Book Reviews

Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience

Author: Reema Abbasi
Photographs: Madiha Aijaz
Publisher: Niyogi Books, New Delhi
(Pp 296, ISBN 978-93-83098-49-1)

As long as faith is infinite, faiths will be indestructible. The Temples of Pakistan are much more than mere symbols of faith for a religious minority. Not only are they vestiges of ancient lore in Hindu mythology, they also stand like warriors of time; pitted testaments of a peaceful, pluralistic past. The book is a tribute to these wonderful temples.

Elaborately embellished with evocative photographs of antiquated and exquisite Hindu shrines, opulent rituals and festivals and regional populace, the book has extensive research and exceptional pilgrimage sites like Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave Temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir and Shivala Mandir, to name a few. With vivid introductions and sweeping images, the book also presents a celebration of various festivals, celebrated with passion and fervor. One look at the book and you are bound to pick it up. Beautifully printed on art paper, with mesmerizing pictures, the book takes reader on a journey into the lives of Hindus in Pakistan.

- Varsha

Passion Perseverance & Prayer

Author: Pooja Ruprell
Publisher: Body & Soul Books, an imprint Leadstart Publishing, Mumbai
(Pp 234, ISBN 978-93-81576-15-1, Rs 299)

Passion Perseverance & Prayer is all about everyday guidance and inspiration, juxtaposing the personal with the profound. It is a story, a diary, a guide – 52 inspirational, weekly readings to encourage readers to find beauty, shine and muster to carry on through tough times. It blends everyday experiences and observations with the insights of philosophers.

Divided into 12 themes – one each for each month – the book shows how to be happy, every day. Reader can pick up any topic of his choice and practice it for a month, before moving to another. A beautiful book on the journey of happiness!

- Varsha Verma

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Faceless

Author: Nizam Ahmed
Publisher: BecomeShakespeare.com, Mumbai
(Pp 255, ISBN 978-93-83952-00-7, Rs 195)

Faceless is about a young boy Kabir, who on the verge of committing suicide, realises that he has superpowers. From here, he takes his life forward – to get even with his cunning boss, win back his love and be an admired superhero. Though the story is good and fast-paced, there are a few glitches as well. There are some loose ends in the story. But, overall, it is entertaining.

- Vasu V

Ordered to Laugh

Author: Sudhir Mudgal
Publisher: Orient Publishing
(Pp 152, ISBN 9788122205251, Rs 195)

Indian armed forces and its allied services, branches and organisations – all know that laughter is the best medicine. This book is not just a ‘joke’ book; it is a compilation of authentic and uniformed jokes, anecdotes and comic situations in the Indian armed forces. The cover of the book is equally interesting – while a major is falling down, the soldiers are saluting him, instead of helping him. All the jokes are in good humour – incisive, direct and succinct. So if you wish to read something on a lighter note, this one is for you and it is bound to make you smile.

- Varsha Verma

Book Reviews

Heavenly Living, Here & Now

Author: VK Subramanian
Publisher: Abhinav Publications, New Delhi
(Pp 176, ISBN 9788170174974, Rs 350)

The book is a sequel to the author’s highly popular book – The Holistic Way to Health, Happiness and Harmony. It propounds the philosophy of spiritually oriented, ethical Hedonism is the key to the creation of heaven on earth. It focuses on seven main topics –time management, enrichment of post-retirement life, wisdom for women, opting for optimism, a healthy diet programme, how to fact ultimate certainty – death and solace of spirituality. Written in an easy to understand language, the book will benefit all those who seek direction for enjoying true happiness.

- Vasu V

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Stress to Serenity

Author: Amar Chandel
Publisher: Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
(Pp 208, ISBN 9789322008406, Rs 295)

One look at the book and one is bound to pick it up – the title Stress to Serenity immediately attracts and even the title cover makes you feel at peace. It’s not just the look but the content is also very promising. Who is not stressed in this fast-pace, busy and competitive life? But, stress is not just about external factors. Infact, it just depends 20 percent on the external environment but the other 80 percent is the result of how we react to persons, places or situations. The key to moving from stress to serenity is observing and modifying one’s own thinking process and responses. This is just what the book teaches you. Aided with beautiful illustrations, handy exercises, examples and case studies, it’s a must-read book for people of all ages.

