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Dharmashree
Composed in the early phase of Dr. S L Bhyrappa’s literary career, Dharmashree (1961) deals with the evils of religious conversion and the trauma it causes—at the levels of the individual, family, and society. The subtle and nefarious attempts of Christian missionaries and their relentless attempts at undermining Hinduism for the sake of proselytization are vividly brought out in this novel. Dharmashree depicts the episodes in the life of Satyanarayana, a staunch adherent of Sanātana-dharma, who ends up falling in love with a Christian girl, Lily. Initially a harsh critic of Hinduism, Lily is deeply influenced by Hindu ideals as she wades past discussions and arguments with Satya. Lily’s father would never marry her off to a non-Christian, so what does Satya do? The issues that Bhyrappa raises in this work—authored over sixty years ago—continues to be relevant because even today, thousands of Hindus are getting converted to other religions, creating a rift in their families and the society. The English translation of Dharmashree has been undertaken by Prof. L. V. Shanthakumari, a renowned scholar, literary critic, creative writer, and translator.
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Niraakarana
Narahari, a widower and the father of five, decides to give away his children for adoption. He craves for solitude and finds it impossible to participate in the mundane world. He is drawn towards saṃnyāsa and is allured by the heights scaled by realised souls like Bārāmāsi Mahārāj. He treks the Himalayan peaks, but… can he freeze his mind at a place where time and space are frozen? Can he swim against the river of life to reach its source? Does physical altitude translate to spiritual altitude as well? India’s foremost novelist, Padma Bhushan S. L. Bhyrappa explores the attractions and aversions that humans feel towards worldly life in Niraakarana – The Refusal. He lays bare the dilemmas that a person faces at various stages of his life and the repercussions his decisions can have on his immediate family. The novel creatively suggests the true nature of renunciation and the kind of forbearance it demands. The English rendition of this emotionally engrossing and spiritually uplifting saga retains the nuances of the Kannada original. It has been admirably translated by L. V. Shanthakumari and Arjun Bharadwaj, award-winning authors and translators in their own right with many books to their credit.
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Life Eternal
In this title life and death collide in the stunning sequel to the breathtaking "Dead Beautiful". Renee Winters has changed. When she looks in the mirror, a beautiful girl with an older, sadder face stares back. Her condition has doctors mystified, but Renee can never reveal the truth: she died last May, and was brought back to life by the kiss of her Undead soul mate, Dante Berlin. Now, her separation from Dante becomes almost unbearable. His second life is close to an end, and each passing day means one less that she will spend with the boy who shares her soul. Just when Renee has almost given up hope, she learns of the Nine Sisters - brilliant scholars who, according to legend, found a way to cheat death. She can't shake the feeling that they are somehow connected to her dreams, strange visions that hint at a discovery so powerful, and so dangerous, that some will stop at nothing to protect it. Renee thought she knew the truth about life and death. But there is a secret woven through history that holds the only hope for Dante and Renee. Unless they find answers soon, their time together is doomed to be cut short. A Children’s Bookshelf Selection: Each month our editor’s pick the best books for children and young adults by age to be a part of the children’s bookshelf. These are editorial recommendations made by our team of experts. Our monthly reading list includes a mix of bestsellers and top new releases and evergreen books that will help enhance a child’s reading life.
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Before We Forget Kindness
In the fifth book in the sensational Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, the mysterious café where customers arrive hoping to travel back in time welcomes four new guests: - The father who could not allow his daughter to get married - A woman who couldn't give Valentine's Day chocolates to her loved one - A boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents - A wife holding a child with no name . . . They must follow the café's strict rules, however, and come back to the present before their coffee goes cold. In another moving and heartwarming tale from Toshikazu Kawaguchi, our new visitors wish to go back into their past to move on their present, finding closure and comfort so they can embark on a beautiful future.
