Growing up we have heard stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and we know that Ravana was not a Godly figure and how he chose to oppose the Gods for his daughter. That is exactly what this book is about.

Asura - The Tail of the Vanquished is written by Anand Neelakantan and is his first novel on published on 14th May 2012. The story of Ramayana is portrayed from Ravana’s perspective.

The books tells us about the struggles Ravana has faced when it came to opposing the Gods and how his voice was suppressed in between all this which led him to taking some stands (what we would call it today) for himself and how it turned to be evil for others.

Just like they say, every coin has two sides, the same Ramayana has two sides which the author is trying to show it to us. So that we elevate and decide for ourselves that who is wrong or right or for that matter if there is anything like wrong or right.

For me, I think there was a need for such a book where we also get to see things from the perspective of someone whom we feel is wrong or maybe really be in fault as we would get to the root of the problem.

Hosseini, born in Kabul, Afghanistan to a diplomat father because of which he has spent most of this life living in countries like Iran and France and at last when he was 15 his father applied in the political asylum after which they shifted to United States.

Hosseini completed his high from Independence High School, San Jose in 1984 and finished his graduation from Santa Clara University from where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.

After finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology he enrolled in University of California San Diego School of Medicine and earned M.D in 1993 soon after which he completed his residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles in 1997.

He used to work as a physician in California and practised medicine for 10 years. After his book “The Kite Runner” was a success he thought of quitting medicine and to be a full-time author.

There is a lot to speak about such a diverse personality, but unfortunately I have to cut it short. His story has surely inspired me a lot and I might someday as well try my hands on writing.

If Khaled Hosseini has inspired you in anyway or maybe his book, do let us know in the comments. Until then stay safe.

The God of Small Things is written by Arundhati Roy and this is her first ever book. She started writing this books in 1992 and finished this book after 4 years in 1996 and was published in the same year.

The story is about fraternal twins Rahel and Esthappen who soon find out that things are never constant. Everything changes, the nights don’t seem the same, the world seems more grey.

There wasn’t a lot I could tell about this book because then I would end up giving spoilers to you, which I obviously don’t want to. If you have read this book, tell us your thoughts as well. Until next time, stay safe.

Did you know he has not only written numerous books and was just an author but he also was a very wise man ? This article will take you a little deep into BamkinChandra’s life.

Bamkin Chandra Chatterjee was an Indian novelist, poet and journalist and we also know he is the one who has composed Vande Mataram. Initially it was in Sanskrit, where he describes India as Mother Goddess which in fact motivated a lot of activists during the independence movement.

Chatterjee wrote his first poem when he was in Hooghly Collegiate School. He attended Hoogly Mohsin College and later Presidency College, Kolkata from where he graduated in Arts in 1858. He has also obtained a degree in Law in 1869.

His literary career started when his first English novel Rajmohan’s wife was published. Soon later his first ever Bengali Romance novel Durgeshnandini was published in the year 1865.

He had written numerous books, some of which are Kapalkundala, Mrinalini, Vrishabriksha, Radharani, Rajani, etc., few essays Lok Rahasya, Bijnan Rahasya, Samya, etc..

There is so much more to know about such an honorary man, but unfortunately I will have to stop this right here. But, before I end this let me tell you that he is known as Sahitya Samrat which means Emperor of Literature.

Midnight’s Children is a 1981 Novel written by Salman Rushdie. This books describes the transitions India faced from British rule to Independence and partition. It is looked at as an example of postcolonial, postmodern and magical realist literature.

Saleem Sinai, the narrator and protagonist of this book is of the child born at the midnight hour when India got its Independence on 15th August 1947. As Saleem grows old he discovers that children born at midnight of 15th August have gained some super powers.

With this, he forms a conference of Midnight’s Children where they discuss issues faced by India with respect to cultural, linguistic, religious, and political differences faced by a vastly diverse nation.

This book is a perfect read as it describes the actual historical evidences. This book has won Bookers Prize and James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1981 and Booker of Bookers award. It was also added to the list of Great Books of the 20th Century.