- Varsha Verma

Unjunked: Healthy Eating for Weight Loss

Author: Suman Agarwal
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House, Mumbai
(Pp 202, ISBN 978-81-8495-566-8, Rs 496)

The first and foremost lesson in weight loss is eating right. But, that does not mean you need to eat only steamed vegetables and roughage. You can actually eat scrumptious food and yet be healthy. The author Suman Agarwal is a nutritionist and founder of Selfcare. She tells readers how good, fresh food can be deliciously prepared. The book is all you will need to transform the way you eat and feel. It contains around 80 recipes to take care of every meal of the week and every craving you might have. Each recipe comes with a complete nutritional breakdown, as well as tips and techniques that will keep you eating smart. Full-colour picture of the recipe actually makes to try these healthy foods.

- Varsha Verma

Book Reviews

The Bhairav Putras

Author: Suhail Mathur
Publisher: Red Ink Publishers, New Delhi
(Pp 343, ISBN 978-81-929-324-91, Rs 245)

Mythology has always enticed readers and debutant authors are giving a fresh tinge to these novels. The Bhairav Putras is an intriguing book which is not only thrilling but adventurous as well. Set in 1936, the book has a very contemporary feel to it and shows that it is well – researched. Though written by a debutant author Suhail Mathur, the book is well-written and full of twists and turns.

This is a classic and legendary tale of a band of men who defied the norms to fight guns, deception and intrigue at every corner of their thrilling escapades, which unfortunately got lost, somewhere in the annals of history.

So, if you are looking for a fast-paced thrilling novel, The Bhairav Putras is for you!

–Varsha Verma

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I Am Dead But My Heart Beats

Author: Priyank
Publisher: Teenage Publishers, New Delhi
(Pp 224, ISBN 978-81-929-324-39, Rs 140)

Based on true life story, it is an attempt by a debt author Priyank as a tribute to his beloved. The book is about four youngsters from different communities speaking different languages. Set in the time of communal riots, the story is about love, community, hatred, sacrifice and hope. Some of the instances are so real; you can actually feel that they are taken from your life.

–Vasu V

The Last Puff

Author: Dr Sajeela Maini
Publisher: Sajeela Publishing House, New Delhi
(Pp 284, ISBN 978-93-5137-478-7, Rs 395)

A smoker has a weird and wonderful bond with his cigarette. He loves his cigarettes as much as he hates them. Categorically written for all those smokers who wish to quit smoking, the book handholds the reader in this process of quitting smoking. The book is divided into four parts – the smoker (smoker’s mind, the last puff preparedness questionnaire, mirages and truths), the facts (why tobacco and other products are harmful), the mantras to quit smoking, and the therapy (therapy and relapse prevention mantras (RPM).

The author Dr Sajeela Maini has given real-life examples of her experiences with smokers for more than a decade. This book is an attempt to dentangle the addiction and set smokers free from bondage and slavery of cigarettes.

–Varsha Verma

Book Reviews

What Would apple Do?

Author: Dirk Beckmann
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
(Pp 184, ISBN 978-81-8495-563-7, Rs 299)

Apple’s must-have products add up to one giant success story – iPod, iPad, iTunes, App store, et al. What makes Apple the most innovative company on the planet? Well, Apple is more than just Steve Jobs. Apple is a concept – it does exactly the opposite of what any other company would do. Unlike Google and other internet giants, it makes its users pay for the products. It combines traditional business thinking with the endless opportunities of the digital age.

The book What Apple Would Do? reveals how you can learn from Apple to develop compelling business ideas and market them successfully. And this seems to be a concept worth learning! The author has gone a step further by penning his thoughts on what would happen if Apple developed a car, a kitchen, a TV, an e-learning platform, travel agent or a toy system. All in all, it is an interesting book and gives an insight on the learnings from Apple.

