Book Review: The Forgotten Sagas

History, mythology, and fantasy are the genres in literary writing that can never lose favor among writers or readers. The present time is where everyone shares a rich history of myths, legends, and events that shaped the fragment of today. As there was not a much-written record of many things in the earlier days, it becomes everyone’s duty to protect that heritage and preserve it for future generations. A team of young writers does this effort in this direction in Trisha Saxena’s edited and complied anthology, “The Forgotten Sagas: Tales of Verses of Aeons.”

The title has been chosen very wisely as from here that the readers are prepared to read and know many facts, myths, and legendary tales that otherwise they may be unaware of. Saxena places the contributions of the young writers in a skillful manner. By the time the readers complete the first few presentations of the first section, they are in the grip of the text as a whole and cannot keep “The Forgotten Sagas” away. Stories like “Nacheli- The Bare Truth” by Manoj Vaz, “Limitless” by Aruna Parandhama, “The Kingdom of Sheraghati” by Prajwal Shukla, and others lay the foundation stone of the series of sagas that may have been forgotten over time, but due to the efforts of the young writers, they may rise from the ashes like a phoenix only to remain in the memory of the readers. Other than these, “The Forgotten Sagas” features a lot of work not just in prose but has the presence of poetic works here and there. All of them have uniqueness and style of their own, but to name a few that the readers would hold on to include “Greek Mystique” by Udita Pendse, “The Unsent Letters” by Dia Mehta, Belle by Rhea Sethi, and many others. Other vital works in this regard that are worth mentioning include “The One” by Arjun Naik, “The Unfolded Myth” by Afreen Fatima, “The Lost Lessons” by Swadha Agrawal, and others. The readers would have their personal favorites as they read through. 

“The Forgotten Sagas” is one of the few books that can be re-read by readers time and again, whether in the form of a bedtime story or a tea-time partner. Every prose or poetic piece is a universe in itself and makes the readers want to know more about what the writers are writing about. They may have heard of them here and there, but the author’s contributions may help them join the dots of unknown facts. The cherry on the top is the language and the narrative technique that has been used. This makes it easier for the readers to understand the text, remain entertained and interested at the same time. The readers are likely to find a lot of captivating and striking content that will hold the readers’ attention and make them aware of the hidden facts and stories, which may be the life and blood of the places and towns they have not visited.

Book Review: Little Occult Affairs

Every person has a story to share, and the diversity of their exposure and experiences is what differentiates one story from the other. When collected together, these stories become fragments of a bigger whole and add up to become a memorable experience for the readers. This is the charm of the anthology “Little Occult Affairs: Untold Mysteries Unfold,” edited and compiled by Yash Runwal. Runwal, through his prudence and favor to the darker elements of life, handpicks 25 stories that are a product of meditative minds who think and feel different things the same way.

The stories have diverse themes and feature the talents of the young writers in a comprehensive yet concise form. The exploration of the darker elements where life is not all about the fairytale pieces makes the anthology a work of maturity and holds more relevance for the present time. The readers get to read the reality in its raw form and face it the way it is. There is the presence of a variety of themes that show the other side of the human world which includes crime, negativities, dark sides of people, and the extents to which they can go to harm others. The editor keeps the work diverse, and yet there are common elements that the readers can trace. But that does not let any work become similar to any other. 

Stories like “The New Bride” by Kuldeep C, “The Almirah Ghost” by Midhun Harilal, “Soulonosis” by Sachin Shanbhag, “Dead or Alive?” by Nayanika Chatterjee, and perhaps all others are distinct from one another yet match each other. Every story bears the impressions of the young minds and their way of perceiving all they have witnessed or heard of. These stories are merely an introduction to the budding writers who would blossom at an individual level as they grow and attain worldly experience. The coordination and the manner in which Runwal has made efforts is reflected in the stories that he picks and features in the book. 

