Monday, December 7, 2009

For Shibani


Bangles


Hush, she says

It’s my day,

and I don’t want noise

Can’t you stop your clinking?

But they won’t listen


Green and gold and red

She pushes them down

One by one

Carefully

They gleam

Circle her wrist

Cool againstHer warm pulse

Like love


Glass, silver and gold

She holds up her arm

Runs a finger down

The bunch

They move

Against her skin

Restless

Impatient


Each time she moves

They remind her

That she is changed

Ever more intrinsically

That on this day

They are with her

Holding her



I wish I could've been there...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

To the "near perfect" couple


Best wishes for all the joys of a lovely wedded life ! From all of us here at twistntales.
To our dear Shibani and Umesh

Monday, November 9, 2009

Message sent to twistntales@yahoogroups.com today

Hi all,

Welcome to another mail reviewing all new and happening books in the past few days. With this mail, we complete 7 happy years of reviewing books for you. Our yahoo group (twistntales@yahoogroups.com), which we started in Nov 2002, (6 months after our Store started operations) is now 3000+ members strong and our readers are spread far and wide. Writing to you, some known and some unknown readers has been a complete joy :-)

Bringing these reviews to you, week after week, and now monthly has been a tremendous effort and the students who work at twistntales do put in their all in making sure that the reviews are done well, facts are correct and the more important or happening books are highlighted, at the same time, bringing absolute gems into the limelight. We are glad and happy that so many of you read and write back to us, or visit us enquiring about a particular book that we had reviewed, making it all worthwhile.

We have a lot of raving fans, but the biggest of our fans are kids! We have seen so many grow in twistntales. On the occasion of Children’s Day (Nov 14th), we at twistntales are happy to offer discounts on kids books all through this week. Starting Tuesday, 10th Nov, to Sun, 15th Nov, all books in the Children, Young Adults and GK (for kids) sections will be offered at a discounted price. Do drop in and check it out for your kids.

Getting back to reviews, here’s a long list waiting for you:

New Books:

Fiction:

“True Blue” by David Baldacci @ Rs. 505/- (Pgs 456)
Yet another bestseller from one of the world’s most favorite storytellers, True Blue, is the story of Mason Perry- A one-of-a-kind woman cop on the DC police force who gets kidnapped and framed for a crime she never committed. After two long years in prison she is determined to track down the people who set her up as she rebuilds her destroyed life. As she works her way around a US attorney who is determined to put her behind bars once more, she finds her fate entangled with Roy Kingman, a young lawyer. Roy and Mason get drawn into both the private and public world of the Nation’s capital, when what they thought was a routine homicide investigation begins to turn complex and possibly deadly…

“And Another Thing” by Eoin Colfer @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 340)
Published to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, And Another Thing is the sixth installment in the Englishman Arthur Dent’s hapless journey across time and space in search of a decent cuppa. Douglas Adams’ wish of wanting to write the sixth book in the Hitchhiker’s series was thwarted by his unfortunate death. However, Eoin Colfer, the creator of the acclaimed anti-hero Artemis Fowl was invited to set adrift the journey of Arthur Dent once more, which features this time an array of hilarious characters ranging from a pantheon of unemployed gods to a love struck alien. Pack your towel and enjoy the ride!

“The Book of Secrets” by Tom Harper @ Rs.380/- (Pgs 582)
Tom Harper, the author of Lost Temple, brings your way one more page-turner. A young woman discovers an extraordinary secret, in a snowbound village in the German mountains. She disappears, leaving behind a mysterious medieval playing card that has perplexed scholars for centuries. The Book Of Secrets is a fast reading book with a deadly mystery which if discovered will change the world.

“Indignation” by Philip Roth @ Rs. 295/- (pgs 233)
Indignation is a gripping saga about the frustrations of youth. It is the story of a young man named Marcus Messner whose life is constantly jeopardized by bizarre obstructions including his obnoxiously paranoid father who sights danger lurking in every corner just waiting to get his son. Based in the America of the 50’s amidst the volatile political scenario, it is ultimately a beautifully written coming of age story from a Pulitzer Prize winning author- Philip Roth.

“Julie & Julia: My Year Of Cooking Dangerously” by Julie Powell @ Rs. 325/- (Pgs 310)
Now a major movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, this is the story of a woman named Julie Powell, who lives a life of utter monotony stuck in a job she hates. One night she just begins to cook from legendary chef Julia Child’s French Cooking book. She cooks every one of the 524 recipes in the space of one year and it is all she can think about. The richness in the food she cooks begins to breathe a kind of richness into her life as well. Hilarious and honest, Julie and Julia makes for an inspiring read.

“The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” by Stieg Larsson @ Rs. 495/- (Pgs 602)
This is the final volume of the Millennium Trilogy and is the sequel to the bestselling ‘The Girl Who Played With Fire’. Lisbeth Salander had been abused by a system supposedly designed to protect. She is charged with murder and in addition to this; the state has determined that she is mentally unstable and should be locked away in an institution again. Everyone believes that she is the one person whose intransigence can provoke the disruption of the Swedish secret state. Will she be able to avoid the fate the Swedish state has decided for her? This last installment is the culmination of one of the most mesmerizing fictional achievements of our time.

Indian Writing

“The Silent One” by Sujatha Vijayaraghvan @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 165)
Longlisted for the 2007 Man Asia Literary Prize, Sujatha Vijayaraghavan’s debut novel The Silent One is a tale of compassion and freedom. This is the story of a child who grows up to be the master of the three Vedas, rituals and severe penance and the seeker of inner Truth. He drowns himself in an ocean of silence and becomes the embodiment of love, passion and skill. He becomes the leitmotif around which the myriads of stories on this novel are woven. This cylindrical narrative of ageless bonds of father and son, mother and family, master and pupil blurs generations, landscapes and places and is a yearning for love and harmony in the world.

“In Pursuit of Infidelity” by Sujatha Parashar @ Rs. 95/- (Pgs. 177)
A busy professional, Sheena leads the routine life of a married woman with her husband Gaurav and one year old son, Krish. Though poles apart, their married life seems to be normal. But are they “happily married”? Sheena has to decide between the temptations of infidelity and the need for loyalty. In Pursuit Of Infidelity is the story of many modern day couples … it is a moving portrayal of the human heart, of our need for forgiveness, from each other and ourselves.

“A Tale of Two Truths” by Ashvin Desai @ Rs. 199/- (Pgs. 133)
Ashvin Desai, the author of ‘Between Eternities’, brings your way a new book, a mixture of philosophy and Sufism. This is a tale about Dhobi-ka-gadha, DKG as he is called, who is like most other donkeys. But then came along, the Buddhist parrot, Toti, and the Hindu monkey, Langu, promising him Nirvana & Moksha. A brilliant satire, A Tale of Two Truths resurrects the fable genre.

“Two States – the story of my marriage” by Chetan Bhagat @ Rs. 95/- (Pgs 269)
Chetan Bhagat has delivered yet another quirky, pacy read. Two States gives an extremely witty overview of the Indian Love Marriage arena through the story of Ananya (a Tam Brahm) and Krish (a Punjabi) who meet and fall in love on the IIM,A campus. Will they or will they not succeed in the gargantuan task of convincing two sets of shocked and stubbornly opposing parents? Two States is cheekily incisive about the two cultures and laugh aloud funny.

“The Englishman’s Cameo” by Madhulika Liddle@ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 281)
Madhulika Liddle in this debut novel keeps you hooked with a sinister plot laced with copious amounts of history. The Englishman’s Cameo is a murder mystery set in 17th century ‘Dilli’ during the magical era of Shahjahan. Determined to save his friend who is caught in the eye of the murder conspiracy, Muzaffar Jang, an aristocrat decides to investigate the murder. Little does he know that it’ll lead him to something more sinister than he had imagined…

“Cloud 9 Minus One” by Sangeeta Mall @ Rs. 199/- (Pgs 333)
This is the story of a married woman, Shruthi Narayan, who finds in her inbox an invitation to revisit her past. She has a whole new life now, with her husband and children in Philadelphia. Why must she even consider revisiting the past that she has left so far behind? Yet unable to prevent herself from going back, she finds herself at the gates of her college, trying desperately to ensure that her family does not learn about her past antics- the best friend that she abandoned or the old flame that she rejected. In this debut novel, Sangeeta Mall, gives us a vibrant insight into student life and young love.

“The Hour Before Dawn” by Bhabendra Nath Saikia @ Rs. 350/- (Pgs 340)
This is a translation of the original Assamese novel ‘Antoreep’ written by Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia, who is a popular writer and as an outstanding film-maker. Menoka’s life is devastated when her dissolute husband Mohikanto re-marries and squanders her unquestioning loyalty. But then she finds new strength in her womanhood. The Hour Before Dawn is set primarily in pre-Independence India and vividly reflects the intensely verdant life of a small village in Assam.

“Five Queen’s Road” by Sorayya Khan @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 231)
Based in Lahore in the 1940s during the time of the migration, mutation, adaptation, violence and political upheaval, Five Queen’s Road is a novel that weaves together a family saga along with national history. It is the story of a defiant Hindu family that stayed behind in Lahore despite the political mayhem, intertwined with a Muslim family who became their tenants. It is a skillfully told story of the traumatic memories of partition in Lahore, the WWII in Holland through the occupants of Five Queens Road who battle memories of each other alike.

Inspiration

“Torn Apart” by James Patterson & Hal Friedman @ Rs. 255/- (pgs 349)
“Hal and I are honored to bring you “Torn Apart” on Cory’s behalf”
James Patterson
“Torn Apart”
is the true story about Friedman’s family of courage, heartbreak & hope. This book speaks of Cory Friedman, son of Hal Friedman, and his devastating struggle with tourette’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder & anxiety disorder. His life was dramatically changed and left in tatters. Hal Friedman was continuously tormented by the decision of whether or not to make the most intimate details of Cory’s life public. Finally, he went to him for the guidance & Cory resolved the issue in a single sentence, without hesitation … ‘If it will help other people like me, yes’. Torn Apart is the story of one family’s unconditional love for each other.

“The Speaking Tree: Inspiration For The Soul” @ Rs. 200/- (Pgs 184)
Inspiration is a spark that fires man’s imagination unlocks his true potential and propels him to rare acts of bravery, sacrifice or creativity. This is yet another wonderful compilation of inspirational articles from the Speaking Tree Series of the Times of India. The wise words in this book aim to soak-up all the negativity that life burdens us with thus enabling you to face life’s daily struggle with strength and motivate you to achieve more.

“7 Personality Types: Discover Your True Role In Achieving Success And Happiness” by Elizabeth Puttick @ Rs. 350/- (Pgs 327)
Is it important or useful to know yourself and understand others? The secret of success, happiness and wisdom lies in self knowledge and this fascinating book by a sociologist turned counselor Elizabeth Puttick reveals the answer to the key question: Who am I? The book talks about how the seven archetypes of Artisan, Sage, Server, Priest, Warrior, King and Scholar which have always existed in every society and how each one of us belongs to one of these groups. It presents an updated version of an ancient and powerful system of self-knowledge, which will carry you past fads and fashions to discovering your ultimate self.

Personalities/Biographies/Memoirs:

“My Story” by Kamala Das @ Rs. 250/-
Kamala Das has been one of the most widely read, early Indian women authors writing in English. My Story is a book of her memoirs. This was originally published in 1988, but has now been re-issued recently after her death. Kamala Das, also Suraiyya, wrote in English and Malayalam (as Madhavi Kutty). This was published originally as “Ente Katha” in 1973 and serialized in a Malayalam magazine, shocking staid, conservative society in its blatant outspokenness. Kamala Das has been and so also her writings have been far ahead of her time. The foreword by K. Satchidanandan is remarkable, sensitive and touching. My Story is intensely personal, deeply moving and indicts the hypocrisy of traditional Indian society.

“Bimal Roy: The Man Who Spoke In Pictures” ed. by Rinki Roy Bhattacharya @ Rs. 499/- (Pgs256)
“The film which hit me between my eyes was “Do Bigha Zamin”. No film had ever made me discover its maker until then. “Do Bigha Zamin” was the film that made me look for the name” - Shyam Benegal.
What comes to your mind when we talk about classic movies like Devdas, Sujata and Madhumati. Yes … it is Bimal Roy who was perhaps the first to bring shades of grey to the black-and-white screen. In this book, well-known creators of cinema like Mahasweta Devi, Ritwik Ghatak, Nutan, Naseeruddin Shah speak about Bimal Roy’s personality and his journey from cinematographer to director. His ordinary characters like Shambhu in Do Bigha Zamin & Kalyani in Bandini, even today remain popular in our memory. A must read book for any serious film buff or any Bimal Roy fan.