–Vasu V

The Unwanted Shadow

Author: Bhaskaryaa Deka
Publisher: Half Baked Beans Publishing, New Delhi
(Pp 168, ISBN 978-81-928936-1-7, Rs 175)

The novel The Unwanted Shadow is a thriller from Indian author Bhaskaryaa Deka. The story revolves around Mohan who moves to Delhi to put memories of his past behind. Two years later, when things seem to be going as per his wishes, darkness is ready to engulf him again. But, there is someone who can save him – a friend, an enemy…an unwanted shadow.

The characters and the incidents in the book seem real. An interesting book that hooks the reader to the end!

–Varsha Verma

Book Reviews

Understanding Asa-di-Var: The Morning Prayer

Author: Satjit Wadva
Publisher: KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
(Pp 256, ISBN 978-93-81904-27-5, Rs 595)

Asa-di-Var or the song of hope is one of the morning prayers enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib. It takes you back to yourself to seek within and find the divine residing in your heart. The book is an attempt to decode the words and paraphrase the poetry to state the underlying message, so that you listen to the musical rendition and let the message sink deep into your heart.

The verses are given in Punjabi language, its transliteration in English, then in Hindi and also in English. So, people who cannot read or understand Punjabi, can also be blessed with this song of hope.

–Varsha 

Spirituality in Daily Life

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Author: JP Vaswani Publisher: Gita Publishing House, Pune
(Pp 440, ISBN 978-93-80743-67-7, Rs 250)

This small-sized book is a powerful book that teaches that spirituality is not an abstract, complex pursuit that is often made out to be. It is born out of an inner aspiration, an awakening to the realization that there is more to life than materialism.

Divided into three sections – what is spirituality, preparing to walk the way of spirituality and the VIDGYOR of spirituality, the book tries to make one aware of one’s inner being, which is more powerful than we can think of. For busy people, the book has an afterword, which gives practical suggestions that one can follow on the path of spirituality. Easy-to-understand, the book helps one explore the firmament of the spirit.

–Varsha

Don’t Lose Out, Work Out!

Author: Rujuta Diwekar Publisher: Westland Ltd 

(Pp 260, ISBN 978-93-83260-95-9, Rs 250)

When you pick up a book from Rujuta, you are bound to get some easy, practical tips to stay fit. Through this book, Rujuta tackles every myth and fad on exercise, demystifies it for everyone and presents it as not a brainless activity but a science which has the potential to combat ageing and all lifestyle disorders including diabetes and obesity. Strength training, cardio and yoga are also detailed along with their pre- and post-workout meals, an often neglected but crucial aspect.

Both diet and exercise are important to keep fit. Rujuta delves into the what, how and when of eating as well. The book actually talks to you, it does not preaches. Real-life examples add to its authenticity and simplicity. All in all, it is a very practical book on exercise and staying fit.

–Varsha

Temple Trips – South India

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Research and Written by: Janaki Venkataraman and Supriya Sehgal
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, New Delhi
(Pp 276, ISBN 978-1-74321-971-3)

The Hindu temples of South India offer pilgrimages that are voyages into faith, antique rituals and varied history. Song, dance, hymn and sculpture have sprung from these temples that have withstood centuries as centres of prayer. A temple trip to South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) shows myriad hues of our rich tradition.

Researched and written by Janaki Venkataraman and Supriya Sehgal, Temple Trips- South India gives detailed information about 100 temples, 130 festivals, 20 pilgrimages, besides expert pick of history, heritage and culture. The book gives complete information for making perfect travel plans, right from accommodation, eating places, activities to do there, shopping areas and most importantly how to get around.

Exquisite pictures take the readers on a journey to these mystical places. A well-researched travel guide for all who wish to take a trip to South India or just enjoy the splendor in the comfort of their home!

–Varsha Verma