A(NU) Thought

The previous post highlighted Classical Conditioning at Workplace . A recap: Classical Conditioning is when our brain automatically starts associating a previously neutral trigger with an experience that repeatedly evokes a particular emotional or physical response. Over time, the trigger itself begins producing that same response. Our personal and social lives are not untouched by such conditioning, and funnily we don’t even realize how subtly it becomes a part of our routine. Certain words, people, or places make you feel something or trigger any emotion - happiness, excitement, fear, anxiety, anger, or sadness - before anything has actually happened? Think about these: Your spouse calling you by your full name A message from your partner saying, "We need to talk" The words "Exam Season" Your in-laws announcing they're visiting A call from your best friend. Or, how can I not mention... a call from Bajaj Finance (or any o...

Why Does Your Heart Race Before the Meeting Even Begins? Have you ever noticed how your body reacts before your mind does? Your manager's name flashes on your phone. A Teams meeting notification pops up. An Outlook email lands in your inbox. Or Monday morning meeting that starts bothering you from Sunday onwards. Before you've even read the message or joined the call, you've already felt something. !!Stress. Anxiety. Pressure.!! Why does this happen? Psychologists call this Classical Conditioning . Classical Conditioning is a type of learning where our brain automatically associates a previously neutral trigger with an experience that repeatedly evokes a particular emotional or physical response. (Read that again!) Over time, the trigger itself begins producing that same response.

Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang is a satirical novel, about June Hayward (Juniper Song) who steals her frenemy Athena Liu’s manuscript after her death and releases it as her own. She edits the script, sends it to publishers as her own and goes on to become a bestseller. As she tries to protect her secret, she goes farther than she ever thought she would. I found the story engaging enough, but the conclusion didn't quite work for me. We are used to dramatic ending but here it was pretty much how life is – regular, plain vanilla. Never mind! Kuang is an award-winning author. This was my first book by Kuang and it was so well marketed, I had to pick up and read what it was about. I realized the book itself mirrored the very things I mentioned in the previous sentence, as it was about publishing industry, marketing, how readers were buying more books because of certain controversy.

Yes, whether good or bad, people remember the emotions they experienced in their interactions with you. And this applies as much to workplaces as it does to personal and social relationships. Try this for a moment . Sit quietly for 30 seconds. Relaxed. Close your eyes (if possible), and think about your boss/ manager from your first job. What memory comes to your mind first? Is it any particular scene? How did it make you feel then? How does it make you feel right now?

Everyone is the protagonist in their own story One thing I have realized over time is this: Every person is the protagonist in his or her own life. No matter who they are. The partner who controls every decision and calls it care. The friend who disappears when needed most, yet believes they are loyal. The boss who constantly demoralizes employees. The parent who is so strict that fear replaces comfort. The teacher who pressures students into taking private tuition. The colleague who takes credit for teamwork and calls it visibility. The influencer who spreads misinformation and calls it freedom of expression. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, ethically or unethically, most people believe they are justified in what they do.

Every year, organizations hire bright interns and freshers from top institutes. They come in with promise, potential, and the right intent. But somewhere between onboarding and execution, something quietly breaks. Not because they lack capability. But because they’re not really trained, properly. In many workplaces, especially in fast-paced functions like communications, freshers are given tasks, targets, and timelines, but not the depth required to execute them well. Take something as simple as media outreach.

The Daughters of Shantiniketan is authored by Debalina Haldar and published by Readomania .  Charu, the ideal daughter from an aristocratic family, grows up believing that everything around her is perfect, never questioning the way her cousins are raised or the silent rules binding the women of the household. Her world begins to shift when she falls in love with a free-spirited, bohemian singer.  Charu slowly realizes that others might have been right all along, that the men in her family have been deeply condescending, and that the life she accepted as “normal” was built on patriarchal control. The story follows the daughters and daughters-in-law of this prominent Kolkata family, tracing how their aspirations, talents, and passions are gradually clipped until they become quiet victims of tradition.

Harlen Coben is a master of crafting long, twisty stories packed with suspense. I had read Fool Me Once (also adapted into a TV series) quite some time ago, and I remember being blown away by how effortlessly he creates chaos out of simple threads. The Innocent is no different. The story begins with Matt Hunter, an ordinary teenager whose one tragic mistake, an accidental murder, haunts him for life. After serving his sentence, Matt tries to rebuild his world, but just as things seem to settle, he’s thrown into a web of shocking secrets and mysteries involving his pregnant wife, Olivia. Add to it the emotional turmoil he goes through. From there, the plot spirals deeper as more characters enter, old crimes resurface, and new twists unfold.