The language used in “Little Occult Affairs” is also friendly to the understanding of an average reader, and every reader is bound to have a profound impact on their minds after finishing the anthology. The readers who like reading short stories can try reading this anthology where they would get to hear the thoughts of different minds focusing on the same themes. Even if the stories are short, sometimes, the characters built by the authors are also compelling and individualistic. These are only some of the features that make this anthology a recommended reading for all those who want to try reading something new and fresh.

Book Review: In Search of a New Home

Children are receptive to everything they see and quick to learn. Above that, they are highly inquisitive by nature and want to know just everything. This is the reason that whatever they learn in the early stages of life gets imprinted in their minds for the rest of their lives. Most importantly, all that becomes their strongest memory and keep recalling things when they grow up or have some free time. Children’s books are written keeping this fact in mind, and that is why they are made colorful with lots of illustrations. Dr. Smita Chandrashekarappa writes her book, “In Search Of a New Home In Space,” keeping all these facts and features in mind. The book serves as an adventurous and thrilling experience for young readers and a good story to become a memory of their childhood. The broad feature of the plot is the journey to the unknown and unseen realms of the universe, which most of us have only heard about or seen in books. “In Search Of a New Home In Space” may also prove helpful in enhancing the understanding of young children about space and related basic facts.

The book has a fast-paced story that is easy for children to remember and they also get their scientific facts and knowledge clear through this search for a home. The featuring of the character of an alien as a character creates a spark in the imagination of young readers from the cover itself. The colorful cover and the featuring of an alien traveling in a space ships prompts the young readers to get their hands on the book at once and read what the book has to say. After that, they are taken on a journey where, through the alien, they get to explore different planets in the solar system and also get familiar with the atmospheric conditions on them. It may not be easy to remember these little details for the young ones. Still, they will surely memorize by heart in the second or third reading if appropriately narrated with the necessary changes in speaking style, essential illustrations, their involvement, etc. The children are likely to have an enjoyable experience within the four walls and would feel like they have traveled space through one book. In this time, when children are not going to school, their hyperactive minds can be kept engaged and productive with the help of such books. Dr. Chandrashekarappa’s effort in this direction is praiseworthy. 

“In Search Of a New Home In Space” is recommended to all parents who intend to make their children aware of the world around them and make facts permanent in their minds by the usage of appropriate materials. Reading such books is bound to provide a solid foundation for the future education of children. At the same time, the book can be enjoyed by all elders while teaching scientific facts to their children. The book is short, as per the need of children, it has fewer words, as per their retention power, it has more pictures, keeping in mind their cognitive abilities. Scientifically, it matches the abilities of children which makes it a recommended reading. Overall, “In Search Of a New Home In Space” is a recommended book for everyone old or young. Grown-up readers may also find this book of their interest and pick it up for the young ones in their family. This book is also suggested to parents who want to initiate their children into the world of reading so that they can develop the habit of reading for a strong foundation for their future.

Book Review: God: The Best Friend and Guide

Generally, everyone is so caught up with life and challenges it brings and in the race to get better, to be faster than others, and to excel in their respective fields, everyone tends to appreciate the little things of life. As times have changed, and there has been a boom in technology which has revolutionized human lives, it has added fuel to the stress levels of people, and as a result their primary targets are the satisfaction of their material needs. In his book, “God, The Best Friend and Guide: A Monk’s Journey Into The Corporate World”, Jaydip Das talks about this fact, and it forms the base of the book.

The cover of the book clearly depicts a monk who looks at the sky scrappers which are symbolic of city life, and the corporate world. The title for a moment, may mislead the readers, and they may interpret the book to be about religion, and the religious aspect of God. But it is on reading that they realize the life changing book “God, The Best Friend and Guide” can be. 

Through his first person account, the unnamed narrator (the author) recounts his life from his early school-days when his interest in the lives of mystics and spirituality developed. With a very strong and sharp memory, the narrator recalls every incident, person and every little episode that influenced and shaped his life which contributed in making him the person he is at present. He also recalls and tries to trace how the smallest events, meetings, and accidents mold his perspective of life from the beginning to the present day.