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The American Roommate Experiment
'Elena Armas is the undisputed queen of slow burn, steam, deliciously swoony rom-coms.' Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis From the author of the Goodreads Choice Award winner The Spanish Love Deception, the eagerly anticipated follow-up featuring Rosie Graham and Lucas Martín, who are forced to share a New York apartment. Rosie Graham has a problem. A few, actually. She just quit her well paid job to focus on her secret career as a romance writer. She hasn’t told her family and now has terrible writer’s block. Then, the ceiling of her New York apartment literally crumbles on her. Luckily she has her best friend Lina’s spare key while she’s out of town. But Rosie doesn’t know that Lina has already lent her apartment to her cousin Lucas, who Rosie has been stalking―for lack of a better word―on Instagram for the last few months. Lucas seems intent on coming to her rescue like a Spanish knight in shining armour. Only this one strolls around the place in a towel, has a distracting grin, and an irresistible accent. Oh, and he cooks. Lucas offers to let Rosie stay with him, at least until she can find some affordable temporary housing. And then he proposes an outrageous experiment to bring back her literary muse and meet her deadline: He’ll take her on a series of experimental dates meant to jump-start her romantic inspiration. Rosie has nothing to lose. Her silly, online crush is totally under control―but Lucas’s time in New York has an expiration date, and six weeks may not be enough, for either her or her deadline. "A frothy, playful delight... a god-tier forced-proximity romance that had literally grinning so hard at the pages! Delicious fun from start to finish!' Christina Lauren, bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners ‘It’s great on crushes and longing and the deep satisfaction of a slow-burn romance eventually reaching boiling point. This romcom is fresh, funny and highly enjoyable.’ Daily Mail ‘The American Roommate Experiment feels like an homage to all things romance, bringing together so many of the genre’s favourite tropes, nods and scenes in a book that is just as heart-warming and emotional as it is fun and sexy. And best of all, it’s also packed with the most delicious kind of slow-burn tension that will keep readers turning the pages and eager for more.’ Culturefly ‘A delicious romance’ Woman’s Own ‘A light-hearted dose of fun and flirtation for die-hard romantics’ Hea
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Warmth
Dear reader, If you have a heart, you will fall in love. And chances are, someone will end up breaking your heart. I wrote this book after someone broke mine. What do you do when the only person you’ve ever loved with your whole heart decides to leave your life? You keep trying to run away from the hurt, but to no avail. This book is a product of all the running I did from heartbreak. I feel everything too deeply, and when my heart broke, I collected all the broken pieces, and they fuelled my art. This book is everything I wrote after someone I loved left me. There’ s too much heartbreak in these pages, but also too much hope and, more than anything, a promise that life can’ t always hurt you. I hope healing finds its way to you soon. Love, Rithvik
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When Haru Was Here
t's magical how Dustin Thao can make you fall in love with having your heart broken' - Adam Silvera, #1 bestselling author of They Both Die at the End What does it mean to let go . . . ? After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real, and a boy he met last summer – Haru Tanaka – walks into the coffee shop and sits down next to him. The only thing is, nobody else can see him. Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more time together, he begins to question what is real. Soon Eric is losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, and must confront his reality. Even if it means losing Haru forever.
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When The Wildflowers Bloom
Don’t try to predict life, try to explore it instead. Even the roughest, most crooked trails can sometimes lead to magnificent places. After suffering public humiliation at the hands of her husband on what would have otherwise been a memorable evening, Tara Grewal, a homemaker and mother of two, finds herself thrust onto a crossroads. She cannot readily go back to the life she once knew, nor can she move forward without a career or life skills to sustain her. As she transitions from questioning her choices to surrendering to the flow of life, an unfamiliar journey leads her to her grandmother village in Punjab. Amid the simple joys of rural life, and heart-wrenching struggles of daily survival, Tara unknowingly kindle a Spark of hope. A hope that eventually lights her own fire. As she casts off the reins of the predictable and embraces change, Tara unravels her fears and motivations, reaffirming her belief in what she knew to be true—about people, about life, about relationships, and most importantly, about love. In her challenges, she finds her strength. In her escape, she finds her home. Poignant, insightful, and deeply relatable, when the wildflowers Bloom weaves together the complexities of human emotions and societal norms with beauty, sensitivity, and unfailing optimism.
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The 24th Hour
Trouble is never far away . . . The Women’s Murder Club is out celebrating an engagement at San Francisco’s finest restaurant when a blood-curdling scream interrupts the festivities. They soon discover a young woman who has been the victim of a violent assault. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer makes an arrest. Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano takes the case. But assigning blame is made impossible due to the victim’s chaotic version of events – and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory. As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay must chase down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women’s Murder Club short a bridesmaid . . . or two.