Dadi, Dantkatha and the Djinns by Avanti Sopory , published by Readomania , is a delightful anthology of folk tales from Kashmir.  This book instantly reminded me of my childhood days, when we would sit around an elderly person, listening with rapt attention to tales, folklores, and stories that carried wisdom within them.  That same charm flows through these pages, which bring together 27 tales of kings, rulers, peasants, families, villagers, talking animals, and even fairies, each with its own morals and lessons to reflect on. It’s refreshing to see these short, timeless tales being shared, almost like opening a treasure chest of oral storytelling that’s been passed down for generations. I am amazed at how the author managed to remember or collect all of these stories, preserving them in such a simple yet engaging way. It feels like a bridge between past and present, ensuring that the magic of these narratives is not lost. This is not just a book, it’s an experience, ...

My latest read (a bit delayed, but never mind), winner of the 2025 Booker Prize , Heart Lamp is a collection of selected stories by Banu Mustaq , translated by Deepa Bhasthi , originally written in Kannada between 1990 and 2023.  As promised, it shines a light on the everyday struggles of Muslim women, focusing on gender inequality, patriarchy, oppression, domestic violence, and more. Now, is it worth a Booker Prize? Honestly, I’m not the best person to comment on that. But here’s what I felt—many of these stories felt familiar, maybe even too familiar, if you’ve grown up in India.  Tales of patriarchy, domestic abuse, women belittling women… we have all seen or heard these around us. So, what makes Heart Lamp special? 

Is it just me, or is there really a sudden deluge of translated books around? Honestly, I am loving it! Getting to read stories from faraway regions, raw, unfiltered, and often from an era untouched by the internet, feels like pure bliss. One such book I picked up recently is T he Owl, The River and the Valley by Arupa Patangia Kalita , translated from Assamese by Mitra Phukan and published by Penguin Random House. It’s a beautiful collection of 12 short stories. These stories capture the essence of everyday struggles, the rhythm of mundane domestic life, and the harsh divide between privilege and poverty. My absolute favourite was Yellow Flip Flops , a story that shocks you with its ending while laying bare the depths of poverty.

How little we know about the most important factor in life! We all know sleep is crucial for our well-being, but did you know quality sleep plays an even bigger role in our overall health? Deepa Kannan, in her book How to Sleep Better: The Miraculous 10-Step Protocol to Recharge Your Mind and Body, published by HarperCollins, dives deep into this often-overlooked aspect of wellness.  This insightful read explores the causes of poor sleep and provides a structured approach to developing better sleep habits. Beyond the usual five senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste), the book introduces five more—detoxification, uro-reproduction, locomotion (movement), grasping (strength), and speech—all of which influence sleep quality.  Balancing these can significantly improve how well you rest. With  the author Deepa Kannan Combining functional medicine and Ayurveda, Deepa’s approach offers practical solutions to sleep struggles, helping readers wake up refreshed and recharged...

The Drowning , authored by Nidhi Upadhyay published by Penguin Random House , is a dark psychological thriller that subverts expectations.  What starts as a seemingly straightforward story soon spirals into something far more sinister—so dark that it may not be for the faint-hearted. The story follows Viji, a grieving mother who loses her twins under mysterious circumstances. As she desperately searches for answers, she finds herself accused of causing the death of her friend’s toddler.  Enter Inspector Kanika, the determined protagonist, who is not only investigating the case but also grappling with her own personal loss after losing her unborn.  As the investigation unfolds, what seemed like a tragic accident takes a chilling turn, leading to an unexpected and unsettling conclusion.

Have you ever felt a strong surge of anger when you couldn’t express it? This morning, while riding in my cab to the office, I felt an overwhelming surge of anger toward someone I have been working with on a project for about 2 years. The past 2 months have been especially stressful because the organization hasn’t fulfilled a single commitment (no exaggeration here). Following up with them is another exhausting and infuriating experience. Working with them has given me sleepless and anxious nights. . So, what did I do? I tried to calm myself by chanting OM NAMAH SHIVAYA and OM HANUMANTE NAMAH . It helps me.  Gradually, I focused on my body parts where I felt tension—my hands, eyes, forehead, and jaw—and consciously released the tightness, and took deep breaths. Then, I reminded myself of what I could control; prepared myself mentally for the excuses and delays that might come next from them, all while breathing deeply to stay calm. . I don’t know if it’s my (increasing)...