Vizzini was an American author of four books in the genre young adult. He chose this genre for a reason. He has spend a lot of time in psychiatric ward when he was in his 20’s, suffering from depression. He expressed his feelings, struggles, hardships through his books.

He completed his high school from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan and attended Hunter College, Manhattan.

Based on his past experiences his book published in 2006 ‘It’s Kind Of A Funny Story’ was based on fifteen year old boy named Craig Gilner who is battling depression in a psychiatric ward and his feelings are worsened more when he can’t attend school.

It’s sad that this smiling face is not with us anymore. Ned committed suicide at the age of 32 by jumping off his parent’s apartment in Brooklyn, New York.

Vizzini spoke about mental health at school and libraries. He spoke at UCLA, The Dalton School, New York, Chicago Public Libraries, The National’s Council of Teachers of English, Master’s Tea at Yale.

We all should learn this one thing from Ned which I feel is very important in this modern world is that, you are going to suffer and struggle but you do not need to make the same mistake as he did because there are a lot of people who are going to face a huge loss.

This was kind of emotional for me to write about Ned because as a fellow reader it’s feels like a great loss to lose such an amazing author who has given back to back hits. We miss you Ned.

This book is written by Michaele Weissman who is on an obsessive quest to find the perfect cup of coffee. I know it’s still unclear to you about the relation of God with coffee and for that I will have to give you a little detail about the book (I will not give any spoilers, I promise).

The author in this book is trying to find answers to few questions like will coffee reveal the face of a God ? Does coffee have the power to change the world ? or Will it be an addiction to the people in modern day ?

The story goes through an adventurous journey of how coffee has made its place in today’s world. It shows the history of how coffee roaster companies like Counter Culture Coffee, Intelligentsia and Stump Down Coffee have made a name in the market today.

It’s surprising that the author has never had a cup of coffee before and she is on a journey to cover the biggest coffee event. But still, now we know that she has high expectations when it comes to trying coffee from anywhere new.

It is a perfect read for someone who is interested in the History of how coffee has become a staple beverage, the processes it goes through, from plantation to being brewed by you.

If you have read this book let us know your thoughts as well. Keep reading and spread the joy of reading.

Hello reader, hope you are doing good. Today’s author is a little different from the rest. She is an illustrator and an author who also loves to crochet, reading all this it made me think that who exactly is Whitney Gardner ?

Whitney Gardner is an author and illustrator from Victoria, British Columbia. She is the author of numerous award winning books like You’re Welcome Universe, Chaotic Good, Fake Blood, etc..

Gardner, in her high school days was associated with deaf community and loved spending her time there. In fact, before her book “You’re Welcome Universe” made an entry in the market she had made up her might to be a deaf interpreter.

Inspired from one of her friend she came up with the idea of the book “You’re Welcome Universe” where the protagonist is a deaf Indian girl named Julia and Whitney has created her character in such a way that it keeps growing regardless of her disabilities.

To conclude this newsletter about an amazing and vibrant personality, here is one of her quotes which is of my favourites.

“How are you still standing?" "Am I? I feel like I'm falling.”
― Whitney Gardner, Chaotic Good

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

We should all be prepared for problems in our life but its weird how no one talks about it especially when you are a teenager, that’s why this book ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ is so special.

The book comprises of letter which is written by a boy named Charlie, to someone unknown. His letters show what it’s like to grow up in high school especially when you are an introverted yet observatory kid.

This book is a perfect blend of happiness, sadness, confusion, etc.. a teenager faces in high school. The author has created the story in a way where it will take you back to your wild days.

The author in 2012, directed a film version of this book which starred Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller. Soon after the release of the movie the sales of the book boosted and the book reached The New York Times Best Seller.

To conclude, here is another quote from the book which we all can relate to.

“It's strange because sometimes, I read a book, and I think I am the people in the book.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

“Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are.”
― Markus Zusak, I Am the Messenger

Hello everyone, it’s been quite a while we have actually payed attention to the beautiful people around us and not judge them by their external appearance. Exactly this is what our this week’s author Markus Zusak has to say.

Markus is an Australian Writer who was born and brought up in Sydney, Australia. He has two sisters and one brother and he is the youngest of them all.