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On Beauty
What does it mean to be in the presence of beauty? And how can one explore and understand this through the filmography of writer, director, editor, music composer and choreographer Sanjay Leela Bhansali? In this sweeping text, Prathyush Parasuraman walks the reader through the auteur’s films―those hailed, those hauled―like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, Devdas, Ram-Leela, and Saawariya. With sensitivity and finesse, On Beauty examines beauty as an idea, and aesthetics as a philosophy, while simultaneously shedding light on the making of Bhansali’s painstaking frames through conversations with his cinematographers, composers, choreographers and production and costume designers. In these pages, Bhansali’s cinema comes alive.
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Parde Ke Peechhey
Ila Arun burst into public view with the controversial song from Khal Nayak (1993), Choli Ke Peechhey. But several years before that, she was already well known for her contribution to Rajasthani folk music. Mumbai soon became her home, and it was in this city of glamour that Ila made a name for herself in every genre of the performing arts―film, television, music and playback singing―and also as a composer and lyricist. In the course of her creative journey of almost fifty years, Ila has been associated with several of the best-known names in this field―actors and directors, singers and music directors, classical and folk singers, who appear as characters in her story. Her passion however remains theatre. A writer herself, with several original plays and many adaptations to her credit, this is her first book, an autobiography, which records her life from childhood to the present. It is an honest depiction of her successes and disappointments in the world of theatre, film and music. Told in her inimitable style, with sincerity and a touch of humour, this is Ila at her candid best, sharing a glimpse into her life and experience onstage and backstage, parde ke peechhey.
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Rearming Hinduism
Rearming Hinduism is a handbook for intellectual resistance. Within its pages, Vamsee Juluri delivers a sharp and comprehensive examination of Hinduphobia pervasive in contemporary academia, media, and popular culture. Juluri not only exposes the Hinduphobic narrative’s denial of the profound truths and beauty within Hindu philosophy but also challenges its disregard for the inherent integrity and sacredness of the natural world. This book fearlessly dismantles prevalent misconceptions about nature, history, and ancient civilizations propagated by modern media while debunking Hinduphobic myths surrounding Aryans, invasions, and ritual practices. Through this critique, Rearming Hinduism draws connections between Hinduphobia and a culture marked by exploitation and self-destruction, suggesting that a revitalized Hindu perspective may offer a potent counterforce. It urges readers to envision the present through the lens of timeless principles, thereby uplifting our understanding of our land, time, and the enduring values of sanatana dharma.
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Bangaliyana
The word ‘Bangaliyana’ roughly means ‘the Bengali way of life’. Bangaliyana, the book, is a delightful look at the author’s experience of life through his doodles and cartoons. Each page is infused with the vibrant spirit of Bengali culture, cuisine, and language from the author’spoint of view. Being a probashi Bengali, the author straddles the ‘native’ and the ‘cosmopolitan’ effortlessly and shares a unique perspective of the intersection by blending personal anecdotes with humour. The heart of the book beats with humour because of a delightful medley of doodles and cartoons. Over the span of the last decade, the author, a self-taught cartoonist, dedicated most of his weekends cartooning. Among numerous cartoons he created during this period, his exploration of Bengalis and Bangaliyana filled one of his sketchbooks up to the brim. It was within those pages that the seed of inspiration for this book took roots. The book defies being pigeonholed into a single genre. It is part memoir and part short story/humour. While everyday situations have provided a rich repository of ideas for the sketches, the book also captures moments of nostalgia from the author’s growing-up years. It allowed him to dig deep into his memory bank to fish out stories that most probashis will instantly relate to. Bangaliyana is not a critique of Bangla or Bengali culture but a tribute to the spirit of a true-blue Bengali. Whether you are a probashi or simply curious about the Bengali way of life, this book promises a heartfelt laugh
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Apostles
In his debut book, Biswaroop offers an insight into career lessons he has learned in his long years of managing organisations and talent. Through a collection of reflections and musings, he invites readers to join him on a journey of discovery, reflection, and growth. He brings with him the perspective of an experienced practitioner who is passionate about making a difference in organisations and the lives of the employees. From navigating leadership to fostering a positive organisational culture and managing uncertainty and change to crafting strategic talent agenda, each reflection offers a unique perspective on various dimensions of managing organisations and talent in today’s ever-evolving workplace landscape. Whether you’re an HR professional seeking inspiration, a business leader looking to understand the intricacies of HR management, or simply curious about the inner workings of human resources, this book provides a gem of a lesson to all those interested in people and talent management.