A Fatal Distraction by Samyukta Bhowmick, published by Juggernaut , is an engaging crime thriller centered around a series of murders. The title itself, meaning "a situation where someone is killed due to a distraction," perfectly summarizes the essence of the story. The plot kicks off with the murder of Dhritiman Bhattacharya, a beloved editor of a tabloid with seemingly no enemies. As the investigation unfolds, Mridula and Monami, two journalists, take the lead, only to encounter another shocking murder—that of Anika, who assumingly had several enemies. What stands out is the dynamic partnership between the two women—Mridula, middle-aged and wise, and Monami, youthful and energetic. Their collaboration brilliantly showcases how Millennials and Gen Z can combine their strengths to achieve great results. Their journey through the investigation is captivating and adds depth to the narrative.

So, are you a good person or a nice person? It’s not always good to be nice, you know. Sometimes it’s okay to be ‘just you’.   We often end up mixing the two attributes - good and nice – assuming them to be the same. But there is a vast difference between the two. What is the difference, you ask? Or is it just that I am going bonkers? Well, by definition … ·          A nice person is someone who is pleasant to be around, has good manners, and is cheerful; ·          A good person on the other hand, is someone who is honest, helpful, and morally good. A person who has generally been good tends to be nice to others, most of the time. However, the question is: should they be nice to people, even if they don’t want to? Would people consider them as ‘good’ if they are not nice any longer?   The Burden of Being Nice Here’s what I think: you might be a good person, who doesn’t want to intenti...

  A Tale of Two by Abhishek V . is a gripping crime thriller that tells the story of two childhood friends, Nitesh and Vatsal, whose lives take drastically different paths. Nitesh, eager for quick success, becomes involved with local goons and gets entangled in illegal activities. In contrast, Vatsal pursues his dream of becoming a dancer with honesty and dedication. Though their lives progress like parallel train tracks, a tragic intersection leads to bloodshed. The story begins with the murder mystery of Vatsal, where Nitesh is the prime suspect. The plot explores the outcome of this violent incident, which results in 14 deaths, and follows Inspector Sawant's ruthless investigation to uncover the truth behind the killings and determine Nitesh's involvement. The narrative alternates between past and present, giving the readers a vivid portrayal of life in Mumbai’s slums. It explores the themes of friendship, ambition, betrayal, and morality, highlighting the struggles of s...

Those Unsaid Words by Anshuman Agrahar i is an interesting read that seamlessly blends Travelogues, Philosophy and Romance. The author has created a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Manali, Leh, and Ladakh, the story takes readers on a journey through untouched valleys, majestic mountains, and serene lakes. The vivid descriptions of these landscapes provide a picturesque setting but also serve as a metaphor for the protagonist's inner journey. The story revolves around Tanvi, and her quest for true love. Her journey is not just a physical one through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, but also a deeply personal exploration of her own emotions and desires. 

Background: Varun N Rao's Spring Art Collection Suryavamshi: The Sun Kings of Rajasthan , authored by Late Abanindranath Tagore and translated by Sandipan Deb is published by Juggernaut .  The book traces the lineage of Suryavamshi dynasty based in Rajasthan. The stories, include – generations and generations of kings and their tales of protecting and ruling over their regions and people.  The author (and the translator) have woven the tales of generations with blend of human emotions such as love, ego, sacrifice, courage, anger, jealousy, fear and treachery, very common to any of us. 

Touted as India’s answer to Harry Potter, Samsara: Enter The Valley Of The Gods , authored by Saksham Garg and published by Penguin , this book is an engaging read.   It's great to see Indian authors drawing from country’s rich cultural heritage to create fantasy worlds that can captivate readers globally. Now imagine this: an overlooked teenager bullied all his life, has no friends or relatives to support except his mother, is suddenly brought into a mystical world. His journey starts as a chosen one among the 11 to protect the valley. Aman Chandra, here among strangers, finds a purpose of his life in this mysterious valley. The story is about his journey of becoming courageous protector of the valley.