“God, The Best Friend and Guide” shows how God is present around everyone and can show His presence through any medium, whether it is living or non-living. Also, Das clearly conveys the message that it is hard work that actually pays off, and there is just no substitute of it. Throughout the book, the readers get to see how much hard work the narrator does. It may be one sided travel of 3 hours or putting his heart to studying, the narrator does not give up or back off anywhere. This is perhaps the most positive messages the book conveys and leaves a strong impact on the mind of the reader.

The narrative style used by the author is also commendable. He keeps Ganga as a representative of the present day humans who have lost their touch with spirituality and have lost themselves in the pursuit of satisfying their materialistic needs. Ganga as a person is inquisitive, attentive, and eager to hear and learn from the experience of the narrator.

Nowhere does the author suggest to renounce the world and become an ascetic or hermit as in the long run he does realize how important money is in the life of a person. But he suggests that a person should not forget to cater to the needs of the soul and try to see the beauty in little things and try to understand what the universe is trying to say. According to the author, there is a message in every little movement of the universe which happens around the person.

In “God, The Best Friend and Guide” the narrator comes across as a person who is industrious, eager to learn, loving towards his family, an obedient disciple of his Guru and at the same time always looking at the bright side of life. He does have his moments of sadness and negative feelings but that does not shake his faith in all his learning and his belief in the spiritual power. As a person, he comes out to be a strong man of character, integrity and high principles.

“God, The Best Friend and Guide” is an important read for the present generation of readers and even non readers. Some may categorise the book as motivational literature but that would be equal to doing injustice to the deeper and stronger messages the book conveys. At the same time, the book cannot be limited only to the readers belonging to the corporate world or the aspirants of it, but to all students who dream of a better life, and a good future. Due to the universal nature of the book, it is bound to be on the shelves of coming generations as spirituality is not something that can be restricted to any one generation, or it would lose it applicability in any time. The true essence of spirituality was shared by thinkers and mystics long ago as the author mentions and people of not just India but the western countries also are going back to the teachings of the same thinkers. If their teachings have been applicable generations, it is very certain that they would not lose applicability owing to the universal nature and unchanging psychology of human beings.

Book Review: GIG Economy in India Rising

No one in their wildest imagination would have thought of the present-day situation where the world faces the pandemic of COVID-19. If nothing else, this pandemic has undoubtedly increased the importance of money as only those who have it can survive through. In the end, everyone would agree that even though money is not everything, yet it is everything in the current scenario. How competitive and cut-throat time will be in the future is only a matter of guesswork. In such a time, Amitava Ghosh’s work, “GIG Economy In India Rising,” becomes a reading of significance for every single individual who hopes to develop better opportunities for himself in the future.

Many readers may not be aware of the concept of the GIG Economy, but as the author stresses, it is the need of the hour. Ghosh also hints that GIG Economy would emerge as the system on which the foundation of the future is likely to lay on. Since the future is based on a strong foundation in the present, this book becomes an essential work for reading. The author begins the book with an introduction, where he clears the basic concept of the GIG Economy. He also stresses the importance of the book and how important it is. He invites the readers to go through the book and have a view of what the author thinks of the future.

The cover of the book and the images on the exterior give a fair idea of the book not being any academic book meant for students. The introduction by the author does the rest of the job effortlessly.

Considering the “GIG Economy” as a mere document of a different kind of economic system which is in its nascent stages would not mean doing complete justice to the message of the book. The subtitle of the book, “Take a Step Ahead, Discover Work-Life Balance, As Social Security is in Creation,” gives a clear idea about the aspects the author is going to cover in his book and how wide the dimensions of the book are.