Zusak is an author of six books from which the books “The messenger”, “The Book Thief” and “Bridge of Clay” have been a hit.

Markus has graduated from the University of New South Whales, gaining a Bachelor’s of Arts degree and also Diploma of Education. He used to teach English while writing in his high school Engadine High School.

Markus Zusak has won numerous awards in his career. Including, CBC Book of the Year Award in 2003 and NSW Premier’s Literary Award in 2003 for the book The Messenger.

Apart from these he has also won Kathleen Mitchell Award, Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book Award, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the year - Children, Printz Award Honor Book Award, etc..

“Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of.”
― Markus Zusak, I Am the Messenger

“Duties can be taught but not the responsibilities.”
― Bishwanath Ghosh, Chai Chai

Hello my dear readers, I hope you all are doing fine in this Pandemic. Since, you can’t really do anything about it, have a cup of chai (tea). Wait, don’t you have a perfect book for tea time ? Don’t worry that is exactly what I’m going to be helping you with.

Today’s book is Chai Chai by Bishwanath Ghosh which will take you on a ride from Itarsi to Mughal Sarai.

Chai Chai is a book where the author travels by local trains to explore new places. The author spoke about the land he was standing on and how is it not only about the scenic beauty but it was that about the people who make it their home.

Ghosh ventures in small towns which we might have not even heard the names of like Shoranpur, Arakkonam, Itarsi, Jhansi and Mughal Sarai. Since, the local trains have always been the ones to connect people for years we all have forgotten about the fun of it because of these high end travel options.

This book is witty, humorous and will help you to feel what the author has felt when he was visiting the towns that we either don’t know or must have forgotten. The author talks in detail about cultural history these places have.

“Cigarettes and communism have always gone hand in hand since there can be no better way of building comradeship than sharing a smoke. I”
― Bishwanath Ghosh, Chai Chai

“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle

Hello dear readers, as you must have already read the quote above you must have gotten the idea behind the success of Steven Pressfield.

Steven Pressfield is an American author who has numerous books on historical fiction, non-fiction and screenplays.

Steven Pressfield was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1943. He completed his graduation from Duke University in 1965 and in 1966 decided to join the Marine Corps.

Pressfield has worked as an advertising copywriter, school teacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, attendant in a mental hospital and the list keeps going on. He had to go through a lot of struggles to be an author. He was homeless and was living at the back of his car. He has mentioned all of his difficulties in the book “The War of Art”.

To conclude, Steven Pressfield will always be a fighter no matter what situation he is put in. Most of us are facing our own battles and the only thing which keeps us going is a never ending spirit of not giving up, just like Pressfield.

Here is another quote from the author which will stay with me forever.

“Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

“You have to dress up for the job you want, not the job you have, and you have to start doing the work you want to be doing.” 

― Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist

In today’s era, we can understand the value of this quote. Everyone is wants to do something but they are enable to do so because of some bondage.

To fight yourself and the bondage in your which is not letting you come out of the comfort zone this week’s book is a must read, especially if you’re a teenager and looking for some guidance on starting something creative.

Not trying to give much spoilers about the tips and tricks mentioned in the book, I will try to give a brief summary about what this book emphasises on.

The book starts with a message stating “You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself”. Well, it’s true for most of the people out there who are struggling to find the creative side of themselves.

Further, the author goes on to state few tips and tricks which he wished he knew when he was the age of an average college student. He has also shared some amazing quotes, positive messages for the reader, graphic looks and illustrations in the book to make the inner creativity of the reader to embark his/her journey.

He also has set out some exercises and examples for the reader to get more in touch with his/her creative side.

“Copy your heroes. Examine where you fall short. What’s in there that makes you different? That’s what you should amplify and transform into your own work.”― Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist

“I love you, a thousand times over. And I will never apologize for it.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

We all must have faced this situation in life where we felt that loving a certain someone was a mistake but today’s author has a little different idea about that which you can understand from the quote above.

Renee Ahdieh is an American-Korean author. She is best known for her book ‘The Wrath and the Dawn’ which is also a New-York Times bestselling series. She has numerous other books and which have been translated to many languages.

