A(NU) Thought

Image Credit Book: The Firekeepers of Jwalapuram: Book 2 of The Kishkindha Chronicles Author : Vamsee Juluri Publication : Westland            The Firekeepers of Jwalapuram is the second book in the Kishkindha Chronicles (trilogy). It is a sequel to Saraswati's Intelligence , authored by Vamsee Juluri. The first book showed Hanuman in a completely different light, and this book takes the story forward.     The previous book dealt with Hanuman’s journey to protect the dharma and this story takes this journey further. This book deals with Mother nature’s fury, something very relevant to our times, isn’t it? The way the story is worked out in this book is not very different from what we are perhaps experiencing in our times as well. Other issues like those of migrants, missing children, endangered planet, among others are very well relevant in today’s times.

Book : A Useful Death Author : Sriram Chellapilla Publication: Westland Books A Useful Death – sounds like an intriguing title, isn’t it?   The plot is indeed as captivating as the title appears to be.   Authored by Sriram Chellapilla, A Useful Death, published by Westland Books, is a murder mystery set in Hyderabad. A young girl commits suicide and there are several people from an influential family who would have driven her into it. The protagonist, Partha is up to find the truth, but when he and his team digs deeper, they realise there’s a lot more than just what appears on the surface. The journey to deciphering the truth is interesting.  

Book : The Peshwa -  War of the Deceivers Author : Ram Sivasankaran Publication: Westland  After the gripping The Peshwa - The Lion and the Stallion , Ram Sivasankaran brings to us another historical blockbuster, The Peshwa - War of the Deceivers. This book builds upon the story of the first book but with erstwhile Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat's son, Peshwa Bajirao Bhat at the helm. The story has been narrated beautifully with gripping tales of valour, courage and deceit. It is also enveloped by the saga of the simmering ever-continuing rivalry between the Mughals, and Marathas with The Nizam baying for Maratha's blood. 

Book : Chanakya – The Legend Begins Author : Ashok K. Banker Sold by : Westland Books Chanakya – The Legend Beings by Ashok K. Banker is the first of the trilogy. Chanakya, the pig-tailed genius, we all know him as a brahman with unmatchable brilliance. However, the author in the first installment of this historical fiction portrays the 7-year boy who is unaware of the working and operations of this cruel world. This 7-year old Chanakya struggles with the people around who can simple not match up to his level of intelligence. This book introduces us to a Chanakya who is clever and intelligent and yet to get wise.

Image Credit Book: Saraswati’s Intelligence Author: Vamsee Juluri Publisher: Westland In India, since childhood, the mythological stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana are ingrained in us. We have grown up perceiving a certain character in a certain way, without even giving a thought on the facts and fictions. Similarly, we have a traditional image of Lord Hanuman established in our minds; while the author in this book ‘Saraswati’s Intelligence’ has attempted to portray a different picture, unconventionally. When one talks of Hanuman, we automatically relate it to Ramayana; the mythology sees him as a loyal and close comrade to Lord Ram and a fearless fighter. But was he always as fearless? Was devotion always an essential part of his character? Could the bhramachari hanuman too have a love story?

Book : The Peshwa:  The Lion and  The Stallion Author : Ram Sivsankaran Publication :  Westland If this is the debut book, I have to admit, it doesn’t read like one. The book is an amazing read. Where was he all these years with this amazing story telling talent?  The book is based on the life of Bajirao Bhat, his learnings, his fights, his experiments, his love and his relationships with his father, wife, his loyal subordinates, et al.  So, here’s what I liked about the book. The cover is extremely fascinating and intriguing. The narration is flawless and so is the characterisation. You can actually picture the person or the scene or the event that is taking place, as it is being described by the author.

Image Source Book: Everyone Has A Story Author: Savi Sharma Publisher: Westland Every one has a story, yes that's a fact, we all have tales to tell; we all have OUR stories to share... those which are unheard and untold, yet waiting to come out of the closets of our soul and be known to the world .  No matter how reserved or secretive one is, the desire to be known rather heard of never fades away. We all want to tell (our) stories to the world. And looks like Savi Sharma strikes the right cord here. The story she narrates resembles lives of today's youth- independent, ambitious, passionate, confident and yet confused when it comes relationships. The story is about two such youngsters, well actually four, about how they fall in love, but the difficulties they face in either accepting the relationship or leading it. The protagonist Meera, who dreams of becoming an author is in search of a story that can touch millions of lives. Well she does find one in form...