everything is now at stake. It looks like the occult is out there to get them all in a quest to avenge Sania’s death. The friends gear up and come together to work out a solution and that opens a can of worms. Secrets that each of them had hidden finally spring out…

Would it destroy everything? that’s what the story is all about. I liked the lucid language and vocabulary. However, too much back and forth in timelines was causing breaks in the reading rhythm. Similarly, there were a couple of discrepancies in the events as well. there were a couple of redundant statements. The ending was interesting but rushed… actually some of the events don’t seem plausible but I guess given the genre, its fine.

Author: L. Aruna Dhir

The book is non-fiction chronicling the author’s riveting rendezvous with the panoramic celebrity ilk. She had the opportunity (some of which she created) courtesy of her prolific career in the hospitality industry.

I was particularly fascinated by how the author managed to get out the true personalities of the revered and idolised individuals. We realize that celebrities are like ordinary humans in flesh and blood!

Some of her encounters tickle your funny bone, like that of Jackie Shroff (Apna bhidu!) while some are poignantly candid like the one with Zohra Sehgal.

Aruna has successfully brought out the nuances in each and every aspect of those experiences and every paragraph fills you with intrigue.

Though lucid, the language levels in the book are high and the book is recommended even for those who want to learn the art of storytelling.

Author: Suhail Mathur

In a single word, the apt description for the book is “brilliant”. I am in awe at the incredible research that has been done to bring out the authenticity of the story amidst the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle.

The story begins in the year 1936 and is majorly based in the lively town of Bhairavgarh famous for its gigantic golden statue of Lord Bhairav that’s stood the test of time despite the plundering invaders of the century. However, the serenity of the hustling town is disturbed when the British set up their cantonment in the area. True to their oppressive and tyrannical nature the British shower ruthless aggression on the innocent residents and even hurt religious and cultural sentiments plunging the town into a state of darkness, and threatening to permanently absolve the area of its heritage.

However, a young group of revolutionaries let by the dynamic Keshav Raichand raise to the occasion and embark on a sojourn filled with adventure, deceit, and divine intervention. Here on the story takes incredible twists and turns involving the heroic fights and escapades of the revolutionaries, helped by mysterious powers they don’t fathom till the end of the successful movement.

Finally, brain and wit lethally combined with valor emerge victorious and the British are driven out of Bhairavgarh for good, returning the town to its past glory that remains even to date.

The book is a must-read particularly if you love historical fiction. Its one unputdownable!!!

Author: Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar

A brilliantly penned book, this is a collection of short stories, all based in Jharkhand, particularly featured around the Santhal tribe.

The book brings out the raw and grim reality of ‘survival’ practices adopted by the tribe for ages. Sadly even after years of Independence, there are many such pockets in our country where basic education for girls is considered taboo. Women who need to be blamed for something are termed ‘witches’ and ostracised brutally. Women and even young girls don’t hesitate to sell their souls along with their bodies if it means putting food into their hungry stomachs.

The author has been brazen in his portrayal and some of the scenes are disturbing to read. However, it’s also gut-wrenching to see the plight of the real backward class who don’t get the benefits of reservations. For generations, they have been exploited by the rich in their villages and other fortune seekers who acquired (read, forcibly) their land for the rich ore beneath the fertile or barren lands.

The stigma associated with the clan doesn’t leave them even when they migrate to other states in search of better opportunities. They are labeled and tainted and called names.

The book is a huge eye-opener to those of us who in our cushy lifestyles are blissfully ignorant of the ground realities in the lesser-known corners of the country.

Author: Rohan Vinayaa

The book is a sojourn into the mythological realm spanning the period spent by Lord Krishna in obtaining the Syamantaka stone. The book is not just an account of what may have transpired but also a lesson to mankind throughout.

When the owner of the Syamantaka, Satrajit is approached by Krishna for the divine stone hoping to resolve the economic crisis plaguing Mathura, the latter returns empty-handed. However soon after Prasenjit, Satrajit’s younger brother goes hunting along with the stone and doesn’t return and Satrajit’s emotionally blinded suspicions accuse Krishna of having sabotaged his brother for the stone.

What follows is Krishna’s quest to unravel the mystery behind the youngster’s disappearance in the forest. The story also includes snippets from different yogas and their invaluable lessons eventually explaining the true meaning of KARMA.

Overall it makes an interesting read.