Books on the shelves
Nothing Ventured: Book #1 of William Warwick Series by Jeffrey Archer
PAN ǀ Rs 399
Nothing Ventured is an incredible and thrilling novel by master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer. This is not a detective story, this is a story about the making of a detective… William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a barrister like his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC, and his sister Grace, he will join London’s Metropolitan Police Force.
After graduating from university, William begins a career that will define his life: from his early months on the beat under the watchful eye of his first mentor, Constable Fred Yates, to his first high-stakes case as a fledgling detective in Scotland Yard’s arts and antiquities squad. Investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery who he falls hopelessly in love with, even as Beth guards a secret of her own that she’s terrified will come to light. While William follows the trail of the missing masterpiece, he comes up against suave art collector Miles Faulkner and his brilliant lawyer, Booth Watson QC, who are willing to bend the law to breaking point to stay one step ahead of William. Meanwhile, Miles Faulkner’s wife, Christina, befriends William, but whose side is she really on?
Being Gandhi by Paro Anand
Harper Collins ǀ Rs 200
How many times are kids supposed to study Gandhi? Come September and out comes the bald head wig, round glasses, white dhoti, tall stick … that’s about the extent of how today’s kids engage with the Mahatma. Chandrashekhar is one such teen. Bored by the annual Gandhi projects, he wonders if his teacher is being too unreasonable in asking them to “BE” Gandhi. And then, his world is shaken by events that rock him to the core, forcing him to dig deep and not just find his ‘inner Gandhi’, but become Gandhi. Not for a day or two. But, maybe even, for life. This is a novel that explores, not Gandhi the man or his life as a leader, but really the Gandhian way that must remain relevant to us. Especially today when the world is becoming increasingly steeped in violence and hate.
When Life Cartwheels: Tumultuous Love Story of a Sannyasi by Raj Supe
Platinum Press ǀ Rs 349
Shaman, a Harvard Professor, has found peace for his restless soul at his Master’s feet. An accomplished yogi, his life resembles the river Alaknanda, deep and serene, flowing unaffected past the craggy world around it. Into his life comes Shambhavi, a nayika, an irresistibly beautiful young artiste, like the rippling river Mandakini, carrying everything in its exuberant flow. Can one ever know God without experiencing love? Can even an ascetic be free of the lures of samsara? Must each one inevitably yield to the demands of the flesh? Is it possible to prevent the unfolding of destiny? This engrossing prequel to When Life Turns Turtle, leaves a deep imprint on the reader as it delves into life’s mesmerising riddle.
The First Aryan by Paramu Kurumathur
Penguin ǀ Rs 250
Will a series of brutal killings destroy the very foundation of Parsuvarta, an ancient kingdom? A series of murders have taken place in Parsupur, the capital city of Parsuvarta. Kasyapa and Agastya, two students training to become priests, are asked by their guru to investigate the deaths. Around the same time, there is great turmoil brewing in the city-a palace coup and a battle for supremacy between the traditional Indra worshipers and the new sect of Varuna followers.
It is an age when Vedic gods are worshiped, religious sacrifices are performed regularly, commerce flourishes and kings are guided by their loyal head priests. But beneath this façade of order lie prejudices and political rivalries, jealousy and power games. This is why the murders, which at first seem to be unconnected, soon lead in the same direction. It is now up to Kasyapa and Agastya to find out the common thread and identify the killer. The First Aryan is a one-of-its-kind murder mystery set in the Vedic times.
You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas
Simon & Schuster ǀ Rs 399
It’s a dark, smog-choked new Delhi winter. Indian American single mother Anjali Morgan juggles her job as a psychiatrist with caring for her autistic teenage son. She is in a long-standing affair with ambitious police commissioner Jatin Bhatt – an irresistible attraction that could destroy both their lives.
Jatin’s home life is falling apart: his handsome and charming son is not all he appears to be, and his wife has too much on her plate to pay attention to either husband or son. But Jatin refuses to listen to anyone, not even the sister to whom he is deeply attached.
Across the city there is a crime spree: slum women found stuffed in trash bags, faces and bodies disfigured by acid. And as events spiral out of control Anjali is horrifyingly at the centre of it all.
In a sordid world of poverty, misogyny, and political corruption, Jatin must make some hard choices. But what he unearths is only the tip of the iceberg. Together with Anjali he must confront old wounds and uncover long-held secrets before it is too late.
Upon A Burning Throne by Ashok K Banker
Simon & Schuster ǀ Rs 499
In a world where demigods and demons walk among mortals, the Emperor of the vast Burnt Empire has died, leaving a turbulent realm without an emperor. Two young princes, Adri and Shvate, are in line to rule, but birthright does not guarantee inheritance: For any successor must sit upon the legendary Burning Throne and pass The Test of Fire. Imbued with dark sorceries, the throne is a crucible—one that incinerates the unworthy.
Adri and Shvate pass The Test and are declared heirs to the empire… but there is another with a claim to power, another who also survives: a girl from an outlying kingdom. When this girl, whose father is the powerful demonlord Jarsun, is denied her claim by the interim leaders, Jarsun declares war, vowing to tear the Burnt Empire apart—leaving the young princes Adri and Shvate to rule a shattered realm embroiled in rebellion and chaos….
Dear People, with Love and Care, You Doctors by Debraj Shome and Aparna Govil Bhasker
Bloomsbury ǀ Rs 499
A collection of heartfelt stories by doctors and patients from across the world, Dear People, with Love and Care, Your Doctors by Debraj Shome and. Aparna Govil Bhasker published by Bloomsbury India not only provides a deep insight into the healthcare system giving a sneak peek into the world of medicine but also inspires to retain faith in this beautiful relationship of a doctor and patient. The book has received tremendous praise from both doctors and patients as well as multiple celebrities, politicians and industrialists, all over the world. The book aims to bring back the focus on the unshakeable foundation of doctor-patient relationship through inspiring stories from the diaries of 30 doctors and five patients.
Dear People has endorsements from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Indian Medical Association and several prominent doctors across the world. It also for the first time brings to the general readers a Manifesto of Doctors and Patients’ Rights.
With contributions from world class and award winning doctors such as Dr Subramania Iyer, Dr Jesse Berry, Dr Nitin Kadam, Dr V Mohan, Dr Wolfgang Gubisch and several others it is one book that will re-instill the faith in doctor – patient relations.
Nirvana In A Corporate Suit by Runjhun Noopur
Treeshade Books ǀ Rs 350
On an average bad day, a troubled corporate guy has a bizarre encounter. A faceless voice promises him the one thing he craves for but can’t seem to get – Happiness. As he sets out on this thrilling quest, he finds himself sucked into an astounding, mystical world of talking mirrors, alternate dimensions, crazy set designs, terrifyingly apt background music and one crazy Baba who loves Cobain as much as he loves sarcasm. Will our corporate guy survive this wacky quest? Is the light at the end of this weird tunnel a dream? Or is it really elusive key to happiness?
Nirvana is a roller-coaster ride that will make you question everything you ever about your own happiness. Runjhun Noopur’s wild, hilarious but surprisingly profound debut looks beyond the solemnity of self-help and offers a take on principles of happiness that is as unique as it is life-changing. If you feel trapped in a daily rut, or if you simply seek a fulfilling life, Nirvana may just be the answer you were looking for. Only if you dare to join this crazy ride.
