Beyond Goodbye by Tanishka Chugera

 Beyond Goodbye by Tanishka Chugera

Beyond Goodbye is a deeply touching personal memoir of a daughter to say that her mother was everything for her. The author shares the personal anecdotes from her life and vividly depicts how her mother shaped her.

As I turned each page, it felt like she was opening her heart and sharing her memories with complete honesty. There were moments that genuinely made me emotional and reminded me of how powerful love and memories can be, even after loss.

The story is about the daughter's deep love towards her mother, who was a driving force in the family. She is just 54 years old, hale and healthy, a devoted wife, the mother of a son and daughter (the author), and a loving grandmother of three grandkids.

Her parents were still living, and she had loving siblings. Suddenly, one night, she complains of a severe headache and is admitted to the hospital, where it is diagnosed as a specific and rare type of brain hemorrhage. She needed two major surgeries, but she didn't survive.

There ends the loving relationship of mother and daughter...but only physically. The daughter is so attached to the mother that not a day passes without her thinking about the mother....

The author is honest about how loss can change you, while also showing that life goes on—that love and hope still exist, even if everything looks different. Her writing feels straightforward but deeply expressive, and it puts you right in the middle of those feelings without ever seeming overdone.

Overall, this is a heart-touching read.

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Doctors Are Not Murderers by Debraj Shome , Arti Heda

 Doctors Are Not Murderers by Debraj Shome ,  Arti Heda

Doctors Are Not Murderers is, in a way, a sequel to the book Dear People, with Love and Care, Your Doctors, which is also a collection of stories and letters from doctors and patients across the globe.

The book begins by explaining why we need this book in the first place. There are many violent acts against doctors and other medical professionals occurring, not only in India but in most of the countries. So, the doctors themselves have to explain their struggles and their efforts to make the people understand, and that is where this book was born, to bond the trust between the doctors and the patients.

It explains the need for a doctor-patient relationship to bridge the gap between them. Through stories told by doctors, as well as patients, this book shows the reality and offers hope to rebuild trust between them.

This book not just told about the struggles of doctors dealing with their patients, but it also explained the complete story on both the patient's and doctor’s side, making us understand the dilemmas faced by both…

Each story has different emotional weightage, and the way each doctor handles their patients makes us understand how the bond between a doctor and his patient should be and how trust plays an important role in this process… It definitely took me time to go through these stories. Some stories felt so close to the situations I saw in my life that I could feel the pain in my heart… This book is really something I needed to read, and I'm happy that I read this…

Once people read this book, I'm sure they'll feel more confident around their doctors and trust them to cure despite all the rumors on the white coat… This book is a must-read.

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The Backwater Remembers by Husna .

 The Backwater Remembers by Husna .

"The Backwaters Remembers," a thriller that makes you visualize people and places while solving a murder. The story makes you realize how kids are put into boarding schools just to improve them. But discipline or emotional goings-through of the child are prime factors of it being spoken about. I could vividly feel the essence of boarding and solving a murder mystery altogether.

The story follows Krishna Iyer, who returns to Misty Meadows, Kerala, to investigate a murder in the tranquil backwaters. Then the narrative switches to 17 years before when he was a child and used to live with his parents and Joseph, who secretly applauded him for the boy he was becoming. He didn't like to accept injustice and sometimes took part in rallies and fought with his age mates.

Fed up with his weird behavior, he is sent to the hostel by his parents. Where Kris struggles being away from his parents. But eventually he adapts to the boarding school life. But during Christmas, Kris is forgotten by his parents; he has to make his way back on his own. And when he returns, he discovers something horrifying: the caretaker, Thomas, has been brutally murdered in the backwaters near St. Joseph’s Boarding School.

Inspector Jayaram takes up the investigation, but despite everything, the killer is never identified, and the case eventually goes cold.

Seventeen years later, Krish still hasn’t been able to completely escape what happened. As the case somehow resurfaces, the search for the truth begins again.  The investigation unfolds steadily, with clues carefully placed throughout the story. The inclusion of a journal adds another layer to the narrative.

Husna's descriptions of Kerala are rich and cinematic, making the landscape feel like another character in the story. The lush greenery, winding waterways, and monsoon-soaked villages create an unforgettable backdrop for the mystery.

I liked that the mystery unfolded patiently. Every chapter revealed just enough to keep me invested without relying on one twist after another. The story takes its time, letting you get to know the people before revealing what really happened. I found myself caring as much about their lives as I did about solving the mystery, which made the final reveal even more satisfying.

The Kerala setting added so much to the reading experience. The backwaters, quiet churches, and close-knit community created an atmosphere where it felt believable that a secret could stay buried for years.

By the end, all the loose ends came together neatly. Nothing felt added just for a dramatic twist, and I closed the book thinking about how the past has a way of finding its way back.

Overall, it is a gripping read.

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Bhagavad Gita’s Guide to Corporate Dharma: Timeless Strategies to Navigate the Corporate Jungle by Ashok Kumar Bhatia

Bhagavad Gita’s Guide to Corporate Dharma: Timeless Strategies to Navigate the Corporate Jungle by Ashok Kumar Bhatia

 This book is a manual for skilful action for leaders in the market place. This book demonstrates the relevance of the eternal knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita. It cites typical instances from the world of management.

At its core, the book is not about religion—it is about decision-making, mindset, and inner clarity. It vividly depicts that the corporate world is filled with ethical conflicts, pressure, ego clashes, and one  needs to often make choices between right and wrong.