As she spent her childhood in her mother’s homeland in Seoul, South Korea and later came to America she felt her love for her heritage and she was then caught into diversity books. But, as a child she was always drawn to fantasy, romance and history books.

She completed her graduation from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is not currently living with her husband (Victor), their child and their pet dog (Mushu).

She has won numerous awards like #1 New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, Amazon Best Books of the Year for 2015 - Young Adult, 2015 A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens and many more.

To conclude this article, I would like to add one of my favourite quotes by Renee Ahdieh.

“Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“She was always ready with her smile, and would willingly have lent it to anyone who was feeling unhappy.”
― Ruskin Bond, The Blue Umbrella

This is one of my favourite quotes from Ruskin Bond and today I’m delightfully writing about one of the most beautiful books written which is The Blue Umbrella.

The story revolves around a girl named Binya who exchanges her lucky leopard’s claw pendant for a beautiful umbrella. But, little did she know that she would then be the centre of attraction of the village and everyone would have an eye on her beautiful asset, especially by a shopkeeper who wants to snatch it away from her.

“The umbrella was like a flower, a great blue flower that had sprung up on the dry brown hillside”.
― Ruskin Bond, The Blue Umbrella

Even though Binya belonged to a small village she always felt the need to give something to others, even if it was just a simple smile which would surely enlighten someone’s day.

This novel was written by Ruskin Bond in 1980 and was adapted into a Hindi Film in 2005 by Vishal Bharadwaj which also won the award for National Film Award For Best Children’s Film.

“It was that sort of sleep in which you wake every hour and think to yourself that you have not been sleeping at all; you can remember dreams that are like reflections, daytime thinking slightly warped.”
― Kim Stanley Robinson, Icehenge

Kim Stanley Robinson was born March 23rd, 1952 in Waukegan, Illionis. He later moved to Southern California when he was a child. He is an American writer in the genre Science Fiction who has published nineteen novels and many short stories. He is best known for his work Mars Triology.

He completed his B.A in 1974 from University of California, San Diego and completed M.A in English in the year 1975 from Boston University. In 1978 he moved back to California and worked as a bookseller for Orpheus Books. He completed his PhD in English in the year 1982 from UC San Diego.

Robinson has won numerous awards but his major ones are Hugo Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award for the Best Novel, Word Fantasy Award for the Best Novel, Ignotus Award-Foreign Novel, etc..

Robinson’s books have been translated into 24 languages and his major themes are - Nature and Culture, Ecological Sustainability, Economic and Social Justice, Scientists as Heroes (He really emphasised on this) and lastly Climate Change and Global Warming.

Since he majored in climate change and global warming he was appointed as Muir Environmental Fellow in 2011 by John Muir College at UC San Diego.

“You can't get any movement larger than five people without including at least one fucking idiot.”
― Kim Stanley Robinson, Green Mars

“I'm a reliable witness, you're a reliable witness, practically all God's children are reliable witnesses in their own estimation--which makes it funny how such different ideas of the same affair get about.”
― John Wyndham, The Kraken Wakes.

Hi hi hi everyone… hope July this far has been decent for all.

This week, we thought to come up with something a little different as Aliens-themed week starts. Hope you’ve enjoyed this journey with us till now and we’ll stay connected for more fun!

You just got some glimpses from The Kraken wakes which is an apocalyptic science fiction novel by John Wyndham, originally published by Michael Joseph in the United Kingdom in 1953. Where interestingly the title is a reference to Alfred Tennyson's sonnet The Kraken.

So basically…

The book describes escalating phases of what appears to be an invasion of Earth (by aliens) through the views of Mike Watson; He works for the English Broadcasting Company (EBC) with his wife and co-reporter Phyllis.

The plot goes somewhat like this:

“Ships are sinking for no apparent reason, carrying hundreds to a dark underwater grave. Strange fireballs race through the sky above the deepest trenches of the oceans. Something is about to show itself, something terrible and alien, a force capable of causing global catastrophe.”

Looks like an enjoyable read right! Do comment your thoughts below and you’re free to share your reviews if you’ve already seen Mrs. Watson’s struggle.