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How to Get into IAS
Welcome to India’s biggest and arguably the toughest examination—the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Clearing the exam is a painful journey—a battle, some might say—that requires tenacity, discipline, dedication, unwavering self-confidence, and hard work. While all losing battles have many things in common, a winning one has one: sound guidance. All unsurmountable goals are possible with a perfect companion and guide.
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Shared Roots
The Indosphere is a broad, expansive cultural and geographical category under the influence of ancient India. While India’s cultural reach beyond the subcontinent has a storied past, its relationship with Cambodia is all but forgotten. Shared Roots tries to plug that gap. Embark on a captivating odyssey through the vibrant currents that once flowed freely between India and Cambodia. Woven together by the threads of dharma, the Indosphere is a fascinating realm where kings exchanged not just spices but also ideas, where artists found inspiration in shared mythology and where spirituality transcended borders. In this collection, seven authors from diverse fields meticulously plot the textures of this bilateral history, revealing the profound connection that shaped both the nations. From the echoing verses of the Reamker to the breathtaking grandeur of Angkor Wat, each page unveils the enduring legacy of this ancient bond. But Shared Roots is more than just a historical journey. It is an invitation to rediscover the power and beauty of cultural exchange untainted by colonialism, a potent reminder that diversity is not just a feature but also an essential building block of a just society. Drawing upon meticulous research and captivating storytelling, this book ignites a conversation about civilizational revival, urging us to celebrate the past while embracing a future enriched by shared understanding. The book is a stunning exploration of cultural fusion, a testament to the enduring power of enlightened values, and a call to action for a more vibrant world.
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Framed
A fundamental principle of the American legal system is a presumption of innocence, but once someone has been found guilty there is very little room to prove doubt. Framed shares ten true stories of men who were innocent but found guilty and forced to sacrifice friends, families, wives, and decades of their lives to prison while the guilty parties remained free. In each of the stories, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey recount the dramatic hard-fought battles for exoneration. They take a close look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place, and the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and the corrupt court system that can make them so hard to reverse. Told with page-turning suspense as only John Grisham can deliver, Framed is the story of overcoming adversity when the battle already seems lost, and the deck is stacked against you.
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One of Us Is Dead
The latest race-against-time instalment of the award-winning Grace series, now a major ITV show. Hunting him would be murder . . . When James Taylor arrives late for a funeral, he has to stand at the back of the small church. But, as the service progresses, Taylor notices a man six rows in front of him. At first he thinks he must be mistaken, but the more he looks at the man, the more convinced Taylor becomes that this is his old schoolfriend Rufus Rorke. Except it couldn’t be him, could it? Because two years ago Taylor attended Rufus Rorke’s funeral. He even delivered Rufus’s eulogy. On the other side of Brighton, at Police HQ, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has been alerted to a number of suspicious deaths that he can’t get out of his mind. But how are they linked? And how could they possibly be connected to Rufus Rorke? Roy Grace is about to find out just how dangerous a dead man can be. 'Peter James is one of the best British crime writers and therefore one of the best in the world' Lee Child 'Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business' Karin Slaughter 'One of the world’s most popular detective series' The Guardian
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Stalled Wheels of Justice
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ is a legal maxim that is often used to buttress the need for speedy justice. But what do we make of justice if it is served to a humble postman accused of stealing 57 rupees and 60 paise or a poor bus conductor charged with siphoning off 5 paise after legal battles that lasted for 29 years and 41 years, respectively? What do we make of justice if it costs so much that a retired senior bureaucrat and a senior Supreme Court judge say that they cannot afford the cost of litigation? What comes closest to this idea of manifest injustice is ‘justice delayed’ and ‘unequal access to justice’. There are various impediments and roadblocks to the dispensation of justice that can be termed as fair. Many of them are beyond the control of the judiciary itself. But a Bharat envisioning to become developed by 2047 needs to have a judiciary enabled by technology, guided by integrity, and motivated to provide quick relief. Piled-up case files, vacant judicial positions, and crumbling spaces cannot be the hallmark of a ‘nation on the move’. To clear these impediments, a concerted effort is required from all the stakeholders starting from government to litigants to the bar and the bench. The judiciary needs to be sophisticated and driven by the zeitgeist of high productivity, and judges need to have modern courtrooms so they can deliver justice swiftly. Stalled Wheels of Justice is not a commentary on law. That is something best left to jurists, lawyers, and constitutional experts. This is the story of law not being able to transform into justice. This is the story of denied insaaf and delayed nyaya. This is the story of a process that the author witnessed as a court reporter—a process that former chief justice of India N.V. Ramana equated with punishment. When the process itself becomes the punishment, poor justice-seekers become the first victims. Even when relief and judgments come forth, they are often empty of substance for they are pyrrhic victories. Much has been said and written from the points of view of persons in black robes, university professors, and intellectuals. But what about from men and women of the country who bore the heavy burden of injustice? This is the story of a faulty process, solvable unsolved problems, and, above all, of people at the end of the spectrum.
