Solitude and Books

This is a real story. Not a story, but a biography of the author, Moa Ijaz. It is his life through his nani's love, childhood sexual abuse in the most unexpected place, teenage perceived guilt and shame, and adulthood mental health breakdown. From infancy till his middle age, he shares how family, friends, relatives, and society downgrade us, and how that leads to us losing our identity, lowering our confidence, and later becoming like a "ghost." But why all this? Just because of some conventional, meaningless rules of families and society that refuse to look deep into the issues that need upgradation. I really felt for him. The evil preacher, who was really far from being God's voice, installed the virus, as the author says. But I would say he corrupted the thought process of a very pure human mind, leading him to feel shame, along with the shame he received from teachers, peers, and even his small uncle. I wish parents would be more open to sit and speak...

I read mostly serious books but at times some light reads bring in fresh air! This one is one of those books that makes you smile from the very first story. It takes a simple saas bahu relationship and gives it a fresh modern twist.  Like say, Roopa is a traditional Marwari mother in law while Divi is an independent Maharashtrian news editor. Dono ki personalities bilkul alag hain, but that is exactly what makes every situation so entertaining. Their intentions are always good, yet things somehow become total chaos. Addition of Dadi's presence brings more fun.  The book is a collection of ten short stories and each one talks about everyday family life. From wedding rituals and household work to gifting, UPI, public image and work life, every topic feels familiar. Bahut baar laga, arre yeh toh almost sare gharo ki hi baat hai. The humour comes naturally because the situations are so relatable. I liked the fact that neither ends are painted as...

After a long time I had fresh read! It made me contemplate at times about lives and how intricate emotions are. The First Sip honestly has the capability to touch hearts deeply even if the story feels simple but its quite meaningful.  The story revolves around Arjun and Anjali two very ordinary individuals navigating life in an Indian city. They have contrasting personalities. Arjun is a quiet boy who suppresses his feelings and learns to cry with his mouth closed because his family is already carrying so much tension. On the other hand Anjali is confident and knows exactly what she wants from life. They feel like we know such people in our friends groups too. Now, their paths cross and a beautiful connection develops between them. It is a moving narrative about love family pressures and personal growth. The story captures the typical desi or Indian conventional family dynamics where relatives constantly interfere and make decisions for you. Families are no...

When Mahaprabhu Calls: A Personal Journey to Puri Many people believe that you can visit Puri only when Mahaprabhu calls you. After visiting Puri three times, I truly feel there is something special about this belief. Every visit has been filled with peace, devotion, and countless beautiful memories. Puri has a charm that is hard to describe. The calm sea, the spiritual atmosphere, and the feeling of devotion all come together to make it unforgettable. But the heart of Puri is the magnificent Jagannath Temple. No matter how many times I visit, I am always left speechless by its beauty and grandeur. And of course, no trip feels complete without Mahaprasad. With so many delicious varieties, every meal feels like a blessing from the Lord. As someone who grew up listening to stories of Lord Jagannath from my mother, reading Jagannath: Stories by Smita Das Jain felt like coming home. The beautiful cover immediately caught my attention, and the stories inside made the experience even mor...

"A single beautiful thought in the morning can light up our entire day and change our whole life." I spent the last month reading this amazing book. After all day work, running around a baby, reading big books get tedious.  Reading just one page each day felt easier and this helped as the words changed my perspective and brought so much brightness to my thoughts.  It really inspired me to always look forward in life with hope.Everything about this book is pure love. I absolutely adore the beautiful hardcover and the wonderful cozy vibe it has.  The short chapters are perfect for a quick daily read, making it so easy to focus on grounding my mind.  It won't be wrong if I say it is a profound and beautifully flexible one hundred eleven day guide to inner peace.  It perfectly cuts through all of life's noise with very gentle reflections on self worth and alignment. It has become an essential part of my morning routin...

As a mom, I often feel like I am carrying a heavy backpack that no one else can see. This book feels personal that understands that silent struggle. The author, Vishah Tanka, is a busy professional and a mother herself. She completely gets how we can manage big budgets at work but still feel totally overwhelmed by chores at home. Her personal story made me feel less alone and less guilty about feeling tired. The book is a simple twenty four day guide. Each daily part takes less than fifteen minutes, which fits perfectly into a hectic routine. The book uses a neat system called the CARE MR framework. It teaches how to ask for help without feeling bad and how to reclaim your own identity. It is not about doing more things, but about letting go of the extra weight. If you are a tired parent, you can buy and read this book. It just helps you become a much lighter version of yourself.

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...

I sat quietly for a while, after finishing this book. It is one of those stories that asks you to slow down and feel instead of rushing to judge. I found it interesting because it feels deeply personal and thoughtful.  The idea for this story came to the author after hearing a real incident from her aunt about a young girl’s kidnapping , its an event that changed a woman’s entire life. That seed stayed with the author and slowly grew into questions about what life really means, how people live with loss, and how they still move forward.  Set in an India of the 1970s and 80s, the book follows ordinary people living under the shadow of violence and uncertainty. Like Rumi’s field beyond right and wrong, The Road to Foreverness becomes a quiet, open space where the soul may finally rest where words fall away, meanings soften, and feeling takes precedence over judgment. In that stillness, life is no longer argued or explained; it is simply lived, and the he...