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“Intuition is like reading a word without having to spell it out. A child can't do that because it has had so little experience. A grown-up person knows the word because they've seen it often before.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder at the Vicarage

Born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K. on Sep 15, as Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller, she is a gem from 1890 cherished by the world, till date and for years to come.

Even today when you search ‘top mystery authors of all time‘ her name is sure to show up at the top marking her legacy. Agatha Christie has always been the best-selling author and will remain so too! after writing 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott in Romance with most of them becoming classics. Her works have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation.

Another fun fact, Index Translationum gives that she remains the most-translated individual author, having been translated into at least 103 languages. All bling-bling about her is found everywhere but did you know she served in a Devon hospital during the First World War and as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital, London, during the second … acquiring a good knowledge of poisons which feature in many of her novels.

As her expertise genre, Christie was herself in a mysterious disappearance for 11 days in 1926 the same year when The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was released; this book a major hit later marked as a genre classic and one of the author's all-time favorites. Christie had lost her mother and her husband came up with his affair with Nancy Neele … traumatized Agatha left her home leaving behind a letter for her secretary saying that she was going to Yorkshire. Despite the massive manhunt she was not found for several days.

Later in 1930, Christie got married to archaeologist Max Mallowan with whom she traveled on several expeditions. These trips of her, later recounted in 1946 memoir Come, Tell Me How You Live. Their marriage was delightfully beautiful and remained so till Christie’s death in 1976.

To end I’m bringing forward some of her words…

Christie said of herself in 1946:

"My chief dislikes are crowds, loud noises, gramophones, and cinemas. I dislike the taste of alcohol and do not like smoking. I do like sun, sea, flowers, traveling, strange foods, sports, concerts, theatres, pianos, and doing embroidery."

and here’s a piece of life advice ;)

“Use that fluff of yours you call a brain.”
― Agatha Christie, A Murder Is Announced

Hope you enjoyed the read…

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“But I know human nature, my friend, and I tell you that, suddenly confronted with the possibility of being tried for murder, the most innocent person will lose his head and do the most absurd things.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express

This amazing work of detective fiction, featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot was first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 1 January 1934.

Moving deeper in the plot (while trying not to give much spoilers) in the novel this elegant train of the 1930s, the Orient Express, is stopped by heavy snowfall. A murder is discovered, and Poirot's trip home to London from the Middle East is interrupted to solve the case.

You’ll get to travel places in Istanbul and Yugoslavia while the train is trapped between Vinkovci and Brod.

This midnight wasn’t only different for the passengers but the train to, as it was surprisingly full for the time of the year. And in the morning one of it’s crowd was found stabbed to death.

“At the small table, sitting very upright, was one of the ugliest old ladies he had ever seen. It was an ugliness of distinction - it fascinated rather than repelled.”

Hope you all get to enjoy some fascinations as well… happy reading

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“Going from man to father is one of the most dramatic changes you’ll ever experience. It’ll force you to rethink who you are, what you do, and what it means to be a man. Your relationships—with your partner, your parents, your friends, your coworkers—will change forever as you begin to reevaluate what’s important to you and reorder your priorities.”
― Armin A. Brott, The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year

So for the fatherhood-themed week, we’ve brought Armin A. Brott as the talk of the eve. You just read his quotes from his book The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year published in 1997, which has been among top sellers under the genre fatherhood.

Armin was born in August 1958 on the 24th, he’s an author, columnist, and radio host. Referred to as "superdad's superdad", by Time magazine, he has received recognition for his writings on parenting and fatherhood.

Currently living in Oakland California with his wife and 3 children, Armin has also given books for the second and third year under the series ‘The New Father’. Yeah, you can see where all the inspiration came from (Haha)…

His writing style is straightforward, honest, and fun, just like a first-hand account with nice storytelling. Armin also writes two nationally syndicated newspaper columns: Ask Mr. Dad and Parents@Play. While his work has also appeared in dozens of magazines, newspapers, and websites, including Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times Magazine, Men's Health, Redbook, Glamour, Sports Illustrated, Parenting, Huffington Post, DrPhil.com, Yahoo.com, DrLaura.com, and more.

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