Epic Heroes in You by Dr. Krishna

 Epic Heroes in You by Dr. Krishna

Epic Heroes in You provides evidence and validation for the theory that universal psychic patterns do exist. All the principal psychological concepts explained in this book are the theories formulated or dealt with by Dr. Bolen in her renowned works Goddesses in Everywoman and Gods in Everyman.

The author has shared detailed aspects of three categories of heroes:

1. Virgin Heroes

2. Vulnerable heroes

3. Alchemic heroes

Men like Ravana, Arjuna, and Bhishma have the undivided attention that allows them to accomplish what they set their minds on. They can easily exclude everything extraneous to their goal during the process. They do not even mind if they have to give up food or sleep. In its most concentrated form, the focused consciousness can be extremely productive or destructive depending on the nature and intensity of the task at hand.

In every stage of his life, a man with the Ravana pattern only looks for what is beneficial for him, which requires him to expel unprofitable people from his ‘kingdom.’ No matter whether it is professional or personal, every relationship is a utility-based one for a Ravana man. His attitude clearly states ‘if you are of use to me, stay; otherwise, leave.’

Quote from the book that changed me:

"Learn to love selflessly. Stop living in your head alone. Respect the individual freedom of others and their right to make choices. Develop love for humanity and believe in equality."

I was intrigued to know about the varied heroes. Their aspects of perceiving life and dealing with emotions are worth the choice. The concept of keeping your emotions at bay and living a human life is worth the read.

The author has well-researched the characters and their lives in detail. He has depicted each in a well-organized and systematic manner.

Overall, it is an intriguing and captivating read.

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An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories From Bengal Multiple and Barnali Saha

An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories From Bengal Multiple and Barnali Saha

 "An Anthology of the Best Ghost Stories" is a haunting collection of Bengali culture and tradition. Despite not belonging to the place, I was able to feel the horror and fear amongst people. It helped me visit the ghostly tales of women in family histories.

It comprises 15 stories written by different writers. Though all the stories made me feel the essence of supernatural powers and the lingering echoes of history, I liked "The Jack of Hearts", "The Road Ends Here", "Burnt Turmeric" and many more.

The haunting narratives are complemented by vivid descriptions that transport readers into the eerie landscapes, especially of rural Bengal. The authors have meticulously blended the emotions of people with the fear of ghosts. Each author has made this essence of horror palpable.

Overall, this is a haunting collection of Bengali ghost stories. It made me recite the name of Shiv Shambu all the time while reading this book.

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Sinners of the Fallen Night by Niladri Shekhar Mitra

 Sinners of the Fallen Night by Niladri Shekhar Mitra

Sinners of the Fallen Night blends filthy realism and gloomy writing genres. The novel shifts between tales that are immediately uncomfortable and merciless, following people who are stuck in patterns of violence, desire, and desperation.

The story begins with the kidnapping of Ankita Sen, daughter of a rich industrialist. Her calm poise reminded Vikrant of someone very special.  No one could assume or ever think of this same person behind the whole kidnapping.

On the other hand, Rishi in dire need of his drugs kills the person who delivers it. The next day when he realises what he has done he feels bad for it. There he meets Poorna who is a whore, and she shares various anecdotes from her miserable life. This made me think how girls are trapped and used. Many a times, they agree readily to be used to protect themselves from starving.

The book vividly depicts how girls are used and they turning into heartless whores as per their pathetic circumstances.It vividly depicts the dark, filthy backdrops, seeming mindless at times but extremely scary.

I was intrigued to know about Ankita and how the cop, Satyajit and his assistant, Mayank would find about her. Will she be saved by the correct person or something more darker will evolve by the end of the book?

Quote from the book that enraged my anger:
“Look, I don’t care about your revenge,” the voice said. “I’m only in it for the money, that’s the only reason why I’ve helped you execute this whole thing. So, beat her, fuck her, do whatever you want to with her, but make the ransom video. Got it?” “Yup,” Vikrant said, after a moment or two. “And one more thing. Don’t kill her before the ransom is paid. Wait till the money comes in,” the voice said, and hung up."

