Solitude and Books

Chanakya was one of the greatest thinkers of ancient India. He was a teacher, economist, strategist and the mind behind the rise of the Maurya Empire. In The Chanakya Playbook, Abhiraj Gupta brings his ideas into today’s business world in such a simple and practical way that even complex concepts feel easy to understand. While reading, mujhe genuinely laga ki this is not just a business book, but a guide for life and leadership too. What I loved most was how the book connects ethics with success. Aaj kal most business books only talk about profit and growth, but this one reminds readers that real success also needs honesty, discipline and responsibility. The examples and explanations never feel heavy. Everything is written in a very smooth and relatable style. The sections about leadership and decision making really stayed with me. Chanakya’s wisdom still feels surprisingly relevant in today’s fast moving world. The ideas about staying calm during uncertainty an...

Have you ever felt that doing everything right still does not make you stand out anymore? That quiet doubt? I think if not all, most of us have felt it.  Author Amar Singh's books always help me diversify my thinking patterns and open doors to new ideas. From the first few pages, it felt less like reading and more like understanding something I could see, but never clearly explain. There were moments where I just paused and thought, yes I have witnessed these things as well.  His realisation started with Enya, his daughter who is neurodivergent. Her unconventional ways unlocked something in him that lets us now learn from his new learnings of the world.  I definitely believe, some experiences run deep and they change us in a way that we start to understand the cosmos in another clarity.  He has met and studied hundreds of people through his work and learnt that a change is taking place for sure at the species level....

Kodanda: The Rise of Vishnu by Aditya Bajpai What I liked most is how Ram is written as a man first. He doubts, he thinks, he carries responsibility quietly. His awakening does not happen with drama but through action. The idea that Vishnu remembers who he is, instead of descending grandly, makes the journey feel more human and relatable. It felt different from the usual Ram retellings I’ve read. This story begins in a fading Treta Yuga where forests are burning and sages are being hunted. Ram of Ayodhya is not shown as a distant god here. He is an exiled prince who simply wants peace with Sita and Lakshman, yet destiny refuses to leave him alone. The battles against Khara and Dushan are intense and gripping. The forest of Dandakaranya feels alive and tense. Kodanda itself is not just a bow; it feels like a silent witness to prophecy unfolding. Overall, this book blends myth and emotion in a powerful way. It sets the stage before the war with Ravana and leaves me curious for what comes...

I picked up Rebellion in Verse that discusses resistance and devotion in the Tamil Bhakti Movement by Raghavan Srinivasan after reading two of his earlier books, Yugantar and RajaRaja Chola. Both of those were deeply researched and helped me understand medieval South Indian history in a clearer way. This book continues that same strength. It explores the rise of the Bhakti movement in the Tamil region and explains how devotion slowly challenged rigid traditions and social barriers. I liked how the author writes history in a way that feels alive.  The presence of images, references, and well-arranged details makes the reading experience richer and easier to follow.  It beautifully explains the quiet transformation that began around the sixth century. Through the hymns of saints like the Nayanars and Alwars, devotion stepped outside the walls of ritual and hierarchy. Their poems were written in Tamil, the language of the people, instead of S...

Some books feel like a short visit, but Once Upon a Town felt like going back to a place from my own bachpan. The stories take us into a small town where everyday life moves slowly and quietly. While reading, I kept remembering simple things monsoon afternoons, familiar shopkeepers, children playing in narrow lanes. The town almost feels alive, like a silent dost watching everyone’s life unfold. What I loved most is how the author turns ordinary people into memorable characters.  A vegetable vendor with jokes, an elderly man sitting outside his house, kids building imaginary worlds these simple faces slowly become meaningful stories.  The writing feels calm and reflective, almost like someone sharing old yaadein over evening chai. The illustrations by Abhijeet Kinni add extra warmth. Their old-school comic style reminded me a little of Tintin days. By the end, the book leaves a gentle feeling in the heart—soft, nostalgic, and qu...

First things first, the cover and the title absolutely give off mystic vibes! A feeling that lingers under my skin as I open this stunning hardcover. Just look at those moths, don’t they feel like they’re truly glowing? They look so real. If you’re like me and enjoy feeling nostalgic, a bit melancholic at times, and find calm yet mysterious vibes pleasant, you’ve got to pick this book up. The Weight of Forgotten Things made me feel quiet, heavy, and thoughtful in the best way. Each chapters title gives out mysterious vibes. Every title feels our curiosity arise.  Click here-  I bought my copy from here. There are books in the world that you should spend time with to reveal its essence in time than rushing. This book definitely feels like that. Let the events sipe in, just observe, but yes at the same time get ready to feel the mysterious vibes which at times send discomfort.  Its about Ravi but his journey across lesser-known Indian towns feels de...

We all look for perfect partner, be it a romantic relationship that feels like dream or good family relation. We expect so much from our partners but seldom we try to be that partner. The reason is most of us donot know how to be, what traits we should have to sustain a healthy long term relationship and keep our partner happy as well as be happy ourselves in turn.  I got my copy from here-  https://amzn.to/4an8VGg I found 19 Rules for Happy Relationships to be an interesting and very practical read. It doesn’t feel heavy or preachy, which I really liked.  The author writes in a clear, simple way, making the ideas easy to understand and apply in real life.  The book talks about relationships in a broad sense not just romantic ones, but also family, friendships, and even work connections. While reading, I felt many situations were relatable, especially around communication and emotional balance. What stood out for me is how the book focuses on...