Pile of new books all @ the Store !

Hi all,

It’s been a while.

Unfortunately this year, due to unforeseen reasons, we had to call off all our scheduled reading sessions and the planned treasure hunt. Disappointing for a few of us who had planned a great deal for these events. However, us being twistntales, we shall bounce back and surely we look forward to doing a treasure hunt in the future.

Meanwhile, a great many new books at the Store, listed below, very few reviewed. We hope to catch up on our reviews and hopefully get a few more done by the next mail.

We have also added to our team. Two former tnt-ians return to the fold. Shradha, who worked with twistntales in our early years, comes back to strengthen the Operations Team. She joined us in early April. Dhiraj, who used to be with tnt on a part-time basis in our first 2 years, now returns as a full time employee. Welcome back, Shradha and Dhiraj. Your return could not have been better timed, helped us cope with crisis.

We have not announced a “Star of the Month” for the past couple of months, not because we have been wanting in “Star” performance, but because some of our stars are too shy of being acknowledged as Stars! Check twistntales.blogspot.com for details!

Without much ado, let’s get on with the books,

“The 3 Mistakes of My Life” by Chetan Bhagat @ Rs.95/- (257pgs)
With Ahmedabad as the backdrop for his third book, Chetan Bhagat ventures into the minds of the youth with a bend towards cricket. This book tells the fate of the dream of three friends who wanted to make it big in the field of cricket and what communal riots did to their dream.

“Cold Steel: Lakshmi Mittal And The Multi Billion-Dollar Battle For A Global Empire” by Tim Bouquet and Byron Ousey @ Rs.650/- (323pgs)
The gripping story of the biggest and most hard –fought industry takeover of recent years is skillfully analysed in this book featuring the’ Stallions of Steel’. Fast paced and compelling, the intrigue and strategies of the business world come to the fore and makes one realize the impact of mergers and takeovers on countries and continents. With unprecedented access to major players and papers, the authors have succeeded in documenting a phenomenal deal, replete with the subterfuges, loop holing, internal skirmishes and unabashed thirst for power.

“Brida” by Paulo Coelho @ Rs.295/- (299pgs)
What does one do when one turns to learn the art of magic? This is the engrossing story of beautiful, young Brida’s quest for her kind of knowledge and her soul mate. The journey of every person’s anxiety of the future and curiosity of what lies further in life is mystically explored.

“The Painter of Shanghai” by Jennifer Cody Epstein @ Rs.395/- (486pgs)
Spanning the era of 1913 to 1957, this storyline transports one to the exciting mix of countries that Shanghai let flourish on its land. It is here that the story of PanYuliang, a young orphan is admitted into the life of being a concubine to a government inspector. Throughout her tumultuous life there is one passion that endures – her hope and aspiration to become a painter. Pan Yuliang lives and succeeds as she chose. This book is her story.

“The Trouble with Physics” by Lee Smolin @ Rs.275/- (392pgs)
From a pioneering theoretical physicist and the critically acclaimed author of ‘The life of Cosmos’ and ‘Three roads to Quantum Gravity’ is a book which focuses on the five major challenges faced by modern physicists. From the problem of quantum gravity to the problem of the unification of the particles and forces and the mystery of the dark matter and dark energy, the author journeys through the advancements (and glitches) in modern physics. The last of the twenty chapters are real eye-openers, which deal with the basic concepts of science-what it really is and how it works.

“The Back Of The Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures” by Dan Roam @Rs.845/- (278pgs)
Out to promote the concept of ‘visual thinking’ the author brilliantly illustrates how squiggles, dashes and arrows could represent major brainwaves and translate into whopping sales figures. His step by step guidelines for how to clarify a problem or sell an idea by visually breaking it down using a simple set of visual-thinking tools are a great help in clearing some and overcoming some communication gaps; as well as dramatically improve your ability to share your insights.

“Behenji: A Political Biography of Mayavati” by Ajoy Bose @ Rs.499/- (277pgs)
Ajoy Bose in his inimitable style and penchant to get to the crux of every matter presents the background of the meteoric rise of school teacher, Mayavati to Chief Minister of UP Mayavati, Behenji. Through the fifteen chapters of this book, Mayavati’s determined journey from being a Dalit person to aiming at Prime Ministers chair is brilliantly scripted. Mayavati has changed the face of politics in India, turning old assumptions upside down and restructuring power equations entrenched for centuries. With her in-your-face political style, unabashed display of accumulated wealth and mercurial nature, she is perhaps, the most enigmatic Indian politician for decades.