“The Kapoors: The First Family Of Indian Cinema” by Madhu Jain @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs378)
A well-written biography of the Kapoors, the first family of Bollywood. This book is largely based on hundreds of interviews with family members as well as friends, conducted over the last seven years. Madhu Jain has explored the terrain between gossip and academic analysis, essentially staying clear of both and tries to find out what it is that makes the Kapoors tick. Written with wit and clarity and filled with moments of high drama and touching emotion, Madhu Jain’s book contains all the elements of the great showman Raj Kapoor’s movies.

“Manchester United: The Biography” by Jim White @ Rs.495/- (Pgs.455)
All you Man U fans out there, this book contains everything you need to know about one of the greatest football clubs of the world. 75 million fans, an annual income of more than £200 million and a story that has never been fully told- until now. This book talks about everything… Right from the birth of the club in the smog-bound mud of Newton Heath to the days of Law, Best and Charlton, to the artistry of Ronaldo and the pursuit of a record-equalling 18th League title. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a lifelong Red. Unofficial and unbiased, this is the history of the Club written with the passion of a true football fan.

Socio- Eco-Pol

“Superfreakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 270)
The long awaited follow-up of the international bestseller Freaknomics the authors have tried to uncover the hidden side of even more controversial subjects ranging from ‘global cooling’ to prostitutes to why suicide bombers should buy life insurance. Bold, gripping and funny, “Superfreaknomics” talks about how the most ‘superfreaky’ solutions to life’s problems are the simplest. The authors Levitt and Dubner are back more than four years of research later with a book they believe is easily better than the first. And the ‘hidden side’ of they things they reveal sure are conversation starters.

“Out Of The Box – Watching the game we love” by Harsha Bhogle @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs 275)
Harsha Bhogle is widely recognized as the face and the voice of Indian cricket and is known as India’s first non-playing cricket celebrity. Out of the Box is a collection of the very best of Harsha Bhogle’s columns in the Indian Express where he has captured the entire gamut of Indian cricket. Containing elements of wit, honesty and understanding just like his commentary; Harsha is a master at evoking the many moods of the game. Covering a wide array of subjects right from the history of the ICC to Indian Cricket Team’s recent fiascos and also penning down a tributre to some cricketing greats like Lara, Inzamam, Jayasuriya and the incomparable Tendulkar, this book is an absolute delight for any cricket fan.

“Bazaars, Conversations And Freedom: For a Market Culture Beyond Greed & Fear” by Rajni Bakshi @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs 447)
Rajni Bakshi is a social economist. She has spent the last 10 years following the trail of those who are creating a more “mindful” market culture. A beautiful documentation of what alternative economics is all about. From George Soros to Mohammed Yunus, Adam Smith to Mahatma Gandhi, the vast canvas includes the ancient Greek Agora, Indian choupal, onto present day Wall Street to illuminate ideas, subversive and prudent. The Dalai Lama and Ela Bhatt demonstrate that it is possible to compete compassionately and to nurture a more mindful market culture. In a world exhausted by dogmas, Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom is an open quest for possible futures.

“More Salt Than Pepper” by Karan Thapar @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 255)
This book is a selection of the very best of ‘Sunday Sentiments’- Karan Thapar’s weekly column in the Hindustan Times for the past 12 years. A pioneer in TV journalism, Karan Thapar is known for his incessant interviewing style. More Salt than Pepper, however, gives us an insight into the mellower side of one of most successful journalists of today who makes controversial headlines as he interviews everyone from prominent politicians to celebrities. His columns attempt to embrace that wider and far more interesting part of our existence through anecdotes and perceptive pieces.

History

“The Defense Of The Realm: The Authorized History Of MI5” by Christopher Andrew @ Rs. 899/- (Pgs 1032)
To mark the centenary of its foundation, the British Security Service, MI5, has opened its archives to an independent historian, the first time any of the world’s leading intelligence or security services has taken such a step. The Defence of the Realm is an unprecedented publication. History as we know it, may not have been. The book casts new light on many events and periods in British history. The book documents how successful it was in turning German agents during the second world war, has new information about the Profumo affair and its aftermath, describes what really happened during the failed IRA attack in Gibraltar in Mar’1988. If you are a keen watcher of world events, this is a book you are waiting for!

“Train to India: Memories Of Another Bengal” by Maloy Krishna Dhar @ Rs. 350/- (Pgs 307)
Train to Pakistan re-created the Partition in the Punjab for us, to help us understand the real tragedy. But the less chronicled Bengal Partition now has a Train to India. Maloy Krishna Dhar was born in Kamalpur, East Bengal and migrated to West Bengal with his family during Partition. In Train to India he has tried to give us a heartrending account of the human tragedies in Bengal before, during and after Partition. He describes his perilous journey into India from East Pakistan and gives us a shocking insight into the tragedies that occurred. He gives us a moving account of that turbulent and unforgotten era in Bengal’s history where age-old bonds between Hindus, Muslims and Bengalis deteriorated; where unrest was brutally suppressed, villages were torched and trains became charnel houses on wheels.

“The Hindus: An Alternative History” by Wendy Doniger @ Rs. 999/- (Pgs 779)
From one of the foremost scholars of Hinduism in the world, comes a unique, authoritative account of history and myth that will make you look at and understand one of the oldest religions in a new way. Wendy Doniger and her double vision of Hinduism along with her writing laced with wit is very unlike the usual books that work their way around arid accounts of dynasties. The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds and is a vivid re-intepretation of the history of Hinduism. Without reversing or misintepreting the historical hierarchies, she reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion towards women and lower castes, how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence and tolerance and how animals are the key to important shifts in attitudes towards different social classes.

Travel

“Nine Lives: In Search Of The Sacred In Modern India” by William Dalrymple @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 284)
In his first travel book in a decade, Dalrymple has profiled nine people and their unforgettable stories, the result of 25 years of traveling in India. Nine Lives takes us deep into each individual’s life - each caught up in his/her own spiritual quest, coming to terms with finding peace and salvation in their own unique way in modern, confused, turbulent times. With amazing insight and simplicity, that only a seasoned travel writer like Dalrymple can bring into these very Indian stories. By rooting many of the stories in the darker and less romantic sides of modern Indian life, with each of the characters telling his or her own story, this book is a collection of linked lives with each life representing a different form of salvation.

“To The Elephant Graveyard: A True Story Of The Hunt For A Man-Killing Indian Elephant” by Tarquin Hall @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 260)
A combination of a travel narrative with a thrilling plot, To the Elephant Graveyard is the story of an elephant on the rampage. Stalking Assam’s paddy fields and hunting down dozens of farmers and mutilating their bodies. The forest officers, unable to do anything bring in a man who may be their only solution. Tarquin Hall has written a brilliantly incisive book packed with adventure and thrills. It also includes intriguing pictures and maps that give us a vivid idea about the hunt for the savage elephant.

“Outlook Traveler Special Holidays In India” @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 494)
Part of the Outlook Holiday series, the Special Holidays not only tells you where to go, but more importantly, when….. Will you like to be in Braj Bhoomi during Holi, or buy an elephant during the Sonepur Haathi Mela in Bihar? For more such offbeat holidays, pick up the Special Holidays book. A guide to the natural phenomena, festivals, offbeat holidays and the unique landscapes that the country has to offer, this book has the usual Outlook style of presentation, complete with route guides and resort listings with phone numbers.

Food

“Waiter Rant: Behind The Scenes Of Eating Out” by Anthony Bourdain @ Rs. 350/- (Pgs 304)
This book is a natural outgrowth of the author’s award winning blog, where for the past four years he has been anonymously chronicling his restaurant exploits. The book speaks about the joys and pains of working in the food-service industry and hopes to gives its readers a “pain in the bones” sense of what its like to be a waiter in America today. He speaks about how today’s waiters are expected to have the most bizarre qualifications ranging from being food-allergy specialists to linguists to medical emergency technicians and amateur chefs to being eye candy! Hilarious, incisive and audaciously subversive, Waiter Rant will ensure that you will never look at your waiter the same way again.

“Big Bee’s Secret Honey Recipes” by Komal Taneja @ Rs. 375/- (Pgs 90)
Honey lover? Well here’s a book that gives you over 50 recipes from the Indian as well as the International cuisine, all having to do with honey! Written by master chef Komal Taneja this book is meant for all those who love food and wish to discover exciting flavors, keeping a healthy lifestyle in mind. So go ahead and tempt your taste buds with these carefully selected recipes and celebrate ‘the nectar of the gods’ the way the world does.

Science

“The Edge of Science – Mysteries of Mind, Space and Time” by Alan Baker @ Rs. 505/- (Pgs 270)
How did the universe begin? What happens to us when we die? The Edge of Science addresses these questions in a manner that gives rise to more bizarre speculations. The book deals with enigmas that have caused wonder, excitement or fear to all those who have pondered them. Alan Baker examines a handful of mysteries in this book and takes us on a journey starting from the Moment of Creation to the final moments of the universe countless of aeons into the future; a journey that the reader will find intriguing and stimulating.

Newer Books:

“Prom Nights From Hell” by Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe & Lauren Myracle @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 304)
“The Duel – Pakistan on the flight path of American Power” by Tariq Ali @ Rs. 550/- (pgs 315)
“The Mafia Rat” by Jimmy Breslin @ Rs. 345/- (Pgs 235)
“Brute Force” by Andy Mcnab @ Rs. 345/- (Pgs 476)
“Still Life” by Joy Fielding @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 369)
“The Face You Were Afraid To See: Essays On India Economy” by Amit Bhaduri @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 195)
“Happy Hours: The Penguin Book Of Cocktails” by Bhaichand Patel @ Rs. 499/- (Pgs 304)
“How To Enchant A Man: Spells To Bewitch Bedazzle & Beguile” by Ellen Dugan @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 234)
“Your Complete Forecast 2010 Horoscope” by Bejan Daruwalla @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 536)
“Balancing Act” by Meera Godbole Krishnamurthy @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 236)
“Vampire Academy” by Richelle Mead @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 332)
“A Million Words and Counting- How Global English Is Rewriting the World” by Paul J. J. Payack @ Rs. 595/- (Pgs. 207)
“Have a Little Faith- A True Story” by Mitch Albom @ Rs. 495/- (Pgs. 254)
“Thank You Cancer: A Physical, Emotional And Spiritual Guide To Conquering Breast Cancer” by Megha Bajaj @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 268)
“The year Of The Flood” by Margaret Atwood @ Rs. 999/- (Pgs 434)
“Mother India: A Political Biography Of Indira Gandhi” by Pranay Gupte @ Rs. 599/- (Pgs597)
“The Puffin Treasure Chest Of Children’s Classics: Fairy Tales, Poems, Stories And Adventures” @ Rs. 599/- (Pgs 285)

Happy Reading,
From the small team at,
Twistntales.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Happy Birthday Asterix !



October 29th 2009 is the 50th birthday of Asterix !


About Asterix:


Asterix was created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo in 1959. For millions of readers the world over (more than 325 million albums sold in over 100 languages), this extraordinary day commemorates 50 years of sheer happiness with Asterix.


Created for the Pilote weekly magazine in 1959, Asterix became the most famous Gaul in the world. Brainchild of the dynamic duo Goscinny / Uderzo while weathering a sweltering summer on a balcony in the Paris suburb of Bobigny, the adventures of the little Gaul hero with the winged helmet have since become classics.


With some 400 characters (from Aberdeenangus to Zurix!), the 33 Asterix albums (current series) describe a world teeming in activity and never-ending change, a universe that has spilled over into various media: cinema (8 animated films and 3 live-action films), video games and, of course, the Parc Astérix leisure park.


More dynamic than ever, Asterix and his friends are preparing a great number of events to celebrate a half century of merriment with their readers. They have just one idea in mind: to persist in "laughing and making others laugh".

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

A "Quickie" before "Nine Lives"

Am currently reading "Nine Lives" and am loving every word of it. Brilliantly written.

But a quickie came my way ... and it took me three hours of a good afternoon. "Balancing Act" by Meera Godbole Krishnamurthy. A rip roarously funny book about the self esteem of a "stay-at-home" mom vis-a-vis career woman.

Dont' we know this dichotomy ? All professionally qualified women giving up jobs to be stay-at-home moms ... all the time wondering whether it is the right thing to do ? or should the resume be dusted and the neighbourhood daycare be checked out !

Read it ... its funny and bilkul timepass.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Happy Diwali, all you lovely people !




To all friends, families of twistntales,






A very happy Diwali and great prosperous times ahead for all....




Saturday, October 10, 2009

Chetan Bhagat's "Two States - the story of my marriage"

I liked the new book ! It's fun, racy and moves at a good pace. "Two States - the Story of my marriage" is a good tp read.

