Nichola Marie introduces you to new reads on the shelves.
Oddly Perfect
Author: Sudeshna Chakravarty
Price: ₹375
Publisher: The Alcove Publishers
She looks like a Botticelli angel and he is the drop-dead gorgeous embodiment of Satan. She is sweet, cute and absolutely socially inept and he is arrogant, arrogant and more arrogant! That’s Amisha Walia and Zeya… sorry Dhimaan Rohatgi. Together they unleash a zany rollercoaster of a romance drama replete with outrageous bon ton scandals, juicy, messy gossip, and predatory takeover moves along with a cute mushy love story. …That’s the description of journalist and author Sudeshna Chakravarty’s debut novel.
We chatted with the author to find out what makes this tale so special…
‘Oddly Perfect’ is the frothy, fun read we need to liven up our day! What makes this rollercoaster drama/ love story so engaging?
I think the reason behind it is… I did not try to make a god or a goddess out of my characters. They are extremely imperfect and riddled with inadequacies and yet, they are very lovable and humorous and that is why I think people connect with them.
Secondly, I did not try to sermonise through my characters.
I just tried to tell the story of two young people in contemporary Mumbai. It’s a very modern story… young people can connect to it.
Thirdly, I first wrote the book for an online site where I had to hold my reader’s interest and make them crave the next chapter. So, I would end each chapter with a cliffhanger. That became the USP of the book. I have had readers telling me they finished the book in one night, and that they couldn’t stop reading.
Did your background as a magazine journalist (Magna Publications) give you an edge in crafting this book?
Yes, definitely. Working for ‘Society’ and ‘Savvy’ gave me a peep into the lives of the super rich. The book gives a very realistic image of the upper echelons; uber-chic people and their lifestyles. Being a journalist made me do my homework; in fact, I keep a diary for research. Media also plays a big role in the book. There are press conferences, live interviews, and scandals being splashed in the media. All journos will actually enjoy the book because it will seem real. In fact, the female lead is a PR executive.
Autocrats: Charisma, Power and Their Lives
Author: Rajiv Dogra
Price: ₹795
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Seldom before in the history of the world has rage been so global in scale. Authoritarian leaders are largely to blame for this dangerous pass — their brutal surgery on masses without administering anesthesia. Sadly, we do not know enough about them and their chillingly effective ways.
‘Autocrats: Charisma, Power, and Their Lives’ fills that gap with real-life situations of how an authoritarian’s cult takes hold, grows, and sustains itself. It describes grippingly their personality, their psychological makeup, and their private lives. The book sketches, step by step, the roadmap to tyranny from the earliest times to now. Intensely researched, Rajiv Dogra’s prose is elegant and sophisticated.
Your Company Is Your Castle: How to Build a Successful Company
Author: Sandeep Chennakeshu
Price: ₹899
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
A business transformation veteran, Sandeep Chennakeshu compares a company to a medieval castle that has withstood the test of time, having weathered nature’s elements and hordes of invaders. He ties eight structural elements of such castles to eight essential elements that make a company thrive. He describes how to assess and systematically build a company’s business model, financial health, strategy, culture, products, sales channels, execution, and stakeholder confidence to make the company formidable. ‘Your Company Is Your Castle’ will equip you with critical insights and principles to build strong businesses and, in turn, build yourself into a strong leader.
Rewire, Rework, Reclaim: How to Manage Stress
Author: Dr Rajiv Mehta
Price: ₹295
Publisher: Rupa Publications
In this book, Dr Rajiv Mehta guides you to identify and acknowledge the triggers that take you towards anxiety and depression. He helps you rewire your emotional response to such occurrences and understand the root cause behind the triggers. He tells you how to rework the negative thought patterns and behavioural responses, and reclaim your life with thoughts and actions that give you hope and comfort.
Indian Millennials: Who Are They, Really?
Author: AM Gautam
Price: ₹699
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Who are the Indian millennials? What are the attitudes and lifestyle choices that define their views on politics; gender and sexuality; work and income; caste and class; love, marriage, and family; mental health and well-being, and much, much more? In this eye-opening book, AM Gautam (a millennial himself) travels across the country, meeting millennials in small towns and big cities, to provide a fascinating account of one of the most distinctive generations of our time.
In Pursuit of a New Dawn: A Collection of Short Stories
Author: Anirban Bhattacharyya
Price: ₹295
Publisher: Rupa Publications
This book is a collection of eight compelling narratives where ordinary people are ‘In Pursuit of a New Dawn’. Anirban ‘Andy’ Bhattacharyya looks at life that exists between right and wrong and delves into the transformative power of the human will in driving social change. This is a sensitive and evocative exploration of social stigmas, systemic biases and disparities, and how kinship and allyship can help dismantle inequity.
