Crisp Reviews of Books On My Nightstand

Thought provoking seven Short stories from best-selling author of "The Reader" exhibit the most humane aspects of our inner inhibitions, our desires and the willingness to go distance to satisfy our deep down insecurities.  Psychologically, the cold winter months cause people to have Seasonal affective disorder with less positive mood but the Spring/Summer months bring the exposure to bright light which in turn increases the Brain hormone Serotonin which elevates our mood. The aptly named book contemplates the human tendencies transforming from dark, grey emotional downside into bright revelation which is not necessarily happy. But the revelation is definitely more clear and open to all kinds of possibilities. All the stories start with an emotional turmoil that journeys through the difficult decisions and are all left open ended for readers imagination for the possible closure of the story.   This 240 pages book is a collection of 7 short stories are unrelated ...

Its an autobiography not to be missed. Its a tale of a mischievous young boy growing up in an African country during apartheid era, with a perfect blend of socio-political discussion.  I had learned about Trevor Noah as a stand-up comedian and some of his acts were different - subtle and exploring nuisances of multi-cultural world. So when someone recommended me his autobiography, I was a little intrigued but hesitant. The title did confuse me and I had to google about the book. The reviews all over the internet convinced me that I had to pick up this book and I am glad that I did. When we learn about the historical events like apartheid, we loathe the fact that human beings were treated this way. But its difficult to actually understand what life could have been under that regime. This book gives you an insight into the lives of those who suffered the most and had to endure the pain for generations.     What stood out to me the most was the fact that as much as I ad...

An overwhelming story that touched me to the core 

A plot inspired by a true story for a woman who provided us a peek into the life of indigenous people of Papua New Guinea and the human emotions at their best even while facing so many adversities in life. Three anthropologists who embarked on separate missions somehow ended up together on a journey that they would not have planned to go this way. The female protagonist who believed in the true spirit of humans, her husband who was chasing only glory and a stranger who was searching for meaning of life itself, all brought in circumstances that would challenge their basic human instincts to survive emotionally and physically. A journey that started in the search of knowledge ends in a bitter place where none is winner. Because as said in The Bhagavad Gita,  "For the senses wander, and when one lets the mind follow them, it carries wisdom away like a windblown ship on the waters." And that's how those three end up at their destinies as we finish ...

A small village blessed with the epitome of both the beauty and harshness of nature, people living with basic needs of human life but surreptitiously craving the joys of the city life and a circle of day and night that keeps only one promise that nothing will change in the mundane life of that small town. And one day, the devil arrives to the town to test the integrity of the humane emotions of the people of this town.  One more Must-read book from Paulo Coelho that reveals the secret of human emotions and the internal struggle to dare the dream, face the fear of unknown and live the life truly. 224 pages book that takes you through a week in the life of a coward crowd that is ready to sacrifice a single for the betterment of large, a girl who dares to dream a life beyond the regular and a stranger who is testing the life to sort his own struggle between inherent goodness or evil in human mind. Quotes from the book: "Anyone who loves in the expectation of bein...

There is a quote in Srimad Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit which says “Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam”. It literally means that the star called Dhruv which rise in night has to set but the implied meaning of the saying is “That which is born shall die”. We know that our life is not eternal and there is an end for our life too, but we don’t want to think about our end or even the journey called life. We keep ourselves too busy in our goals and fight so hard to reach those goals that we forget to give time to the most important things in life.  Here is a story by Mitch Albom where he shares the lessons of life he learnt from his long-lost professor. In his last days, Professor Morrie, or what he would like to be called ‘Coach’, would act as a mentor for the writer and answer the questions which were bothering writer from long time. The questions which our generation doesn’t want to think about, may be because we are too scared to know the answer. The writer and his professor takes us ...

If you believe in magic, not the one with tricks and illusions by magicians, but the one that life brings in for us, then you will definitely love the novel called Brida by a Brazilian   author   Paulo Coelho . It is the story of a beautiful young   Irish   girl and her quest for self-discovery, to the world far beyond our world and the one where magic is the truth of life. She knows she is different and she has to look for the answers to her questions. On her journey, she meets a wise man who teaches her to overcome her fears and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world. She also discovers her soul mate and learns that love is the most divine emotion to be recognized and valued on the path to true wisdom and knowledge. The story is neatly woven around the ancient belief of witchcraft and is related to the present world in an interesting way. This magical treat by Paulo Coelho treasures the enthralling tale of love, passion...