With this book, CB has matured. And it shows. Both in the flair and sensitivity with which he has tackled issues that are common within our families. From a Tam Brahm point of view, i think it is one the finest spoofs written on the community, after Clive Avenue.

Communities apart, we Indians do get married into families. Malhotras and Swaminathans apart, the story could be true of any love marriage in India, where the couple decides NOT to elope !

There is lot of reservation amongst the elite "book reading" class of society w.r.t Chetan Bhagat "type" of books. Almost a snigger. But really, the world needs to wake up. This guy writes well. And clean. We need to get to a more egalitarian book reading society. CB takes a dig at them as well. He writes somewhere, if the book had pretentions about winning an award, well he needed to spend two extra pages on the smell of rasam wafting across the living room in Ananya's house ! Clever !

And I must congratulate Rupa. Starting with "Inscrutable Americans", they have gone Biyani style hammer and tongs after the Rs. 95/- pricing. Making it irresistible.

Good Book, CB. I am "middle aged" and I liked it. You are not writing for India's "youngsters" any more !

Friday, October 9, 2009

Our small tree canopied lane - 2

There were these 2 girls - we would see them every fri, sat, sun - sometimes they would not show up for couple of weeks - and then again, one weekend with bags laden with groceries, veges... they will come and plonk themselves in the tnt chairs.

Initially, it was the books that attracted them. Both were good readers. As the bags waited outside to be taken home to be cooked, both will be inside immersed in books. Suddenly it will be too late, they will need a quick fix recipe, roomates will be waiting, and they will run. First books, then conversation, then i suddenly found myself helping them with recipe for rasam ! Bharathi and Nandana were roomates, Infy and Wipro were their employers. They came from BITS and IIT, M.

Today, Bharathi is an "Art of Living" teacher and Nandana is with Infy, Chennai.

There were also this group of guys - Vishwanath, Amit, few others more or less same batch @ Infy ... but these guys had read almost everything. Our Store was at its infancy, but trying to get the right books to keep these software engineers coming in was a challenge, everytime I went for book selection !

Some of them "met" at the Store, some dated, some married ... we have many stories to tell.

Then we had another one, who also lived in our lane. She wrote this. http://twistntales.blogspot.com/2007/02/reassurance-in-disguise.html

Then we had Jo. And many others. A few who have had long standing relationships with us, whether they be in London, Bangalore or Chennai.

And when Violet walked in couple of days back, it was deja vu. Our lovely tree canopied lane has given us a lot of joy !

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Our small tree canopied lane !

Our small tree canopied lane starts from the Jungle Book corner and finishes at the petrol pump. Though frankly as far as i am concerned, the last frontier is Kumardhara. After that, it is all cement and concrete and ugly.

We start at the bench. What a lovely idea ! Just put a bench at a junction and you can sit and watch life go by for hours. Earlier days, i would sit and make my calls frm there. Today, it has rickshawallahs, and other riff raff. But it still carries charm for me. Sometimes, with some "phursat", will love to sit there and read. If one can ignore the screeching brakes at our infamous accident spot. No. I dont think i can sit there any more. If evening has 2 wheelers, afternoons has school buses and vans. Too scary to sit and watch an impending accident because the bench gives you both sides perspective of the T junction.

Then its us. Of course, i LOVE us !

Then Venkateshwara Classes ... Before i opened the Store, i used to pass by in my red matiz to kumardhara, and used to wonder what happened there .... sometimes, i used to see students, sometimes none, but beautiful rangolis .... but always dressed up with plants .... Only later realised it was a coaching class. And now we have kids - waiting for parents, rickshaw kaka, vans to come and pick up..... sometimes wanting to hurriedly read a chapter or two before they come, parents with Xth std anxiety written all over them, waiting for their kids to finish.
Of course, we learn everything. From slokhas to figures of speech to vernier callipers.

And Kamal "Super" market. When i opened my store, the old grandad who sits on a chair o/s kamal said in his own way in hindi, "sirf dukhaan kholke baitna hai ..... kuch saal mein apne aap dhanda badtha hai" So true ! The retail business is all about keeping your Store open all day, all through the year ! A Bania knows it best. Our first lesson in small store economics is " give the ambience of a Crossword or a Landmark, but keep costs like Kamal"

Shilpa started Money Plant after "Sumo" aunty quit her photocopying and tea/coffee business. In the last 5 to 6 years, Shilpa has seen the Stock market zoom and crash. Big news stories break on their stock exchange screens first.

We miss Homeland. Everybody defined their address in the lane w.r.t Homeland. "Near Homeland" "Opposite Homeland" .... We miss Chauhan Aunty, though we see her green zen with her perenially novice driver ... hitting into some car or the other everyday.

Then we have Kumardhara. Praful and his dad and their partner, always polite. Unhelpful but polite. The Store is great. From filter coffee powder (can't live without) to specialities from the South, its a paradise to all South Indians living this side of town. And that's how I discovered my shop. Driving down to Kumardhara, kept eyeing the corner shop under the beautiful big tree.

Our tree. Where often there is a hornbill. Sometimes, it is our favorite langur.

This post is to be continued. It started as a tribute to all those who came into the lane for all these neighbours of ours, and fell in love with us. Thankyou neighbours.

Welcome Chitale, to our neighbourhood.

Monday, October 5, 2009

New Books and book news !

Hi all,

Sorry about our delays in mailing, this time too, we have managed to review few books and have listed for you ALL the new books in the Store! We hope to get to speed on our reviews, hopefully by the next mail, we will have lot more reviews done … For more frequent updates, check out our Facebook profile “twistntales, Aundh” and “become our” friend!

Thanks to all of you who came in for our Saraswati Puja on Sunday, 27th Sept’09. We feel really blessed … Thank you!

Lots of new happenings …

· The new Chetan Bhagat book (Two States: The Story of My Life) is to be released on 10th Oct.
· Eoin Colfer’s “And Another Thing” the 6th book in the Douglas Adams’s Hitchhiker’s series (Eoin Colfer is the boy prodigy of the best-selling Artemis Fowl series) releasing also in October (will let you know when the book hits the stands).

Our Store will be closed on 17th, 18th, and 19th for Diwali. Kindly pick up your reading stock prior to the Diwali weekend!

New Books:

“Will Jellyfish Rule The World: A Book About Climate Change” by Leo Hickman @ Rs.299/- (Pgs 227)

Why does it rain so much in Britain? What do a glacier and a canary have in common? How you can help save the planet by thinking with your stomach?
Are jellyfish really going to rule the world?
Perhaps the better question to think about is: why would it ever be likely that jellyfish end up ruling the world? And the answer to that question is the subject of this book: climate change. In this book you will discover what the climate actually is, as well as how and why it’s changing, but most importantly you will learn how together we can help minimize the impact of climate change.

“The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives” by Leonard Mlodinow @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 252)

Randomness and uncertainty surround everything we do. So why are we so bad at understanding them?
The Drunkard’s Walk is a metaphor for our lives, our paths from college to career, from single life to family life. The tools used to understand the drunkard’s walk can also be employed to help understand the events of everyday life. It illustrates the role of chance in the world around us and to show how we may recognize it at work in human affairs. It challenges everything we think we know about how the world works’

“The Magic of Awakening” by Sirshree @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 165)
The truth of life lies in the art of being one with life…
Sirshree’s spiritual quest, began about 30 years ago, which led him on a journey through various schools of thoughts and different practices of meditation. He has delivered more than one thousand discourses and written over forty books on spirituality and self help. He is the founder of Tej Gyan Foundation. ‘Religious’ & ‘Spiritual’ are often used interchangeably. Someone who is religious might not necessarily be spiritual and vice versa. Spirituality in its true form is about reconnecting with our real self, understanding our hidden potential and much, much more… In ‘The Magic Of Awakening’, Sirshree gives us 111 answers on life and living. This book is presented in a question-and-answer format intended to awaken you. The questions range from existential dilemmas to essential spirituality. Every answer is intended to make you find yourself, know yourself & ultimately be yourself…

“Unbordered Memories: Sindhi Stories of Partition” edited and translated by Rita Kothari @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 171)
“Unbordered Memories” is a collection of Sindhi stories of partition. The book is edited & translated by Rita Kothari. She has translated widely from Gujarati into English. Partition not only changed the lives of Sindhi Hindus but also of Sindhi Muslims. In “Unbordered Memories” we witness Sindhis from India & Pakistan making imaginative entries into each other’s worlds. These writings from both sides of the border fiercely critique the abuse of human dignity in the name of religion & national borders.

“Letters From Burma” by Aung San Suu Kyi with an introduction by Fergal Keane @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 209)

In this letters, Aung San reaches out beyond Burma’s borders to paint for her readers a vivid and poignant picture of her native land. The reader catches a glimpse of exactly what is at stake as Aung San fights on for freedom in Burma, and of the love for her homeland that sustains her non-violent battle. Here she celebrates the courageous army officers, academics, actors and everyday people who have supported the National League for Democracy, often at great risk to their own lives. She reveals the impact of political decisions on the people of Burma

New Books Listed:

“Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition” by Guy Kawasaki @ Rs.599/-
“Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur” by Richard Branson @ Rs.340/-
“Making Breakthrough Innovation Happen: How 11 Indians Pulled Off The Impossible” by Porus Munshi @ Rs.295/-
“The Future of the Internet” by Jonathan Zittrain @ Rs.350/-
“My Father’s Tears & Other Stories” by John Updike @ Rs.499/-
“Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal” by Tristram Stuart @Rs.325/-
“Rupture” By Sampurna Chatterjee @ Rs. 350/-
“The Idea Of Justice” by Amartya Sen @ Rs. 699/-
“Cockroach” by Rawi Hage @ Rs. 399/-
“Listening To Grasshoppers: Field Notes On Democracy” by Arundhati Roy @ Rs. 499/-
“The World At Your Feet: Three Strikes to a Successful Entrepreneurial Life” by Saburul Islam @ Rs. 275/-
“The Longer Long Tail” by Chris Anderson @ Rs.295/-
“Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World” by Michael Dowd @ Rs.565/-
“Burnt Shadows” by Kamila Shamsie @ Rs.425/-
“Gind: The Magical Adventures of a Vanara” by Harini Srinivasan @ Rs.199/-
“The Character of Physical Law” by Richard P.Feynman @ Rs.590/-
“Like a Diamond in the Sky” by Shazia Omar @ Rs.250/-
“Even Buffett Isn’t Perfect” by Vahan Janjigian @ Rs.499/-
“Jinnah – India-Partition Independence” by Jaswant Singh @ Rs. 695/-
“Another Way to Live: A Psychiatrist Among Indian Ascetics” by R.L. Kapur @ Rs.399/-
“The Cellist of Sarajevo” by Steven Galloway @ Rs.325/-
“The Widows of Eastwick” by John Updike @ Rs.350/-
“Why Is Q Always Followed By U? by Michael Quinion @ Rs.399/-
“So Be It: How I Found Myself In This Crazy World” by Latika Tripathi @ Rs. 250/-
“The Girl’s Guide To Being A Working Mum” by Caitlin Friedman & Kimberly Yorio @ Rs. 399/-
“Cheap – The High Cost of Discount Culture” by Ellen Ruppel Shell @ Rs. 750/-
“Runner” by Thomas Perry @ Rs. 499/-
“Monsters – History’s most evil Men and Women” by Simon Sebag Montefiore @ Rs. 399/-
“Making India Work” By William Nanda Bissell @ Rs. 499/-
“Rules of Vengence” by Christopher Reich @ Rs. 510/-
“Winning in Turbulence” by Darell Rigby @ Rs. 495/-
“The Dog of the Marriage – Collected short stories” by Amy Hempel @ Rs.299/-
“The Crossing Places” by Elly Griffiths @ Rs. 299/-
“The Difficulty of Being Good” by Gurcharan Das @ Rs. 699/-
“God and the New Physics” by Paul Davies @ Rs. 590/-
“Unmasked - The Final Years of Michael Jackson” by Ian Halperin @ Rs. 640/-
“Children’s Writer’s and Artist’s Yearbook 2010” @ Rs. 599/-
“Michael Jackson – Legend, Hero, Icon” by James Aldis @ Rs. 699/-
“Where’s Hanuman ?” by Alister Taylor @ Rs. 125/- an activity book for children.
“HR Transformation: Building Human Resources From The Outside In” by Dave Ulrich @ Rs. 525/-
“The Wow Factor” by Frances Cole Jones @ Rs. 770/-
“Compulsion” by Jonathan Kellerman @ Rs. 299/-
“Running In The Family” by Michael Ondaatje @ Rs. 299/-
“Tiya: A Parrot’s Journey Home” by Samarpan @ Rs. 150/-
“Risk: The Decision Matrix” by Alan Axelrod @ Rs. 450/-
“Risk: Adversaries And Allies” by Alan Axelrod @ Rs. 450/-
“Rooftops Of Tehran” by Mahbod Seraji @ Rs. 499/-
“The Diary Of A Social Butterfly” by Moni Mohsin @ Rs. 195/-
“Slumgirl Dreaming: My Journey To The Stars” by Rubina Ali @ Rs. 195/-
“Bollywood Becomes Her” by Meredith McGuire @ Rs. 295/-
“Free: The Future Of A Radical Price” by Chris Anderson @ Rs. 510/-
“The Compass: From Where You Are…To Where You Want To Be” by Tammy Kling & John Spencer Ellis @ Rs. 475/-
“Passport To A Healthy Pregnancy” by Dr. Gita Arjun @ Rs. 499/-
“In Search Of The Obvious: The Antidote For Today’s Marketing Mess” by Jack Trout @ Rs. 495/-
“Turn Small Talk Into Big Deals” by Don Gabor @ Rs. 295/-
“The Organizational Champion” by Mike Thompson @ Rs. 350/-
“The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown @ Rs. 699/-
“Value Investing And Behavioral Finance by Parag Parikh @ Rs. 375/-
“Rani Lakshmibai” by Deepa Agarwal @ Rs.150/-
“Ashoka” by Subhadra Sen Gupta @ Rs. 150/-
“Jawaharlal Nehru” by Aditi De @ Rs. 150/-
“A Boy from Siklis” by Manjushree Thapa @ Rs. 250/-
“Gods of War” by Ashok K. Banker @ Rs. 299/-
“Pilgrimage to Paradise” by Kamla Kapur @ Rs. 200/-
“The Great Indian Love Story” by Ira Trivedi @ Rs. 199/-
“The Perplexity of Hariya Hercules” by Manohar Shyam Joshi @ Rs. 199/-
“The Professional” by Subroto Bagchi @ Rs. 399/-
“Madoff- The Man Who Stole $65 Billion” by Erin Arvedlund @ Rs.399/-
“Who Killed Change” by Ken Blanchard @ Rs. 150/-
“Seeds of Terror- The Taliban, ISI & the New Opium Wars” by Gretchen Peters @Rs. 495/-
“An Indian for all Seasons- The Many Lives of R.C.Dutt” by late Meenakshi Mukherjee @Rs. 399/-
“The Organizational Champion” by Mike Thompson @ Rs. 350/-
“Owning Up- The 14 Questions Every Board Member Needs to Ask” by Ram Charan @ Rs. 499/-
“Oxford Trees of India” by Pippa Mukherjee @ Rs. 225/-
“Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella @ Rs. 510/-
“Dark Origins” by Anthony E Zuiker @ Rs. 399/-
“Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese @ Rs. 595/-
“In Other Rooms Other Wonders” by Daniel Mueenuddin @ Rs. 395/-
“The Phantom Rickshaw and Other Eerie Tales” by Rudyard Kipling @ Rs. 199/-
“The Blue Notebook” by James A Levine @ Rs. 250/-
“The Satyam Saga” @ Rs. 395/-
“La’s Orchestra Saves the World” by Alexander McCall Smith @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs. 250)
“Summertime” by J.M.Coetzee @ Rs. 799/-
“Bazaars, Conversations And Freedom: For a Market Culture Beyond Greed & Fear” by Rajni Bakshi @ Rs. 450/-
“Bimal Roy: The Man Who spoke in Pictures” Ed. Rinki Roy Bhattacharya @ Rs. 499/-
“The Kapoors : The First Family Of Indian Cinema” by Madhu Jain @ Rs. 450/-


Phew! That’s a lot of new books at the Store … do drop in and check it out!

From the team at,

twistntales

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Work @ twistntales

twistntales, has the following requirements :

Counter Staff
Full Time : 10 to 6, Female, Min graduation, prior exp. essential.
Part-time : 5 to 9, Students (min. XIIth), can be considered
Good spoken English, knowledge about books, and cash handling skills essential for both above.

Accounts Asst – Part time (10 to 4)
BCom/ MCom with upto 2 years of exp. in accounts upto finalization. Knowledge of Tally and vendor management skills desirable.

Communications expert
A book lover with interests in books, publishing and communities. Should be able to write well and be net savvy. Part-time/ work from home options can be considered for educated homemakers.

Please apply in confidence with position applied for to twistntales@hotmail.com or drop your CV in the Store.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Happy Birthday, Billo !


Welcome Sudhir to the twistntales family. Team tnt @ kshitzu engagement on 31st Aug.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

An appeal to dog lovers !

Hello,

We are:

ResQ Charitable Trust (RCT) is an animal welfare organization that rescues, immunizes and facilitates adoption of stray dogs. Our work includes on-site first aid programs, running a full fledged rescue center for hurt and sick animals (in the premises of E-square Multiplex) and conducting education awareness programs in schools and colleges. We also provide facilities for re-homing dogs and puppies through a dedicated adoption program run through a network of volunteers and well-wishers.

Since inception in June 2007, RCT has impacted the lives of over 2500 dogs with its rescue program and found homes for over 800 homeless dogs and cats.

Our mission is to bridge the human animal divide and help solve the city’s stray problem in a humane, controlled and legal manner. We believe the stray dog problem can be solved faster and permanently with active citizen involvement.

Lend a PAW

1) Report an injured animal

Our Rescue helpline number is 9890334433. If you see an injured animal: we request you to call our helpline. Our volunteer & vet will co-ordinate and have someone come over and examine the animal. If critical, it will be admitted in our kennel for further treatment else treated onsite.
For more information, please log on to à http://www.resqct.org/resqwhatwedo.html

2) Volunteer:
The following are the areas that you can volunteer for:
· First Aid
· Fund raising
· Documentation, Photography
· Providing a temporary shelter for rescued animals
· Providing with material (bedding, newspaper, etc) required for rescue

We request you to kindly log in to our website (http://www.resqct.org/Jointheresqteam.html) and register as a volunteer for one/ more of the above.

3) Donate:
Any support whatever its size, is appreciated by us and all our four legged friends. You can either donate to our corpus fund (help us in the long term by building a source of steady income) or you can make monthly/yearly donations for specific causes.
Here are some of the programs you can donate towards:
a) Adopt/ Sponsor a Dog
b) Vaccinate à You can sponsor the Rabies (Rs. 300 for a year) and Distemper (Rs. 150 for a year) vaccines for 10 dogs.
c) Sponsor Food, Medical Treatment, Medical equipment
d) Sponsor the ResQ Van
e) Buy ResQ Merchandise which includes pens and ‘I support’ badges.

For more information, please log on to à http://www.resqct.org/makedonation.html

However, support is not just about giving money. The other ways you can support us are:

a) Donate in kind:

Contribute items that are required at the kennels. Please call us if you have something we can use. We will be all wags and send someone to fetch it as soon as possible.

b) Sponsor activities and events:
Fund raising events – Garage Sales, Concerts, Film premiers.
You can help by sponsoring these events or by buying tickets.

For any questions please call 9890334433 or visit www.resqct.org for more information.

ResQ Charitable Trust would like to thank you for your interest and support.

If we had a tail, we'd wag it!

The RESQ Team

Monday, August 24, 2009

Message posted to twistntales@yahoogroups.com on 24th Aug'09

Hi all,

With Ganesha entering our homes and city, we do hope that his benign blessings drive the flu away ….. and things return to normalcy. Our hearts go out to the affected families ravaged by the loss of young lives and we hope that Ganesha will give them the strength to re-build their lives.

A lot of happenings for us in twistntales. Reshma moves out to focus full time on her paintings and don’t be surprised if you hear of her paintings going up in Sotheby’s. She’s very much going to be in Pune, and like the others before her, you will see her around off and on! Vaishnavi has joined us recently and is getting suitably initiated into the “ways” of twistntales! Kshitija has found her soul-mate and is currently seeing stars in all the books @ the Store.

With many schools closed for over 3 weeks, and with kids having nothing to do, unable to venture out for fear of the flu, we in twistntales have started a blog where kids can write, draw and post their thoughts. It’s called http://www.tntkids.blogspot.com/. There is a link to it from the twistntales blog. A few kids have already started writing on it. If you think your kid writes or draws well, kindly send us your entries as attachments in Word or jpg files and we can post them on to the blog (only soft copies on email to twistntales@hotmail.com please). Please ensure that you send details of name, class and School). Kindly spare some time and check out the kids blog!

Ganesha has parked himself in our lane! You need to therefore park outside our lane (opp. Mantri Lawns) and walk down to the Store!

Lots of new books, including Jaswant Singh’s news-making one !

New Books:

Fiction:

“Swimsuit” by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro @ Rs.500/- (Pgs 407)

Hawaii, a paradise for beautiful supermodels to have photo shoots at the most glamorous hotel… Also, where Kim McDaniels goes missing. Ex-cop Ben Hawkins, now a reporter for the LA Times, gets the assignment. The ineptitude of the local police force defies belief, hence Ben has to start his own investigation and has the story of his life.
Swimsuit is about an unprecedented pattern killer who upped the ante to new heights, an assassin like no other before or since. A heart-pounding story of fear and desire, transporting you to a place where beauty and murder collide and unspeakable horrors are hidden within paradise.

“The Wish Maker” By Ali Sethi @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 406)

The Wish Maker is a confident and personal debut. Ali Sethi is a fresh voice from a new generation of Pakistani novelists.
Zaki returns to Lahore to celebrate the wedding of his cousin and childhood companion Samar Api. But home is not what it used to be anymore; with Musharraf in power and the flurry of wedding preparations, take him back to his past: his childhood as a fatherless boy growing up in a household of outspoken women, and his and Samar’s intertwined journeys from youth to adulthood. Inspired by American soaps and Bollywood films that they watched together, their world held the promise of all sorts of forbidden love. Then, when Zaki supports one of Samar’s romantic schemes, the family suffers the disastrous consequences. But as his fate diverges from Samar’s, he comes to understand the world around him better.
The Wish Maker is an engaging family saga, an absorbing coming-of-age story, a brilliant example of the new global novel and a sad but sometimes funny song about the way we live now.

“The Lost Diaries of Adrian Mole 1999-2001” by Sue Townsend @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 282)

These diaries were confiscated for 7 years by HM police – in the mistaken belief that they might incriminate the author – these diaries tell of Adrian Mole’s lost years on the cusp of the 2nd millennium. Adrian has become a martyr: a single father bringing up two young boys alone in an uncaring world. With the ever unattainable Pandora pursuing her ambition to become Labour’s first female PM; his over-achieving half-brother, Brett, sponging off him; and literary success as elusive as ever, Adrian tries to make ends meet. But little does he realize that his own modest life is about to come to the attention of those charged with policing The War against Terror…

“The Unbearable Lightness of Scones” by Alexander McCall Smith @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 328)

Here is a 44 Scotland Street novel…a joyous, charming portrait of city life and human foibles, which moves beyond its setting to deal with deep moral issues and love, desire and friendship. To the casual observer, the great enlightened city of Edinburgh, home of no-nonsense philosophers and cream teas, might appear immune to the rollercoaster of strong emotions. But at 44, Scotland Street, as Matthew and Elspeth embark on the risky enterprise of married love, the raffish portrait painter Angus Lordie has a premonition of disaster. And soon enough Irene Pollock is shocked to learn that her son Bertie harbours an unsuitable ambition; the gloriously vain Bruce discovers a wrinkle and confronts rejection; and Angus finds himself facing the consequences of unbridled bliss, not to mention a large Glaswegian gangster bearing gifts…

“Do You Suppose It’s The East Wind? Stories from Pakistan” edited and translated from the Urdu by Muhammad Umar Memon @ Rs.299/- (Pgs 296)
Muhammad Umar Memon is a professor of Urdu, Persian & Islamic studies at the Universities of Wisconsin, Madison. He has translated widely from English & Arabic into Urdu and from Urdu into English. His collection of short stories, Tareek Galee, appeared in 1989. “Do You Suppose It’s The East Wind?” is collection of short stories by best Pakistani writers, including Manto and Hasan Manzar. These stories unfold different emotions of people who have suffered because of Partition. This collection helps us to have a glimpse of Pakistanis in the act of living.