Each chapter unfolds instances of tragedy that serve a deeper purpose amidst pain that is scattered all over. I was wondering what the real motive of the characters is. The backdrop of how these girls were sold at cheap prices or used after that was scary.

The author has well penned the emotional turmoil of characters. She vividly depicts the pain and turn of their grey shades into an empathetic, free character. They hardly feel any emotion after killing people.

Overall, it contains varied sins undertaken in the falling night. It is crimes that begin with the onset of night and turn into different perspectives with the dawn.

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The Spanish Table - A romance novel by Yusuf Poonawala

The Spanish Table - A romance novel by Yusuf Poonawala 

 "The Spanish Table" is a suspense-filled romantic book. Set through the eyes of a businessman, Azam Shroff Agarwal. He plans a secret trip to Spain without telling his wife or seeking his children's consent. Each person in this house hides a secret that is unknown to anyone.

It is intriguing to read how he discloses his trip adventure to his family, and his wife, Miana, agrees to this non-refundable trip. There is hidden affection between parent and children. Every person knows about their love and care but never acknowledges it.

Karan, Azam's son who secretly wishes to write something engaging, purchases a notebook for his vacation. On the other hand, Samaira holds her mirror that secretly tells her that she is a star and to do her best.

On reaching Madrid, there is full fledged plan to roam around and experience the weather altogether. What was more exhilarating was their rental car, "Seat Leon". Miana took photographs for each flaw of the car, as she felt, "Trust was for amateurs. Proof was for professionals".

The author has meticulously penned it into four parts. Each part is a suspense filled with curiosity to know what will happen next. Each person's secret is unfolded one by one, making others in awe and finding it hard to absorb the facts. But their slow and steady move towards knowing each other and accepting each other as they are is palpable.

Overall, this is a book that makes you visit Spain in an unexpected manner."The Spanish Table" is a supense filled romantic book. Set through the eyes of a businessman, Azam Shroff Agarwal. He plans a secret trip to Spain without telling his wife or seeking his children's consent. Each person in this house hides a secret that is unknown to anyone.

It is intriguing to read how he disclose his trip adventure to his family and his wife, Miana agrees as this non-refundable trip. There is hidden affection of parent and children. Every person knows about their love and care but never acknowledged it.

Karan, Azam's son who secretly wishes to write something engaging, purchases a notebook for his vacation. On the other hand, Samaira holds her mirror that secretly tells her that she is a star and do her best.

On reaching Madrid, there is full fledged plan to roam around and experience the weather altogether. What was more exhilarating was their rental car, "Seat Leon". Miana took photographs for each flaw of the car as she felt: "Trust was for amateurs. Proof was for professionals".

The author has meticulously penned into four parts. Each part is a supense filled with curiosity to know what will happen next. Each person's secret is unfolded one by one making others in awe and hard to absorb the facts. But their slow and steady move towards knowing each other and accepting as they are is palpable.

Overall, this is a book that makes you visit Spain in an unexpected manner.

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The Bard in Love: Tagore and His Timeless Ladies by Prasun Roy , Joy Sengupta

 The Bard in Love: Tagore and His Timeless Ladies by Prasun Roy ,  Joy Sengupta

"Real friendship is like fluorescence; it shines better when everything has darkened."

"The Bard in Love" is an intimate and minute exploration of the life of Tagore's inner world. His life yearned for a true friend or a naughty buddy like him. He finds one in Kadambari. Same character she introduced in his writing as well.

It reveals the human heart beneath the literary genius. This book does not merely present Tagore as a Nobel laureate or cultural icon but gently reveals the emotional relations and feminine influences that shaped his creativity, loneliness, yearning and artistic development.