Bhatia cleverly positions corporate professionals as modern-day Arjunas who are capable enough to find out their path amidst the chaos. He offers bite-sized reflections that can be consumed and contemplated individually.

From topics like “The Risk of Sweating over the Small Stuff” and “Values: The Real Soul of Organizations” to “Ego: A Serpent or a Saviour?” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, the book maintains a fine balance between philosophy and practicality. Each chapter feels like a standalone lesson, yet collectively, they build a cohesive framework for what the author calls “corporate dharma.”

The author has rightly pointed out certain facts and figures we ignore by being busy or too occupied to focus on. It has taken a modern approach aligned with our ancient scriptures to improve and enhance the work life as a corporate.The captivating examples from all over the world the author has borrowed Krishna's teachings to Arjuna and has created a thought provoking guide that can be practiced in a workplace and have the potential to provide spiritual contentment towards one's work.

The author has used both his wit & wisdom in writing this book. The quirky captions & witty anecdotes/ made up scenarios add a zing of energy to reading this around 300 pg book. His personal stories, experiences are also peppered in the book.

Mention of Maslow's Need Hierarchy, Peter Drinker at regular intervals, Newton, Einstein etc reminded me of college days & the simulated versions of office situations, of my own work experience. I could relate to the book at numerous junctions.

Overall, this is an insightful book.

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Things We Never Said by Parekhit Bhattacharjee

 Things We Never Said by Parekhit Bhattacharjee

"Things We Never Said" is a collection of small stories and lyrical short prose that explores the inner lives of ordinary people. These stories are brief, distilled emotional narratives. It vividly predicts the silence about silence imposed by power, the silence of longing, and much more.

Each story predicts a snippet of life that could be usually ignored amidst busy schedules. Divided into five thematic sections, the stories inhabit classrooms, trains, stations, cafes, and distant landscapes. Quiet brief, distilled emotional narratives, designed to accumulate.

I enjoyed all the stories, as they allowed me to ponder emotional trauma that is unspoken yet understood through your eyes. From the cricket ground, where one child hopes to win the world one day and the other hopes to earn a piece of bread for himself.

But in the story "The Piercing," it made me realize the rebellion of a girl to get her nose pierced. She did it but was cheered by all her hostellers. Her mother gave her a piercing look, as it mattered to the attitude and the long list of do's and don'ts and the plenty of questions. Each look pretended to ask a question, and the other look vividly depicted that I wanted to do it.

The author has vividly presented the silences and the ongoing looks that say more than words. Each of his stories represented a facet of life unsaid. The language has a depth that is palpable.

Overall, it is an intriguing read.

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The Brave Little Dinosaur Achoo: Inspiring Dinosaur Stories | A Beautifully Illustrated Picture Book by Armaan Farid

 The Brave Little Dinosaur Achoo: Inspiring Dinosaur Stories | Moral Tales of Bravery, Exploration & Growing Confidence | A Beautifully Illustrated Picture Book by Armaan Farid

Usually every mother tries to teach her child good habits and keep him safe. But this quality is also predominant in animals. One such animal is dinosaurs. I liked the efforts and inspiring Achoo, who loves to explore the world around him.

This is a story of a little, brave Achoo who lives with his mother. He is a sweet and obedient child, but he loves to explore the forest and feels like running and climbing the trees. On such a trip of climbing, he hurts himself and is scolded by his mother. His mother warns him of any such adventures, and he agrees like a good son.

But one day, his mother, Blessey, did not return home, and this made Achoo very worried. But he remembers the warning of his mother not to go out and explore the forest. It is intriguing to read how he overcomes the fear of losing his mother, not adhering to the wish of his mother and the responsibility of taking care of his mother.

Will he be able to find out his mother? Will he be scolded or rewarded by his mother? Who will come to help him out?

The author has well penned the fear and emotions of a child when he does not see his loved ones for long. The way Achoo overcomes the scare of the forest and takes up his responsibility is commendable.

Overall, it is an inspiring and heartwarming read.

The Velvet Hotline by Arsh Verma

 The Velvet Hotline by Arsh Verma

Mental health is becoming crucial these days. But every time one feels suicidal, is anyone there to help or not? This question strikes me whenever I think of it. In such thoughts, my eye struck on the book "The Velvet Hotline."

The Velvet Hotline is an intriguing story about a hotline that helps persons trying to commit suicide with some positive thoughts and stops them from suicide. It explores the dark and complex realities of suicide and mental health.

The story revolves around Ayingbi, a compassionate and courageous woman who works as a primary teacher. As a volunteer, she is working at a suicide hotline, hoping to make a difference in people’s lives.

However, she soon discovers that her job is not as simple as it seems and that she is entangled in a web of mystery, danger, and supernatural phenomenal scenarios. One such day, a phone call gets disconnected, and even her boss acts weird. She finds herself helpless. Something happens with the cats of the locality. This is just the beginning of the real encounter.

I was intrigued to find out the difference between her helpline and Dr. Rastogi's helpline. Her face-to-face reality that she can't save everyone breaks her but not her wit to outdo others and save humanity.

Verma's writing style is funny, bringing readers into Ayingbi's universe with a rich tapestry of surrealistic imagery and thought-provoking philosophical underpinnings. However, sensitive readers should be informed that the story explores major topics of suicide and sadness, which may be upsetting to some.

The advanced vocabulary and literary depth may challenge some readers, but they will ultimately enrich the reading experience for those who are willing to delve into its complexities.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking read.