Indian Writing:

“Bringing Up Vasu: That First Year” by Parul Sharma @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 262)

Mira, a first-time mom, has her pregnancy all figured out. She’s attended all the pre-natal sessions, armed herself with postnatal planning and read all the books. But the road to being a model mommy is not that smooth: her baby thinks sleep is overrated, her boss shows her the door, and her pregnancy fat decides to stay put. Navigating between her colicky baby, finding a perfect maid, postnatal depression, freelance work, demanding fitness instructors, and friends who careen between inappropriate lovers and alcohol, Mira wonders if she will ever gain entry into the kingdom of chic moms, juggle a baby and work, and shed those twenty kilos?! Bringing Up Vasu is a true coming-of-age read with a funny yet tender peek into the pleasures and pitfalls of becoming a first-time mother.

“Deaf Heaven” By Pinki Virani @Rs. 295/- (Pgs 283)

This is Pinki Virani’s first work of fiction. Here comes a story through the 6 degrees of separation which thread together a story of a life-changing weekend. Pinki examines the crisis which underlies the façade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met. Saraswati the main character dies among her beloved books and until her body is discovered, her spirit is free to play sutradhar and watch over all she holds dear. They are about a society where change has to be wrested from tradition, often with calamitous effects and where hope constantly chafes against the trepidation of socio-political chaos.

“Secrets & Lies” by Jaishree Misra @ Rs. 275/- (Pgs 406)

The letters arrived at their destinations almost 15 years after the death of Lily D’Souza. Anita is a top journalist working for BBC. Bubbles is the pampered but bored wife of a billionaire. Sam tries hard to be a trophy wife for her corporate lawyer husband and Zeba remains in India, living a life of unimaginable luxury as the reigning Bollywood queen. All four have a friendship that spans over 20 years-a friendship born out of their years at a girls’ school in Delhi. Beautiful, intelligent and secretive, they were the top clique, the girls everyone wanted to impress-until the arrival of 15 year old Lily who instantly threatens their superiority.
Coming together for a school reunion, the women must confront a secret that has haunted their adult lives…A secret that binds them which could also destroy them…

Personalities:

“Straight Drive” by Sunil Gavaskar @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 239)

Sunil ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar is the idol of millions the world over. His magic with the bat created several records and won the hearts of as many. Even his severest critics had to concede that he was indeed the ‘Little Master!’
His transition from a cricketer to being a critic and a columnist, whom the entire media hankers after, has indeed been a welcome one. As he celebrates his sixtieth birthday, there could be no better tribute than an anthology of ‘sixty’ of Sunil Gavaskar’s best articles. They reflect the man and are like him – ‘no holds barred’! He minces no words and says it like it is. He talks about the greats of yesteryears, his heroes that include the late M.L.Jaisimha and Don Bradman amongst others. He talks about what ails the cricketing world and also how the Indian cricket team is truly a force to reckon with. Straight Drive is a timeless, quite like the man, and is a must read for all die-hard fans of Sunil Gavaskar…

“Laxman Rekhas” Times of India @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 127)

Celebrated cartoonist R.K. Laxman has gone to soaring heights in a career that spans six decades. No common feat of an uncommon man!
Playing with every shade of humour – wit, satire, irony, slapstick, buffoonery, tragicomedy – each cartoon featured a very alive issue and ranged from issues pertaining to a political event to a public person to socio-economic factors. The super success of a coffee-table book by the same name (brought out by the Times of India in 2005) has inspired them to bring out an abridged version for a wider reach. This current work has lots of reflections of Laxman’s genius

“The Thread of God In My Life” by R.M.Lala @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 194)

Editor, publisher, author, Russi M.Lala became a journalist at the age of 19 and entered book publishing in 1951, establishing and managing the UK division of Asia Publishing House, the first Indian publisher to be established in London. In 1964 he became co-founder of the newsmagazine Himmat Weekly, which he edited for the next decade. He was also the Director of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Tata’s premier charitable foundation, for 18 years. This is his autobiography…It speaks of his strength of belief which supported him through 2 serious illnesses, healed a broken marriage, taken him from financial adversity to financial security and guided him through four careers over 2 continents. His most recent work is The Romance of Tata Steel.

“Gandhi & Churchill: The Epic Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age” by Arthur Herman @ Rs. 480/- (Pgs 721)

This is a powerful tale of the monumental clash between two of the giants of the 20th century – Mohandas Gandhi and Winston Churchill. India’s moral leader and Great Britain’s greatest Prime Minister. Born 5 years and 7000 miles apart, they became embodiments of the nations they led. Both are living icons, idolized and admired, they remain enduring models of leadership in a democratic society. Yet the truth was they were bitter enemies throughout their lives. For more than 40 years, they were locked in a tense struggle for the hearts and minds of the British public, and of world opinion. Although they met only once, their titanic contest of wills would decide the fate of nations, continents, peoples, and ultimately an Empire.

“No Limits; The Will To Succeed” by Michael Phelps with Alan Abrahamson @ Rs. 480/- (Pgs 228)

One of the greatest competitors the world has ever seen – Michael Phelps…from a teen sensation in Sydney, to bona fide phenomenon in Athens, after eight gold medals and seven world-record times – he is now a living Olympic legend. Raised by a single mother and diagnosed with ADHD, Michael’s success is imbued with defeating obstacles and earning one’s way. No Limits explores the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice that go into reaching any goal. Filled with anecdotes from family members, friends, team mates, and his coach, No Limits gives a behind-the-scenes look at the makings of a real champion, and reveals a step-by-step guide to realizing one’s dream.

“John Lennon the life” By Philip Norman @ Rs. 500/- (Pgs 853)

I thought, “I’m a genius, or I’m mad. Which is it?” – John Lennon

This masterly biography takes a fresh and penetrating look at every aspect of Lennon’s much-chronicled life, including the songs that have turned him, posthumously, into almost a secular saint. The book’s numerous key informants and interviewees include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin, Sean Lennon, whose moving reminiscence reveals his father as never before, and Yoko Ono, who speaks with sometimes shocking candour about the inner workings of her marriage to John. Honest and unflinching, as John himself would have wished, Norman gives us the whole man in all his endless contradictions – tough and cynical, hilariously funny but also naïve, vulnerable and insecure – and reveals how the mother who gave him away as a toddler haunted his mind and his music for the rest of his days.

“Mrinal Sen: Sixty years in search of cinema” By Dipankar Mukhopadhyay @Rs. 399/- (Pgs 317)

Mrinal Sen is one of India’s finest film-makers and one of its most renowned in international circles. Beginning his career as an audio technician in a Calcutta studio, Sen made a rather inauspicious feature debut with Raatbhore, a film he prefers to forget. In this classic biography, originally published as The Maverick Maestro, Dipankar Mukhopadhyay recounts the life and times of an iconic film-maker, from his association with the Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association, which shaped his world view, to his early experiences and frustrations as a film-maker. Warm and insightful, Mrinal Sen: Sixty Years in Search of Cinema is an invaluable portrait of an uncompromising artist who broke established norms of film-making and freely experimented with new styles and techniques of creative expression.

“I Will Survive” by Sunil Robert @ Rs.200/- (Pgs 191)

This is a journey from Sunil Robert’s childhood of battling poverty to support a family of six, to his becoming a global, award-winning communicator…here are comeback stories of a corporate warrior. A truly inspiring story to young people everywhere, who are seeking to achieve something in their lives, it speaks of how Sunil overcame adversity and lived boldly. His is a life story quite heart warming. His style is conversational, sharing his personal struggles and triumphs with disarming candour.

SocioEcoPol:

“In Defence of Food” by Michael Pollan @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 242)

In Defence of Food is a book about a problem that now faces people living in every modern industrial society: the problem of the Western diet, and how we might plot our escape from it. This book is also a celebration of food. By food, Michael Pollan means real, proper, simple food – not the kind that comes in a packet or makes nutritional claims about how healthy it is. More like the kind of food your great-grandmother would recognize.
If you’re prone to pondering the nutritional advice we’re spoon-fed by “experts”, this book is a very necessary antidote. Here is a groundbreaking book about the necessity of cherishing and preserving what’s left of our food culture.

“Liberty In The Age of Terror: A defence of civil liberty and enlightenment values” by A.C.Grayling @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 283)

This is a book about the war over civil liberties being waged in Western democracies. Because of the real and perceived threats posed by terrorism, many Western governments have been changing laws and introducing new laws that reduce civil liberties and citizens’ rights, in the hope of making their populations safer. This book is a reaction to this important development. Liberty, equality, justice, free speech, tolerance, privacy, identity and hope are the themes of this book, and so also is the question of the nature of the enemies of these things, and the dangers this tense age poses to them both from within and without. Grayling proposes a different way to respond that makes defending the civil liberties on which Western society is founded the cornerstone for defeating terrorism.

“Ecological Intelligence: Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy” by Daniel Goleman @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 276)

Most of us want to make the right choices as consumers. But can any one individual make a difference? And, more importantly, what are the right choices?...
This is an essential handbook for understanding the coming information revolution. It shows how the phenomenon of radical transparency – the availability of complete information about all aspects of a product’s history is about to transform the power of consumers and the fate of business. For the first time what they say will matter far less than what they actually do! In this provocative new book Daniel Goleman shows that everything about what we buy and why is set to change.

“A History of Economics” by John Kenneth Galbraith @ Rs.450/- (Pgs 324)

The Past as the Present – and the Present as the Future”. Economics as practised is obsessively concerned with the future. Yet the ideas are very much a product of their time and place. If we are to understand modern economics, we can do so only through an understanding of its past, including the powerful and vested interests that moulded the theories to their financial advantage. This is the message of John Kenneth’s brilliant account of the history of economics. This book puts economists and their ideas securely in the life of their times. Most important, it shows how some of those ideas shape not only our present but our future too. This book is packed with witty remarks together with a large number of facts that are new.

Management:

“The Penguin CNBC-TV18 Business Yearbook 2009” compiled and edited by Derek O’Brien @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 600)

This yearbook is the best one-volume guide to business and economy in India and the international arena, with a special focus on the past financial year, current trends and prospects. This remarkable reference book is equally useful to business executives, management students, exam candidates and the general reader. This 2009 edition of the Business Yearbook has two special features: a Talking Points section with detailed discussions of the topics everybody is talking about-from the global financial crisis and Barack Obama’s bailout plan to the effects of the economic slowdown in India and the Government of India’s stimulus package, job losses and farmer suicides, and a Special Focus section on the economies of China and Singapore. This edition of the Business Yearbook is fully updated till the end of the financial year-31 March 2009.

“Cats - The Nine Lives of Innovation” by Stephen C.Lundin @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 168)

The bestselling co-author of ‘Fish’, Stephen Lundin, brings your way a new book, which has the next big trend in business: “The Curiosity of Cats”. In the 21st century, any individual, company or country wishing to survive must develop the brain’s capacity to create and innovate. To develop these capacities, you need excellent guidance & your own application to the task. CATS will help you on this journey. The book gives us the “Basic Assumptions of CATS” and “A CATS Vocabulary”. The book guides you to the Nine Lives of Innovation. So read this book & be a creator, an innovator and pounce on every difficulty which comes your way. Become like a “CAT”, full of new ideas, and surprise everyone around you – including you.

“Welcome to Advertising; Now Get Lost” by Omkar Sane @ Rs.395/- (Pgs 230)

This book is a sharp-witted look at the advertising industry as it really is. It tells you why most of the time advertising agencies work so well and advertising doesn’t. The book is so realistic that you worry when you laugh at most of what’s inside. Written with flair, and with tongue firmly in cheek, it’s a must-read for all those who want to know what the hell goes on in an ad agency! A creative scrutiny, funny and insightful, the book poked a cheeky pin at the inflated egos that stuff the industry.

Others

“Why I Am A Believer: Personal Reflections On Nine World Religions” Edited by Arvind Sharma @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs 378)

Over time, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, among other religions, have travelled across continents and seekers moved East in search of truth and salvation. What does this presage for our religious life today?
In this collection of nine essays, prominent scholars share their experiences as followers of their religions, touching on such basic questions as why people believe and why they do not, how beliefs are affected by encounters with other traditions, and is it possible to be at home in two or more traditions? While celebrating their own faiths, these scholars appreciate how encounters with other traditions have enriched their beliefs. The contributions affirm that a plural perspective is the alternative to exclusiveness and is the path to the meaningful pursuit of religion in our troubled times.

“The Case For God: What Religion Really Means” by Karen Armstrong @ Rs.520/- (Pgs 376)

For the first time in history, many millions of people want nothing to do with God. In the past, individuals went to great lengths to experience a sacred reality that they described as God, Brahman, Nirvana or Dao; indeed religion has been one of the defining characteristics of homosapiens. Why has the modern God become incredible? Does God have a future in this age of aggressive scientific rationalism? Armstrong shows that until recently science and religion were not at war with each other, but science has changed the conversation. The meaning of words such as ‘belief’, ‘faith’ and ‘mystery’ has been entirely altered, so that atheists and theists alike now think and speak about God – and, indeed, reason itself – in a way that our ancestors would have found astonishing.

“Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar” by Paul Theroux @ Rs.850/- (Pgs 485)

That feeling about trains, for instance. Of course he had long outgrown the boyish glamour of the steam engine. Yet there was something that had an appeal for him in trains, especially in night trains, which always put queer, vaguely improper notions into his head. – Georges Simenon
Thirty years ago Paul Theroux left London and travelled across Asia and back again by train. His account of the journey – The Great Railway Bazaar – was a landmark book and made his name as the foremost travel writer of his generation. Now Theroux makes the trip all over again to discover the changes that have swept the continents, and also to learn what an old man will make of a young man’s adventure. Covering his journey through Eastern Europe and Asia, Ghost Train to the Eastern Star is a brilliant chronicle of change and an exploration of travel.

“The Undercover Scientist” by Peter J. Bentley @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 247)

Why do sparks fly when you put metal in the microwave? Why does it hurt so much when you get chilli pepper juice in your eyes? Why can cheese be kept for weeks but milk go off while your back is turned?....Have you found your answers to all that crap that pisses you off? Well, here’s the book that does just that!
‘Shit happens’, as the saying goes, but if you want to know why it does, The Undercover Scientist is on hand to explain all. Peter investigates the fascinating science that lies behind the most apparently mundane mishaps – from sleeping through the alarm to battling with immovable superglue – and shows you how to fight back against these everyday disasters.

“The Link: Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor” by Colin Tudge @ Rs. 550/- (Pgs 262)

‘Ida’ – the most complete early primate fossil ever found, has been a secret until now. 47 million years old, Ida rewrites what we’ve assumed about the earliest primate origins. Her completeness is un-paralled. She lies inside a high-security vault, deep within the heart of one of the world’s leading natural history museums.
Colin Tudge, an award-winning science writer tells the history of Ida and her place in the world. This book offers a wide-ranging investigation into Ida and our earliest origins – and the cutting edge scientific detective story that followed her discovery. At the same time it opens a stunningly evocative window into our past and changes what we know about primate evolution and, ultimately, our own. Here is an astonishing new discovery that could change everything….

“Stop The Excuses! How to change lifelong thoughts” by Dr Wayne W. Dyer @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 257)

How do you get past the little voice that says, ‘I can’t’?...We all have doubts and fears, and these often get in the way of us realizing our dreams and being able to achieve anything we want. But we also have the unique power of self-mastery – the power to do whatever we want and act however we want. In his latest work, Dr Wayne examines how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours cause us to act as we do and how they can be changed to provide inspiration, encouragement and a vital support system for our self-esteem. You can change and live your life how you want – just stop the excuses!

New Books:

“Beyond The Secret” by Brenda Barnaby @ Rs.395/- (Pgs 183)
“I heart New York” by Lindsey Kelk @ Rs.225/- (Pgs 307)
“The Man Who Sees Dead People” by Joe Power @ Rs.415/- (Pgs 246)
“The Last Oracle” by James Rollins @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 497)
“Bits of Me Are Falling Apart” by William Leith @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 202)
“The Return of the Economic Naturalist” by Robert H Frank @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 263)
“The Silent Man” by Alex Berenson @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 418)
“Extreme Measures” by Vince Flynn @ Rs.290/- (Pgs 515)
“The Crash of 2008 and What It Means: The New Paradigm For Financial Markets” by George Soros @ Rs.475/- (Pgs 258)
“Doctoring The Mind: Why Psychiatric Treatments Fail” by Richard Bentall @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 363)
“Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur” by Richard Branson @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 359)
“Making Breakthrough Innovation Happen: How 11 Indians Pulled Off The Impossible” by Porus Munshi @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 236)
“The Atlantis Code” by Charles Brokaw @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 584)
“The Recipe For Success” by Blaire Palmer @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 157)
“Girl Friday” by Jane Green @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 400)
“The Kingdom Of Infinite Space” by Raymond Tallis @ Rs.580/- (Pgs 323)
“Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives” by Jim Sheeler @ Rs.530/- (Pgs 280)
“The Adventures of Mowgli” by Rudyard Kipling @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 227)
“The Raft Is Not The Shore” by Thich Nhat Hanh @ Rs.195/- (Pgs 153)
“Mumbai Under Siege” by Nikhil S.Dixit @ Rs.195/- (Pgs 178)
“The Best XI:Cricket’s Most Outspoken Character Picks the Best Test Teams of All Time” by Geoffrey Boycott @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 394)
“Will Jellyfish Rule The World?: A Book About Climate Change” by Leo Hickman @ Rs.299/- (Pgs 227)
“Physics of the Impossible” by Michio Kaku @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 329)
“The Future of the Internet” by Jonathan Zittrain @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 342)
“My Father’s Tears & Other Stories” by John Updike @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 292)
“The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives” by Leonard Mlodinow @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 252)
“Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal” by Tristram Stuart @Rs.325/- (Pgs 451)
“Letters From Burma” by Aung San Suu Kyi with an introduction by Fergal Keane @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 209)
“HRM Strategic Integration and Organizational Performance” by Ashok Chanda & Jie Shen @ Rs. 550/- (Pgs 384)
“Black House” By Stephen King & Peter Straub @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 817)
“Mistress of the game” By Sidney Sheldon @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 520)
“Drawing the right side of the brain” By Betty Edwards @ Rs .699/- (Pgs 291)
“Rupture” By Sampurna Chatterjee @ Rs. 350/- (Pgs 349)
“The Idea Of Justice” by Amartya Sen @ Rs. 699/- (Pgs 467)
“How Obelix Fell Into The Magic Potion When He Was A Little Boy” by Rene Goscinny @ Rs. 595/-
“We Are All Made Of Glue” by Marina Lewycka @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 419)
“Cockroach” by Rawi Hage @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 305)
“Faerie Heart” by Livi Michael @ Rs. 250/- (Pgs 181)
“Young Samurai: The Way Of The Sword” by Chris Bradford @ Rs. 295/- (Pgs 379)
“Cleopatra’s Daughter: Princess of Egypt, Prisoner of Rome” by Michelle Moran @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 432)
“The Heretic Queen” by Michelle Moran @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 383)
“For The Common Good: The Ethics of Leadership In The 21st Century” Edited by John C. Knapp @ Rs. 1010/- (Pgs 174)
“Listening To Grasshoppers: Field Notes On Democracy” by Arundhati Roy @ Rs. 499/- (Pgs 252)
“The World At Your Feet: Three Strikes to a Successful Entrepreneurial Life” by Saburul Islam @ Rs. 275/- (Pgs 116)
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book” by Jeff Kinney @ Rs. 195/-
“A Town Called Dehra” by Ruskin Bond @ Rs. 200/- (Pgs 218)
“The Sensualist” by Ruskin Bond @ Rs. 150/- (Pgs 103)
“Indian Cinema In The Time Of Celluloid” by Ashish Rajadhyaksha @ Rs. 995/- (Pgs 441)
“The Longer Long Tail” by Chris Anderson @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 267)
“Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World” by Michael Dowd @ Rs.565/- (Pgs 411)
“Burnt Shadows” by Kamila Shamsie @ Rs.425/- (Pgs 367)
“Empire Of The Moghul: Raiders From The North” by Alex Rutherford @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 434)
“Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition” by Guy Kawasaki @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 474)
“Young Men in Spats” by PG Wodehouse @ Rs.195/- (Pgs 258)
“The Magic Store of Nu-Cham-Vu” by Shreekumar Varma @ Rs.175/- (Pgs 132)
“Gind: The Magical Adventures of a Vanara” by Harini Gopalswami Srinivasan @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 205)
“Some Inner Fury” by Kamala Markandaya @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 223)
“Notes From a Small Room” by Ruskin Bond @ Rs.225/- (Pgs 171)
“The Character of Physical Law” by Richard P.Feynman @ Rs.590/- (Pgs 173)
“Unbordered Memories: Sindhi Stories of Partition” edited and translated by Rita Kothari @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 171)
“Like a Diamond in the Sky” by Shazia Omar @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 252)
“Even Buffett Isn’t Perfect” by Vahan Janjigian foreword by Steve Forbes @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 241)
“Pop!: Create the Perfect Pitch, Title, and Tagline for Anything” by Sam Horn @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 239)
“Jinnah – India-Partition Independence” by Jaswant Singh @ Rs. 695/-

Tulika new titles:
“The Rooster and the Sun” by Meren Imchen @ Rs. 100/-
“Sabri’s Colours” by Rinchin @ Rs. 135/-
“Upside Down” by T. R. Rajesh @ Rs. 95/-
“Aana and Chena” by Sowmya Rajendran @ Rs. 75/-

Happy Reading and see you at the Store!

From the team at
twistntales

Monday, July 27, 2009

For Kshitija


We hope there are flowers and jhhoolas and wonderful, quiet moments for you and your Chosen One. Wishing you every kind of happiness as you start on a new journey.
Congratulations!
P.S. I searched long and hard for the right image to go with this post. Then I remembered that with you, things don't have to be right - they must be absolutely right And I figured, what's more completely right than the couple in the image I chose.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Message sent to twistntales@yahoogroups.com on 23rd July,09

Hi all,

Greetings from the twistntales team. Lots of new books have been released in the past month, and some very interesting ones. Our mails are getting longer and longer, as it becomes a monthly newsletter. Our effort is in bringing information to your inbox, along with a little something about the book (our own very subjective but acceptable evaluation of the book). In this age of information overload, we try and highlight the really good ones, which we feel YOU should not miss!

Books are often hyped and attain publicity sometimes for the wrong reasons. In our own small way, we are trying to correct the situation. Books which are brilliantly written but not in the limelight will now feature in our “Book of the Month” (Books which are in the limelight are NOT necessarily disqualified from making it to the list!)

Our “Book of the Month” for July’ 09 is “Molly Fox’s Birthday” by Deirdre Madden. This book has been short-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009. A review of the book follows below, but just a few words on why this book has been chosen. Firstly, “Molly…..” is a very gentle book. Gentle – without being saccharine sweet. There is love, there is death, there is drama (the narrator is a playwright!), basically, it is both a celebration and a simple acceptance of life. It talks about relationships, without being judgemental, without taking stands. It breathes free, provides space and flows easily. It is written excellently, the craft is highly polished, no flab, edited well and is contemporary. YOU must read it!

New Books:

Management:

“Chaotics – The business of managing and marketing in the age of turbulence” by Philip Kotler and John A. Caslione @ Rs. 1280/- (Pgs 206)

Philip Kotler, the Strategy Guru has come out with another winner in Chaotics. This is all about coming up trumps in a volatile and turbulent economic environment. The Chaotics Management System outlined gives you the tools and techniques to minimise vulnerability and exploiting opportunities – and putting yourself way ahead of competition. Tools to develop early warning systems for identifying the first signs of upheaval, securing market share from core customer segments, compressing strategic planning into shorter, three month time cycles to keep a closer read on the pulse of the company are widely discussed with case studies. Makes for compelling reading for “Strategy” enthusiasts.

“How The Mighty Fall And Why Some Companies Never Give In” by Jim Collins @ Rs. 635/- (Pgs 222)

Great companies can stumble, badly, and recover. Anyone can fall and most eventually do. How do the mighty fall? Can decline be detected early and avoided? In this research, Collins confronts these questions offering leaders the hope that they can learn how to stave off decline and if they find themselves falling, reverse their course. Collins uncovered five step wise stages of decline:
Stage 1: Hubris born of success
Stage 2: Undisciplined pursuit of more
Stage 3: Denial of Risk and Peril
Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation
Stage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death.

By understanding these stages of decline, leaders can substantially reduce their chances of falling all the way to the bottom.

“Inside Steve’s Brain: Business Lessons from the Man Who Saved Apple” by Leander Kahney @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 294)

Steve Jobs gives almost as much thought to the cardboard boxes his gadgets come in as the products themselves. Here is a book that makes you understand how one man turned his personality into a business personality. One man…the pivotal figure behind the success stories of both Apple and Pixar.
In this book, the author distils the principles that guide Jobs as he launches killer products, attracts fanatically loyal customers, and manages some of the world’s most powerful brands. The result: A unique book; part biography and part leadership manual, a fascinating insight into one of the critical business and cultural figures of our time.

“The Genie in the Machine: How Computer-Automated Inventing is Revolutionizing Law & Business” by Robert Plotkin @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 270)

Inventing has been considered a uniquely human activity.
With artificial invention technology, we stand poised to see the emergence of the ‘digital renaissance artisan’ – a person who will have the ability to not only design new inventions at the touch of a button, but also to manufacture them from the comfort of home! Plotkin reveals in this book, how our decisions about these inventions today will dictate who gets to control this powerful technology tomorrow.
Should inventions designed by software be patentable?
This book offers the first-ever examination of the implication of artificial invention technology for patent law, along with practical advice for inventors, high-tech companies, and patent lawyers.