Ghosh keeps the language of his book lucid and straightforward for every reader to understand. The things he talks about in the book are quite specific, concise, and focused. The readers understand his points and agree to them too. Through the twelve chapters he has written, the author tries to clear every possible question a reader could have in mind. He begins by building up the concepts from the very basics of the rise of the GIG and the reasons behind it. He talks about how technology became an impetus in catalyzing and revolutionizing the money earning systems. He also talks about how the GIG Economy has impacted worldwide and how it had been progressing in India before the novel pandemic. Also, in the next chapter, he talks about how this is the emerging future of the country, how ther is anxiety among people regarding it, how it is a tool for job creation, and how this can work through even in the recession brought because of the pandemic. The readers who may feel unhappy with their monetary issues may find this book of importance. They may understand many things and may find their knowledge enriched by the reading of “GIG Economy”

Ghosh keeps the chapters short, but the ideas he conveys are powerful, profound, and pragmatic. At the same time, he also talks about the code of social security, which is in its infancy stage and may develop in the coming time. In light of this, he shares his vision in the closing chapters named “Synoptic view - Code on Social Security Bill 2020” and “India’s New Law in Conception on Social Security 2020”.

Here and there, Ghosh also gives illustrations and diagrams to share the data and facts with the readers to provide them with an ocular and concrete idea of his thoughts. The presentation of facts adds weight to his efforts, and diagramtic form makes it more interesting and inviting for the readers. All these factors make his work more strong and recommended. 

This book is one of the few books that every reader should read. Whether a fiction lover or a fan of non-fiction, it does not matter. Also, readers of every possible age should not have second thoughts before taking up this book for reading. This is so because the only aim and purpose of this book are to come as a handy opportunity for all those who want to make their lives better. As it has always been said that knowledge is the road to power, this book has a plethora of not just knowledge but significant facts and information. In this manner, the book becomes a comprehensive guide to the developing concept of the GIG Economy. Also, it gives ideas to readers to become job providers instead of job seekers.

Book Review: Ellie and Orin Prophecy

Since earlier times, adults, as well as children, get fascinated by the tales of the unknown, myths, or the realms they have not visited. Due to the imaginative elements, such stories invoke the interest of perhaps all kinds of readers and listeners right from the beginning.  One such story that has the potential to reach out to as many readers is Gagan Saini’s “Ellie and Orin Prophecy.” Saini’s work, right from the beginning, carries the air of suspense and mystery. The beauty of the book is that despite the author shares every possible detail, there remains something unsaid. The readers can sense it very well which leads to a rise in their curiosity levels keeping them in the grip of the story until the very last words. Other than this, well-developed, realistic characters with situations and stories close to life trigger the interest of the readers in no time.

“Ellie and Orin Prophecy” features all the ingredients to create an exciting mixture for the readers and give them a thrilling experience as they read through the book. For once, the text may seem a little long, but the manner of narration and the series of events is enough for any reader to overlook is this fact. There is the mention of fairies, fairyland, the reach of fairies in the human world and their interaction, the good and the evil powers, etc. All this is more than enough to make the book a package deal for children and adolescents and a thing of attraction for grown-up readers.

Stories with fairies and mythical characters like unicorns have always been a strong attraction among storytellers and listeners. Saini’s book has an amalgamation of all elements and what gives uniqueness to the story is the manner in which he narrates it to the readers. He takes the construction of the plot in a linear fashion and keeps the protagonist in highlight. In the initial stages, he keeps the action quite close to earth and life on earth, and as the plot progresses, he gives small twists to transfer the readers to the lands which have not been visited by anyone so far. Among all this, the young protagonist, Ellie, lives through in her human form, and as time and situation call for it, destiny makes her face her real self at the right time.

“Ellie and Orin Prophecy” has the potential to keep the readers in the hold of the book as they read through and the carefully planned sequence of events does the rest of the work. Even though the readers may attempt guessing how things would unfold yet, the author surprises them every time. This is one of the few things that remains the charm of the book until the end.

Apart from this, the author also talks about other issues that the readers can only decipher when they read between the lines. The manner in which he narrates the incidents in Ellie’s school makes her situation relatable for the readers. The biased and more or less corrupt system and its innocent victims find explicit mention in the story. He even hints about how these incidents can affect young minds and scar them for life. All this is mentioned briefly, it is enough for the readers to understand what the author is hinting towards. The undying faith of Ellie’s grandmother in her grandchildren is also a thing of beauty in the text. The grandmother is an epitome of strength, courage, bravery, and positivity, who has unshakeable faith, which instills confidence in her grandchildren. The attitude of the grandmother gives a strong message to the older readers of having faith in their children in whatever they do and encourage them to get better.