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Padma Bharatis
Padma Bharatis: Ordinary Indians, Extraordinary Triumphs India, or Bharat, is a land of unparalleled diversity, a true chitraayana where the tapestry of life is woven with vibrant maanyata (respect) and maryaada (dignity). This nation, with its timeless unity in multiplexity, is a testament to a culture of cultures bonded by a rich tradition of creativity and ingenuity. Padma Bharatis captures this essence through a collection of essays that spotlight the remarkable achievements of ordinary Indians. Over recent years, public recognition of these unsung heroes has witnessed a paradigm shift with Padma awardees increasingly representing the true diversity of the nation. The stories within this book highlight the strength and resilience of people who bring sustainable change while honouring their cultural traditions and experiential knowledge passed down through generations. They are earthy, real, and often from rustic or small- town backgrounds, embodying the core values of a civilization on its path to a sustainable and aspirational future. Padma Bharatis is a celebration of these incredible souls.
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Never Too Late
An act of terror. A summer of change . . . Never Too Late is a stirring drama about the power of human connection and embracing brave change, from the billion-copy bestseller Danielle Steel. Following the death of her beloved husband, Kezia Cooper Hobson decides to leave her home in San Francisco and move to a luxury penthouse in Manhattan, where she’ll be closer to her two adult daughters. As she watches the Fourth of July firework display from her terrace, Kezia is shocked to see smoke and flames pouring from famous landmarks across New York City. Her neighbour, the movie star Sam Stewart, is also aware of the crisis and watches in horror as the terrifying drama unfolds. Determined to offer their assistance, Kezia and Sam hasten to the site and swiftly become involved in the rescue effort. Traumatized by the events they experience, Kezia and Sam bond in the days and weeks that unfold after one of the worst nights the country has ever known. What ensues is a summer of healing and change – and the discovery that it's never too late for dreams to be born again . . .
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ADIDEVA
ADIDEVA: 25 Legends Behind his 25 Names (A Yatra Through Puranas, Sthala Puranas and Itihasas) Shiva kathas are strewn like bright gems across the antiquated treasure chests of the Vedas, Itihasas, Maha Puranas, Sthala Puranas, and folklore. Adideva: 25 Legends behind His 25 Names is a collection of twenty- five enchanting legends about Shiva retold in opulent detail keeping true to the original texts and temple lore. Each tale is supplemented by captivating verses of many saint-poets and photos of intricate sculptures and art, illuminating the adoration of our ancestors for each of the divine manifestations of Adideva. From the well-known stories of Neelakantha, Uma Maheshwara, and Rameshwara, the riveting narratives of Tripurantaka, Sharabeshwara, and Kirata, the poignant accounts of Grishneshwara, Mrtyunjaya, and Matrubhuteshwara to the profound contemplations of Dakshinamurti and Arunachala, the chosen stories are filled with navarasas, and evoke wonder and adoration for Mahadeva. Embedded within these narratives are subtle teachings of dharma and adhyatma—inspiring a journey towards self- discovery. Most importantly, they are the easiest and sweetest ways to cultivate Shiva bhakti, which is the immediate cure for samsara.
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A Baby On Her Christmas List
Nurse Georgie Taylor has just one thing on her Christmas list: a baby! But she never expected her best friend, Dr Liam MacAllister, to offer to be the father. Liam keeps his heart strictly off-limits, but seeing Georgie pregnant ignites feelings he just can’t ignore… feelings that could destroy a beautiful friendship