“The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama” by Pico Iyer @ Rs.499/- (252pgs)
A book by Pico Iyer ensures, automatically, an adventurous ride with the author, wherever he leads and whomever he meets! This book is no exception. The encounters with the Dalai Lama, his philosophies and vision his grit and the passionate plea for peace leaves one mesmerized, yet aware of the hidden life and transforming ideas that conviction in justice can promote. Pico Iyer has been engaged in conversation with the Dalai Lama (a friend of his fathers) for the last three decades- an ongoing exploration of his message and its effectiveness. Moving from Dharamshala to Lhasa, Tibet to venues in the West, where the Dalai Lama’s pragmatism, rigor and scholarship are sometimes lost on an audience yearning for mystical visions, The Open Road illuminates the hidden life, the transforming lines and the daily challenges of a global icon.


“Goodnight and God Bless: On Life, Literature and A Few Other Things with Footnotes, Quotes and Other Such Literary Diversions” by Anita Nair@ Rs.399/- (287pgs)
A warm and wonderful collection of pithy bedtime ruminations, this book is about books, authors, events- all and sundry, personal anecdotes, snippets of a conversation and any random thoughts that flit across the authors mind. Rendered in a witty and ironic manner. Quirky sketches and foot notes make this an intriguing leisure read.

“Thakur: A Life of Sri Ramakrishna” by Rajiv Mehrotra @ Rs.250/- (178pgs)
From a personal student of the Dalai Lama, a familiar face on television and a celebrated documentary film maker comes an illuminating and intimate biography of Sri Ramakrishna- Who called to the inner minds of millions of people and helped them gain peace and knowledge about their own ‘self ‘. From Sri Ramakrishna’s birth, childhood and family to his journey seeking peace and ultimate Mahasamadhi, the author gently explores the charisma of the Guru who was more friend than teacher to each of those who believed in him.

“The Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian” by C.S. Lewis@ Rs.125/- (240pgs)
When a prince, denied of his rightful throne attempts to regain his inheritance in the land of Narnia- mysticism, mystery, adventure and a war of titans to uphold their honour is what ensues. Now a major motion picture, this is the perfect opportunity to capture the essence of ‘Prince Caspian’. To aid your imagination are picture plates from the movie inside the book!

“The Ultimate Book of Useless Information” by Noel Botham @ Rs.295/- (212pgs)
Did you know why the ‘quark’, a subatomic particle is called a quark? How did the term ‘chortle’ originate? What’s the highest scoring three- letter word in scrabble? Slyvester Stallone used to sweep the lion cages in New York cities Central Park Zoo! Cyprus has a map on its flag! To know more and learn better about people, countries and even the weather look up this book. It’s all there- together!

“Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul” @ Rs.275/- (302pgs)
“Allie Finkles rules for Giris Moving Day” by Meg Cabot @Rs.299/-(197pgs)
“The Other Indians – A Political and Cultural history of South Asians in America” by Vinay Lal @Rs.295/- (148pgs)
“Asset Allocation – Balancing financial risk” By Roger C.Gibson @Rs.625/- (366pgs)
“Barack Obama: The New Face of American Politics” by Martin Dupius and Keith Boeckelman @Rs.295/- (167pgs)
“Limping To the Centre of the World – A journey to Mount Kailash” by Timeri N Murari @Rs.350/-
“Viva Santiago” by Colin Fernandes @ Rs.199/-
“The Bioscope Man” by Indrajit Hazra @Rs.299/-
“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch @Rs.295/-
“The Girl with the Golden Parasol” by Uday Prakash @Rs.250/-
“Seeing Is Believing – Selected writings on Cinema” by Chinanda Das Gupta @ Rs.499/-
“Bhowani Junction: A Magnificent Novel of Empire and Its Aftermath” by John Masters@ Rs.350/- (414pgs)
“Groundswell: Winning In A World Transformed By Social Technologies” by Josh Bernoff @ Rs.1270/- (286pgs)
“The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga @ Rs.395/- (321pgs)
“The Shape Of The Beast: Conversations with Arundhati Roy” @ Rs.499/- (271pgs)
“Under Her Spell: Roberto Rossellini In India” by Dileep Padgaonkar @ Rs.550/- (263pgs)
“An Hour to Live an Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given” by Richard Carlson and Kristine Carlson @ Rs.580/- (61pgs)
“Meanwhile Upriver” by Chatura Rao @ Rs.250/- (206pgs)
“Jalyatra: Exploring India’s Traditional Water Management Systems” by Nitya Jacob @ Rs.295/- (264pgs)
“The Power Of Focus For College Students: How to Make College the Best Investment of Your Life” by Les Hewitt @ Rs.250/- (289pgs)
“Rage, Reconciliation And Security: Managing India’s Diversities” by B.G Varghese @ 495/- (266pgs)
“Think India: The Rise of the World’s Next Superpower and What It Means For Every American” by Vinay Rai and William Simon @ Rs.495/- (284pgs)
“Rivals: How the Power Struggle between China India and Japan Will Shape Our Next Decade” by Bill Emmot @ Rs.695/- (313pgs)
“The Untold Charminar: Writings on Hyderabad” Edited by Syeda Imam @ Rs.399/- (395pgs)
“The Second World: Empires and Influences in the New Global Order” by Parag Khanna @ Rs.795/- (466pgs)
“Atisa and the Seven Wonders” by Anu Kumar @Rs.175/- (139pgs)
“Mulla Naseruddin” by Sampurnan Chatterjee@ Rs.195/- (162pgs)
“Every Mans’ Speaking Tree” @ Rs.150/- (206pgs)
“Sacred Banana Leaf “@ Rs.375/- Tara Books
“The Old Animals Forest Band” @ Rs.395/- Tara Books
“My Best Friends Life” by Shari Low @Rs.225/- (390pgs)
“Commonwealth Economics for a Crowded Planet” by Jeffery Sachs @ Rs.695/- (386pgs)
“The World Is What It Is: The Authorized Biography of V.S. Naipaul” by Patrick French @ Rs.595/- (555pgs)
“Selected Poems: Gulzar” translated by Pavan K Varma @ Rs.295/- (116pgs)
“The Long Partition And The Making Of Modern South Asia: Refugees, Boundaries, Histories” by Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar @ Rs.495/- (288pgs)
“The Game Changer: How You Can Drive Revenue and Profit Growth with Innovation” by A.G Lafley and Ram Charan @Rs.855/- (336pgs)
“The Kalam Effect: My Years with the President” by P.M.Nair @ Rs.250/- (147pgs)
“Derek’s Picks: The Best Quizzes Of Derek O’Brien” @ Rs.250/- (347pgs)
“The Boxwallah and the Middleman” by Raj Chatterjee @ Rs.250/- (206pgs)
“Superstar India: From Incredible To Unstoppable” by Shobaa De@ Rs.350/- (456pgs)
“Splendour In The Grass: Innovations in Administration” Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India @Rs.495/- (305pgs)
“The New Age Of Innovation: Driving Co-Created Value through Global Networks” by C.K Prahlad and M.S Krishnan @ Rs.695/- (278pgs)
“Drop Dead Beautiful: The Continuing Adventures of Lucky Santangelo” by Jackie Collins @Rs.245/- (516pgs)
“There’s no such thing as a Self Made Man” by Prahlad Chaabria @ Rs.550/-
“Extraordinary Child – Poems from a South Indian Devotional Genre” @ Rs.375/- (297 pgs)
“Outlook money – Life Insurance” @ Rs. 75/-
“Silent Raga” by Ameen Raga @ Rs. 395/- (452 pgs)
“A New Beginning – The Turnaround Story of Indian Bank” by Ranjana Kumar @ Rs.675/- (301 pgs)