Saini takes his raw material from the stories everyone may have heard or read about at some point of time. But he gives it a modern look by placing it in the contemporary present-day world, which makes it more closely relatable for many. All readers, young and old, can try reading “Ellie and Orin Prophecy” not just for its carefully packed events but also a simple language and well cut out lively characters. The plot progress is also well-paced, and the readers do not lose track of any circumstances. It would also be advisable to read the book with concentration as some earlier events find small references in the latter part of the book. Parents who want to encourage their children and develop their interest in reading can also find this book as a recommendation. Or, they could find this book a potential reading like a bedtime story. Overall, it can be said that Saini’s work is remarkable in its creativity and has all qualities to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the readers long after they have finished reading the book.

Book Review: My Letters To My Daughters

More than anything else, the legacy that the elders leave for the younger generations becomes a treasure for the younger ones and one of the reasons for them to look up to them. All their experiences, ways of working and their mistakes become important life lessons for the younger generations which help them to avoid all those and learn from them at the same time. In the light of this, Curfina Kimkhovah has attempted to leave her life’s legacy in her life’s work, “My Letters to My Daughters”. As simple as the title may seem, the work has a lot more depth and a lot more to say than it may seem to be on the surface. For once on reading the title, the readers are reminded of W.B. Yeats’ classic poem, “A Prayer for My Daughter”. However, Kimkhovah’s work bears the effect of modernity, and an easy differentiation would be of its being in the prose form. Most importantly, the readers may observe how far women have come where the address to their children is by them and they are not merely mute spectators. 

The book begins with an attractive colorful cover which gives the feeling of one generation transferring a letter to another generation which pretty much matches the subject content of the title. Thereafter, the author begins her book with the thought of the circumstances that led to her taking the decision of writing “My Letters to My Daughters” which is very personal for her. But, she makes sure to have the readers on board when she says that this book can be read by every daughter and the lessons shared by the author can be applied by all in their lives. Only on reading the book, the readers find out that the book is not merely restricted to the female gender rather all people, young and old, can read this book and apply the lessons that the author shares in it.

The author tries to draw examples from all the things she sees around her. Whether it is something abstract, or from nature or just anything, she goes beyond limits to illustrate her points to make things clearer and make them sound more sensible. Off and on, she keeps reminding the readers that all she is writing is on a personal level by addressing her daughters. This makes sure that the daughters reading would feel close and connected to the author and even more closer to the words she has written. Work with such nature where a parent is intending to address their offspring has been written quite less. That gives the work the status of unique and exceptional in its own way.

Every reader, old or young, should read “My Letters to My Daughters” which leaves not just a legacy from one generation to another but also has the potential to become a guide to many who have lost their way in life and may be straying from their paths. With a language intending to reach out readers of all kinds, the author sometimes tends to divert from the subject mentioned in the title and the readers forget that the book is mainly a set of letters, but she also manages to bring the readers back to where they began and they recollect what the book is about. A few readers may mistake the book to be in Samuel Richardson’s epistolary form of writing, but the letters are more of a metaphor instead of being an actual letter as Richardson’s work had. The letters are an epitome of the experiences of the author and all that she has learnt in her life while bringing up her children. 

Categorizing the book as a part of motivational literature would not be entirely wrong, as the hidden or intended message of the author is more or less to motivate the readers so that they can also make a difference in their lives as Cara does in her life. While on a motivational spree, there are a lot of important lessons to learn which some readers may be acquainted with or may not be. Overall, the book has something or the other to offer to all readers. All mothers who have something or the other to teach their daughters but have no time to present it in writing form can share this work with them so that their children also are not short of any learning and can try implementing the life changing lessons as mentioned by the author. 

Since the work is the debut of Kimkhovah, the readers can expect a lot more fictional or non-fictional content which would be filled with her experiences and acquired wisdom to serve as a guiding light to readers of not just the present day but also the times ahead.