“The Salmons of Narmada: Nest Returned Indians” Edited by Bhooshan Kelkar @ Rs. 195/- (Pgs 203)

We read about ‘brain-gain’ taking the place of the earlier brain-drain. However, there are mixed reactions to this change. Sensing this change that has occurred in the last 5 to 10 years and having listened to the reactions to it, Kelkar felt, let us ask our salmons to speak their mind, since they plan an important role in rebuilding India. There are, in all, people from 15 different professions in this book; not just from IT. They have returned from 10 different countries, not just from the US. These are the salmons of our river Narmada. The author has deliberately called them ‘We, the Marathi NRI’, rather to mean ‘nest-returned Indian’! Let them tell you their stories.

“Making It On My Own: 10 Inspiring Stories Of Your Entrepreneur-Next-Door” by Prashant Karhade @ Rs. 125/- (Pgs 252)

This book is a compilation of stories of ten real-life entrepreneurs who are into 10 diverse businesses: power plant equipment manufacturing, metal fabrication, software development, printing, IIT JEE coaching, private healthcare, stone crushing, IT training, international education consulting, and construction. The diversity in the businesses is by design, not by accident, to make the book as informative as possible, and also to highlight the fact that the underlying principles to succeed in any business are the same. But the stories are also quite entertaining as opposed to being just informative, dry, and emotionless. So this book is guaranteed to be a fun read!

Personalities

“A.R.Rahman: The Musical Storm” by Kamini Mathai @ Rs.499/- (Pgs 265)

His name is legend, but what is A.R.Rahman all about? Very few can claim to know the man behind the music as Rahman shies away from the public eye.
But this book tells A.R.Rahman’s incredible story: the tragic death of his father R.K.Sekhar, when Rahman-then Dileep-was nine; his desperate efforts as a teenager to keep the family afloat by playing sessions, missing school; his reasons for embracing Islam and turning to Sufism; his ‘discovery’ by Mani Ratnam and his subsequent ascent to fame. It also takes us to his compulsive need to ‘get it right’, his continuing fascination with electronic equipment; his relationship with his mother, his inspiration; and above all his religiosity.
Based on extensive interviews with Rahman, his family, and those who have worked with him and know him best, this marvellously readable, chatty and anecdotal biography will delight every fan of the man Chennai calls ‘isai puyal’ – the musical storm!

“Shane Warne’s Century: My Top 100 Test Cricketers” by Shane Warne @ Rs. 340/- (Pgs 317)

Shane Warne writes about 100 players from every Test nation who have had the most significant impact on his cricketing life. He has written this book taking friendship out of the equation as to be as objective as he can. In 2007, he had written an article in The Times of his top 50 players, and a brief summary of each, the feedback was amazing. The idea for this book came from all those emails and letters. He also talks about the serious issues affecting the cricket today as cheating, bowling actions, match-fixing, etc. A must read book for all fans of the sport.

“Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and The Struggle for Peace In Manipur” by Deepti Priya Mehrotra @ Rs.275/- (Pgs 219)

In November 2000, 10 innocent people were mowed down by security forces in Malom, a village near Imphal. Irom Sharmila, a young Manipuri, who hails from a very ordinary family of Imphal, could not accept the situation. In response to this tragedy, she has been on indefinite fast for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The government arrested her later in the same month, and began force-feeding her through nasal tube. Been released and re-arrested innumerable times for over eight years now, she has still stood by her demand, refusing to eat and spent most of these years in jail alone.
Burning Bright is a moving portrait of a heritage under attack and of Irom Sharmila, ‘the Iron Lady of Manipur’, who has staked her life to bring peace to her ravaged land.

“Gandhi Speaks: The Mahatma’s Words for Children” foreword by Rajmohan Gandhi @ Rs.125/- (Pgs 106)

‘If we are to reach real peace in this world and we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children…’ - Bapu
Mahatma Gandhi arouses many opinions among adults. But what do children think about him? Is he anything more than a holiday on 2 October for them?
Mahatma Gandhi’s writings and speeches, hold as much relevance as they did during his lifetime and today, more than ever, they need to reach out to a new generation.
What did Gandhiji think about his own family and school life? What were his thoughts on the role of the youth in a nation’s life? Children will find this book inspiring, thought-provoking and pertinent. It is the perfect introduction to the thoughts and dreams that went into creating a self-reliant, independent India.

Indian Writing:

“Eunuch Park: Fifteen stories of love and destruction” by Palash Krishna Mehrotra @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 185)

Palash Krishna Mehrotra writes about prostitutes, cross dressers, murderers, drug addicts, students and stalkers, portraying their perversions and vulnerabilities with equal insight, taking us deep into the dark and seamy soul of India. The Author takes us for a walk on the wild side to dark places that few of us would dare to explore alone. Set in the murky underbelly of big cities and small towns, slums and dotcoms, college hostels and rented rooms, Eunuch Park is a collection like no other. Gritty, grim and depraved, these are candid vignettes of an India most of us are afraid to acknowledge.

“First Love” by Brinda Charry @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 211)

Ever wondered what happens when a young girl finds herself falling in love for the first time ever? Or…
What happens when a little boy and girl are fascinated with their neighbour, a eunuch; who finds excitement in marriage? Or…
What happens when the kuttichethans and Mohinis wander the streets of Thiruninravur at night?
Filled with many short stories in this unforgettable collection from southern India, Brinda Charry’s work engages the human condition and the personal with an intensity and authority that can only be explained by literary grace.

“Arzee The Dwarf” by Chandraha’s Choudhury @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 184)

Arzee is a man searching for the ingredients of a normal life – a job, love and dignity. And as doleful, he is just the most delightfully uncharacteristic hero you’ll meet. Arzee is a dwarf whose dream comes true. He gets crowned as head projectionist at the Noor, the Bombay cinema where he has been working since his teens. He thinks that the worst of his troubles are behind him, and that he can marry and settle down now. But not for the first time, Arzee has it all wrong!
Follow Arzee day and night, setting off the inner world of his jagged ruminations against the beating and pulsing of the great city around him.
Can Arzee find a place for himself in ‘the world of the fives and the sixes’? This bittersweet comedy, shuffling between hope and dread, between the yearnings of body and soul, is a book about the strange beauty of human dreaming.

Fiction:

“Molly Fox’s Birthday” By Deirdre Madden @Rs. 299/- (Pgs 221)

‘What we have to do with life is LIVE IT!’ – Molly Fox
Molly Fox is an actor, and is regarded as one of the finest of her generation. In the height of summer, she loans her house in Dublin to a friend while she is away in New York. Alone in the house on Molly’s birthday, her friend finds her thoughts turn to her relationship with Molly and their old university companion Andrew. She wonders why Molly never celebrates her own birthday and in this process contemplates on her own friendships and relationships that have evolved over the course of many years.
Here is a moving and truthful novel about identity, friendship and how the past informs the present in ways we might never have imagined.

“Six Graves to Munich” by Mario Puzo @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 200)

This addictive thriller was written only a year before Puzo completed The Godfather, and was published under a pseudonym as Mario Cleri and only recently brought to light. The story takes you through the torture of Captain Michael Rogan by seven senior Gestapo officers who also murder his pregnant wife and leave him for dead. After the end of the Second World War, they escape to new lives. But Rogan survives. He recovers from his appalling injuries and devotes the intervening ten years to planning how best to exact his revenge. In his journey to track down his Nazi targets – some of whom have new identities, he meets and falls for the beautiful Rosalie. Should Rogan continue to pursue vengeance or sacrifice it for the sake of happiness?

“Baking Cakes in Kigali” by Gaile Parkin @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 361)

This is a story about us …. Like us in twistntales selling books here in Pune, Angel in Kigali sells cakes! Angel Tungaraza has recently moved to Rwanda from her native Tanzania. While life keeps her busy with its own share of challenges, Angel finds time to pursue her passion: her small but increasingly successful business, baking individually designed cakes for the parties and celebrations of her friends. Much like Chocolat, people and their lives within the community are intertwined to create a uniquely charming, gently moving, deliciously funny novel about life, love and food.

“Something to Tell You” by Hanif Kureishi @ Rs.299/- (pgs 520)

“Secrets are my currency: I deal in them for a living. The secrets of desire, of what people really want, and of what they fear the most. The secrets of why love is difficult, sex complicated, living painful and death so close and yet placed far away”
Here is the voice of Jamal Khan, a psychoanalyst in his fifties living in London, is haunted by memories of his teens: his first love, Ajita; the exhilaration of sex, drugs and politics; and a brutal act of violence which changed his life for ever. As he and his best friend Henry attempt to make the sometimes painful comic transition to their divorced middle age, balancing the conflicts of desire and dignity, Jamal’s teenage traumas make a shocking reappearance in his present life.
From the same author of The Buddha of Suburbia, here is a novel that describes with such elegant seriousness the fear of ageing, the initiation of pleasure, the survival of love, the longing to understand and be understood.

“A Mercy” By Toni Morrison @ Rs. 280/- (Pgs 165)

By the same author of Beloved (made into a major film) here comes a book so enthralling, so powerful and elemental that you’ll want to read it over and over again! The issues Morrison explores here go to the root of what humanity is.
Little Florens’s life changes after Jacob agrees to accept a slave as payment for a debt. With her intelligence and passion for wearing the cast-off shoes of her mistress, Florens has never blended into the background and now, aged eight, she is taken from her family to begin a new life. The women in this book face the trials of their harsh environment as Jacob attempts to carve out a place for himself in the brutal landscape of the north of America.
This novel will leave you trembling at the sheer brilliance of its storytelling and the unassailable dignity of its purpose.

“B is for Beer” by Tom Robbins @ Rs.450/- (Pgs 125)

Once upon a time (right about now) there was a planet (how about this one?) whose inhabitants consumed thirty-six billion gallons of beer each year (it’s a fact, you can Google it). Among those affected, each in his or her own way, by all the bubbles, burps, and foam, was a smart, wide-eyed, adventurous young schoolgirl named Gracie; her distracted mum, her insensitive dad, her non-conformist uncle and a magical, butt-kicking intruder from a world within our world.
As charming as it may be subversive – B Is For Beer is a children’s book for grownups AND a grown-up book for children, taking you into the far-reaching investigation into the limits of reality.

“The Magic Thief: Lost Book Two” By Sarah Prineas @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 392)

Connwaer, wizard’s apprentice, has developed a new experiment to save his city from the death of magic: making explosions! And his quest has become urgent: his power stone is lost and Shadows, ruthless assassins, are stalking the city’s people.
Conn’s experiments soon set him on a new adventure. He must travel to Desh, a glittering city in the desert, home to the Shadows and run by a mysterious Sorcerer-King…

Health/ Wellness/ Inspiration

“Jaldi Fit with Namita Jain: Your Complete Fitness Plan” by The Times of India @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 103)

Fitness is not a goal; it is an endless process that needs everyday efforts. And just like you diligently carry out your workout schedule, it is equally important to have a dedicated diet regime. Paving your way to a top-of-the-world healthy lifestyle with tips on nutrition and weight loss, follow Namita Jain on to your complete fitness plan...here is your 24X7 guide to good health which also comes with a follow-me strength workout DVD. This book is filled with workout pictures and training tips that one can follow everyday. Namita holds international certifications in several fitness-related disciplines. For over 20 years, Namita has kept pace with new trends and techniques in her field, offering holistic, hands-on guidance to wellness enthusiasts.

“Light on Astanga Yoga” by B K S Iyengar @ Rs. 225/- (Pgs 198)

Astanga Yoga is an ancient wisdom, the greatest and noblest gift that Sage Patanjali has offered to man. Light on Astanga Yoga provides lucid explanation on the exposition and application of the principles of Sage Patanjali’s Astanga Yoga.
B K S Iyengar has been teaching and demonstrating yoga throughout the world for over 75 years. Having several million students, and having established many centres, his Yoga courses are included in the curricula of many universities around the world. He has authored twenty books and his magnum opus Light on Yoga has been translated into 18 languages.

“Pran Oorja – Raho positive hamesha!’ by Dr.Surakshit Goswami @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 116)

This book unfolds the goodness of Yoga in two packages of yogic practices and comes with a free DVD. Pran Oorja Yog which is a series of various yogic-kriyas, aasanas and pranayam, especially designed for the corporate world. The practices take only 30 minutes of your day, and are highly effective. Pran Oorja Kriya: 3 simple breathing exercises of one minute each, can be practiced anywhere, anytime! It increases positive attitude, creativity and understanding power of an individual. Give into Pran Oorja daily…it is the key to wholesome wellness.