The emotional undercurrents in Tagore's poetry, letters, music and philosophy flow through women such as Kadambari Devi, Nalini, Mrinalini Devi and Victoria Ocampo. All these women were part of Tagore's life.

The refusal to sensationalise these relationships is what makes the book so effective. Instead, the narrative unfolds with tenderness, restraint and contemplation, enabling readers to witness how love, friendship, loss and emotional distance affected one of the greatest writers in history.

The writing is lyrical and absorbing, reflecting the emotional depth of Tagore’s own prose. By including letters, memories, and contextual information, the book adds warmth to Tagore, making him more human and less of an aloof genius. Thus, he comes across as a sensitive man desperately searching for a connection, purpose and beauty.

Overall, it is a heartwarming read.

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Artificial Intelligence Made Simple and Practical by Satesh Khubchandani

 Artificial Intelligence Made Simple and Practical: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Master AI, Save Time, and Get Better Results with 50+ Ready-to-Use Prompts and Workflows by Satesh Khubchandani

Every day I hear to use AI for little tasks of daily life. But hardly did I know how to give instructions to ChatGPT or anything else. But when I stumbled upon this book, I found many interesting facts about how to systematically provide instructions to an AI interface. Everything in this book is built on one simple system: Think clearly. Instruct properly. Build systems. Automate execution. 

The author emphasizes that the difference is structure. This is why prompt construction is not a technical skill. It is a thinking skill. The clearer you think, the better you instruct. The better you instruct, the better the output. 

In the beginning, I used AI like most people do. I asked random questions, expected perfect answers, and got inconsistent results. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. It felt unpredictable. Then I realized something simple. AI was not inconsistent. I was. My inputs were in vain. But after applying the techniques provided in this book, I felt a drastic change in my skills.

The author has well penned the pros and cons of using AI properly. His systematic and illustrative diagrams make it easy for the beginner to understand and apply it in their daily usage.

Overall, it is an insightful read.

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Connecting The Cuts A DSP Arjun Thriller by Ｎａｃｈｉ

 Connecting The Cuts A DSP Arjun Thriller by Ｎａｃｈｉ

"Connecting the Cuts" by Nachi is a suspenseful thriller and the second book in the DSP Arjun Iyer series after "Death of a District Magistrate." The story begins with Arjun and Munu doing their routine combat practice when he receives a call to take over a murder case of a reputed industrialist in Chennai. Though he is not welcomed first by the commissioner of that area, later he surrenders to his excellency. 

His foundations about the case and the murder startled his colleagues and earned him respect at the scene too. He starts with the golden gear that is found at the spot that links him to the string of murders, each linked with symbolic elements that hint at deeper meanings.

As the person was killed by a arusal, a south Indian implement, a sickle used originally in harvesting and as a coconut cleaver and made numerous cuts. Each cut was linking to another murder. As the investigation unfolds, the case evolves into what is known as the Asura Serial Killer Case, adding a thematic layer to the narrative.

It seems like a series of murders across Chennai, each staged to mirror the way Hindu Gods slayed Asuras in mythology. I was intrigued in the way Arjun was effortlessly solving each riddle. There's something genuinely enjoyable about watching someone think the way he does his mind works differently, and you feel that in every scene. The team dynamic adds warmth to what could've easily been a cold, procedural read. Munu and Santosh in particular never feel like background characters they earn their place in every chapter.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is Arjun's thought process. It is unconventional, often expressed through strange analogies that only his close team seems to understand. These moments add a touch of humor and personality, balancing the otherwise serious tone of the story. The dynamic between him and Commissioner Santosh also adds depth, with subtle hints of unspoken emotions beneath their professional relationship.

The author has meticulously blended the mythology with the slaying of asuras in the present-day scenario. His ease of writing the crime scene and depicting a smart and extremely capable officer solving is palpable. The connection between each cut and murders explained at the end is commendable.

Overall, it is a thrilling read.