And lots and lots more, not even listed.

Do drop in and take a look!

From the team at

twistntales.

On Mother's Day

WHEN GOD CREATED MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, GREAT GRANDMOTHERS, GODMOTHERS.
by Erma Bombeck

When the good Lord was creating mothers,grandmothers, great-grandmothers, godmothers and all who mother us, he was into the sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you seen the specs on this order?" "She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; Have 180 moveable parts... all replaceable; Run on black coffee and leftovers; Have a lap that disappears when she stands up; A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair; And six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said," Six pairs of hands...no way!"
"It's not the hands that are causing the problems," said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."
" That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. " One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, "What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here infront that can look at a child when he goofs up and say 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently, "Come to bed. Tomorrow..."
"I can't," said the Lord, " I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine year old to stand under the shower."
The angel circled the model of the mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.
"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure."
"Can it think?"
"Not only think, but it can reason and comprimise," said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak, " she pronounced. "I told you you were trying to put too much into this model."
"It's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's s tear."
"What's it for?"
" It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride."
"You're a genius!" said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there."

Happy Mothers Day.

Hot Library Smut

Dreams...what are we but they, magnified and shaped with love...

If I have my way, these will be my home for atleast a week each...

Life goes on ....

Thank you all for your support and empathy.

We lost one of our closest supporters and cheerleaders on the 18th of April. When i announced in Jan, 2002 that i was planning to open a bookstore, he sent me a card, "Congratulations ! You have a new job" ... i'm sure he must have spent hours in all card shops in Vasant Kunj, before he settled on this one.... and decided to correct the appropriateness of the card."Few could envy you", he said.

Books have always been a passion in the family, both mine and Shankars. For my father-in-law, books had to be devoured, underlined, notes written in margins - esp. his favorite physics and popular sciences. He died hoping to publish his physics writings, which were so fundamental and foundation shaking, he was hoping to take a crack at the Nobel !

We will miss him. Walking into twistntales looking straight at "Physics" rack. We now call it "sciences". It was a Kumardhara, tnt combo in his Van.

And thankyou all the others, who didnt think twice to pitch in to keep the Store running. thanks, jahnavi, kshitija, sonali. Shradha, you couldn't have re-joined at a more appropriate time. Welcome back.

But there's more. For one person who's too shy to be acknowledged as "Star" of the month. And she's been star on more occasions than this, but hasn't allowed me to acknowledge publicly. Thanks. We know who this is. Thankyou.