“When Everything Changes, Change Everything” by Neale Donald Walsch @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 299)

Many changes are occurring now in the lives of all of us, but does ‘change’ have to equal ‘crisis’? NO. Not if you have the means with which you can change your experience of change – and that is what you are holding in your hand.
The author of the Conversations with God series presents a fresh and startling perspective on something that will never change: Change.
This is more than a book about change. It’s about how life itself works. It is about the very nature of change – why it happens, how to deal with it, and how to make it be ‘for the better’. On these pages are Nine Changes That Can Change Everything.
Is it possible that what you are about to read has come to you at the right and perfect time…?

“Life’s Missing Instruction Manual’ by Joe Vitale @ Rs.179/- (Pgs 158)
“What you do now creates your future” – Dr.Joe Vitale
How rare it is in life to discover a book in which every idea is sound and every word rings true! To read a little book and learn lessons about life you wish someone had told you sooner.
Here is a guidebook that you should have been given at birth. In simple, digestible form, using humour and anecdotes, Vitale presents practical steps to take control of you life, overcome obstacles, and find happiness. Vitale presents a real-life example of each lesson, followed by steps on how to put each lesson into practice. This book offers what no other does: Extraordinary wisdom put in simple terms that are practical enough to use everyday.

“Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur” by Pamela Slim @ Rs.1060/- (Pgs 340)

‘I have a fancy title, steady pay check, and good benefits. Why am I so miserable’? Does this sound like you? Then here’s a book that provides everything you’ll need to consider for a major change-not just the nuts and bolts of starting a business, but a full discussion of the emotional issues involved. Pamela Slim knows firsthand that leaving corporate life can be very scary, especially if you have a family and other obligations. Fears and self-defeating thoughts often hold people back from pursuing an extremely gratifying solo career.
Get ready to learn your real options, make an informed decision, and maybe, just maybe, Escape from Cubicle Nation.

“Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul” by Stuart Brown, M.D. @ Rs.1025/- (Pgs 229)

What enables us to innovate, problem-solve, and be happy, smart, resilient human beings...Our ability to Play!
We’ve all seen the happiness in children’s faces while they play in the school park. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing with glee across an open lawn. THIS is the joy of play! Dr. Brown explains, even the lowest creatures on the evolutionary spectrum have a play mechanism. Play offers an inside look at new research suggesting the direct role of three-dimensional object play in shaping our brains and at animal studies showing the startling effects of the absence of play. This book is a blend of cutting-edge science and inspiring personal stories.

SocioEco

“Amen: The Autobiography of a Nun” by Sister Jesme @ Rs.225/- (Pgs 178)

“This is just an attempt to disclose the hitherto hidden life inside the enclosures of the convents; to enable society to have a peep into the panoramic but veiled ocean”
– Sister Jesme
Sister Jesme left the Congregation of Mother of Carmel on 31st August 2008. There have been repeated attempts to have her declared insane. The authorities left her no other option, but this book, a first of its kind in India, that speaks of the life of a nun growing inside the convent and being forced to remain silent about many ills that distressed her. Corruption, sexual relations, class distinctions…many more that Sister Jesme speaks about in this book. This is not just an autobiography!
Amen is a plea for a reformation of the Church and comes at a time of its growing concern about nuns and priests.

“The Great Divide: India and Pakistan” edited by Ira Pande @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 379)

At a time when India and Pakistan are both reeling under terror attacks and hysterical talk of an impending war, it is important to take stock of where we have reached, individually and as part of the Indian subcontinent, sixty years after the two nations were carved out as two distinct entities. This volume of essays by writers from both sides of the border attempts to do just that.
Lived experience, shared concerns, food and travel, nostalgia and analysis, and an extraordinary selection of previously unpublished photographs from the ‘40s and ‘50s make this an unusual compilation on the subject of two nations forever in love and hate with each other

“Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How Cities Are Changing the World” by Jeb Brugmann @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 330)

Brugmann shows how India’s continued rise is inextricably linked to its success in becoming an urban nation. He takes his readers on a street-level tour of the world’s cities, challenging conventional thinking about globalization and revealing cities as the medium for revolutionary change, arguing that the 21st century’s greatest challenges can-and must-be met through improved approaches to city building. India’s productivity, economic efficiency, and political stability, he explains, depend upon a renewal of Indian forms of urbanism. Brugmann proposes a transformation in the way we view our cities which goes way beyond globalization.

Others

“Hoshruba: The Land and the Tilism” by Muhammad Husain Jah @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 447) - History

Long, long ago, a group of sorcerers created a tilism or magical land. It is a world of spirits and talismans, where mountains change shape, fairies spring from the earth, dragons’ heads dart out of flowers, and things are rarely what they seem. But it has a limited lifespan for its destruction is preordained. Hoshruba is its name, and it is ruled by the bold sorcerer Afrasiyab. Prophecies claim that Hoshruba will someday fall to a hero who possesses the key to the tilism. But the key has been lost, and Afrasiyab, with his invincible army of sorcerers, has remained the unchallenged ruler of the land.
Full of magic, adventure, romance and fantasy, the Tilism-e Hoshruba is the Indian subcontinent’s greatest Urdu epic. Composed by two rival storytellers in late 19th century Lucknow, this classic of world literature has never been – until now – translated into English.

“The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century” by Alex Ross @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 695) - Music

Alex Ross is a music critic for the New York Times. More importantly, though, he is a listener and a maker of connections. And that’s exactly what he does throughout The Rest is Noise. Ross gives twentieth century’s classical music an all-inclusive background. As far as he is concerned, there is no historical happening, no cultural movement that was isolated from classical composers and no piece that was left untouched by the socio-political changes of its time. From Hitler’s Germany to Stalin’s Russia, from Mao Zedong to the charged hippie sounds of the 60’s, Ross incorporates all the world into what was previously looked upon as an Euro-centric art. Without getting technical or running down other musical forms, Ross manages to give contemporary classical music its due without isolating it in its importance.

“Dad Rules” How My Children Taught Me to be a Good Parent” by Andrew Clover @ Rs.525/- (Pgs 284) - Parenting

Here is a book for to-be-dads, must-be-dads, and already-dads. And it’s not just about being a dad, but also, about being a husband after being a dad.
Kids have rules, but there are parenting rules too…How do parents cope with issues like sibling rivalry? Or choosing a school? Or getting them to eat something that’s not a fish finger? Then there are other big issues like Will you ever see your friends? Will you turn into your dad? Will you ever have sex again? So, this book, in its own mad way is curiously complete; it covers almost everything a modern parent might think about. You will laugh out loud even if you don’t have children of your own!

“The Book of the Vedas” by Virender Kumar Arya @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 128) - Philosophy

A concise, clearly written introduction to the world’s most complex religion, The Book of the Vedas provides an inspirational and easily followed guide to the mysteries of the Hindu faith. With colourful illustrations on every page, this enthralling volume provides explanation and inspiration for everyone who wants to find out more about one of the world’s greatest religions. This book explores the Hindu pantheon, it examines the cultural backdrop to Hinduism and identifies the philosophy at the heart of Hinduism.

“The Wild Life” by John Lewis-Stempel @ Rs.995/- (Pgs 293) – Inspiration !

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one could live on what Nature provides for free? Here is John Lewis-Stempel’s account of 12 months eating only food shot, caught or foraged from the fields, hedges, copse and brook of his forty-acre Herefordshire hill farm. Nothing from a shop and nothing raised from agriculture. Could it be done?
In this book we witness how the author survives on Nature’s larder and get closer to it, because, after all, one is never closer to Nature than when one is trying to kill it or pick it.
The Wild Life is an extraordinary celebration of our natural heritage and a testament to the importance of getting back to one’s roots – spiritually and practically.

“What On Earth Happened? …In Brief: The Planet, Life & People From The Big Bang To The Present Day” by Christopher Lloyd @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 328) – Popular Science

How did the universe form? How did humans evolve as hunter-gatherers whilst living in a state of nature? What happened to the dinosaurs? How was the moon created? Are humans really superior to other living things? AND how can you fit the complete history of the planet into one pocket-sized book...Well, this book does just that! In this thrill-ride across millennia and continents, the complete history of the planet unfolds. From the Earth’s fiery birth to the Triassic period…from the first signs of humanity to the tentative future of a world with a burgeoning population and a global warming crisis, What On Earth Happened? covers a wide range of topics including astrophysics, zoology and sociology, and is complete with maps and illustrations. This book is the endlessly entertaining story of the planet, life and people.

New Books:

“The Khufra Run” by Jack Higgins @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 338)
“Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of The Great Railway Bazaar” by Paul Theroux @ Rs.850/- (Pgs 485)
“You’re Hired- How to get that job and keep it too” By Nasha Fitter @ Rs. 199/- (Pgs 434)
“I heart New York” by Lindsey Kelk @ Rs.225/- (Pgs 307)
“The Man Who Sees Dead People” by Joe Power @ Rs.415/- (Pgs 246)
“How to Instantly Connect with Anyone” by Leil Lowndes @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 314)
“The Penguin CNBC-TV18 Business Yearbook 2009” compiled and edited by Derek O’Brien @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 600)
“The Last Oracle” by James Rollins @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 497)
“Bits of Me Are Falling Apart” by William Leith @ Rs.350/- (Pgs 202)
“The Unbearable Lightness of Scones” by Alexander McCall Smith @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 328)
“Liberty In The Age of Terror: A defence of civil liberty and enlightenment values” by A.C.Grayling @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 283)
“Laxman Rekhas” Times of India @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 127)
“Ecological Intelligence: Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy” by Daniel Goleman @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 276)
“Beyond The Secret” by Brenda Barnaby @ Rs.395/- (Pgs 183)
“Pygmy” by Chuck Palahniuk @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 241)
“The Return of the Economic Naturalist” by Robert H Frank @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 263)
“The Undercover Scientist” by Peter J. Bentley @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 247)
“I Will Survive” by Sunil Robert @ Rs.200/- (Pgs 191)
“Welcome to Advertising” by Omkar Sane @ Rs.395/- (Pgs 230)
“Bringing Up Vasu: That First Year” by Parul Sharma @ Rs.250/- (Pgs 262)
“Swimsuit” by James Patterson @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 407)
“The Silent Man” by Alex Berenson @ Rs.495/- (Pgs 418)
“Extreme Measures” by Vince Flynn @ Rs.290/- (Pgs 515)
“The Crash of 2008 and What It Means: The New Paradigm For Financial Markets” by George Soros @ Rs.475/- (Pgs 258)
“Doctoring The Mind: Why Psychiatric Treatments Fail” by Richard Bentall @ Rs.599/- (Pgs 363)
“The Case For God: What Religion Really Means” by Karen Armstrong @ Rs.520/- (Pgs 376)
“My Friend Sancho” by Amit Varma @ Rs.195/- (Pgs 217)
“Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur” by Richard Branson @ Rs.340/- (Pgs 359)
“Dark Summit” by Nick Heil @ Rs.375/- (Pgs 271)
“Making Breakthrough Innovation Happen: How 11 Indians Pulled Off The Impossible” by Porus Munshi @ Rs.295/- (Pgs 236)
“Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors” by Bill Bryson @ Rs.480/- (Pgs 453)
“The Atlantis Code” by Charles Brokaw @ Rs. 299/- (Pgs 584)
“Gandhi & Churchill: The Epic Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age” by Arthur Herman @ Rs. 480/- (Pgs 721)
“The Recipe For Success” by Blaire Palmer @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 157)
“Why I Am A Believer: Personal Reflections On Nine World Religions” Edited by Arvind Sharma @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs 378)
“Perfect Persuasion: All You Need To Get It Right First Time” by Richard Storey @ Rs. 450/- (Pgs 234)
“Girl Friday” by Jane Green @ Rs. 399/- (Pgs 400)
“The Kingdom Of Infinite Space” by Raymond Tallis @ Rs.580/- (Pgs 323)
“Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives” by Jim Sheeler @ Rs.530/- (Pgs 280)
“The Adventures of Mowgli” by Rudyard Kipling @ Rs.199/- (Pgs 227)
“The Thread of God In My Life” by R.M.Lala @ Rs.399/- (Pgs 194)
“Financial Intelligence: Get A Financial Life” by Nic Cicutti @ Rs.399) (Pgs 226)
“Financial Intelligence: Saving and Investing For Your Children” by Moira O’Neill Rs.399/- (Pgs 228)
“In Defence of Food” by Michael Pollan @ Rs.325/- (Pgs 242)

Enjoy your books. See you at the Store!

From the team at,

twistntales