Soulful Cal! by Aritra Sarkar

 

Reading this book felt less like turning pages and more like walking through Kolkata with someone who knows how to truly see. Not just the city as a place, but as a living, breathing emotion. From the very first chapter, I realised this is not a guidebook or a collection of facts. It is a love letter written with patience, empathy, and deep respect for the city and its people.

Love how gently the author brings forward the unnoticed lives that hold Kolkata together. Rickshaw pullers, tea sellers, flower vendors, artisans, booksellers, ghat workers—people we pass every day without a second glance—are given space, dignity, and voice. Each chapter feels intimate, almost like listening to a quiet conversation on a street corner or observing life from a wooden bench at a tea stall. I often found myself pausing after a few pages, just to let the emotions settle.

The writing is reflective and layered. There is nostalgia, but it never feels forced. There is sadness, but also resilience. The city’s struggles are acknowledged honestly, without romanticising hardship. Instead, the focus remains on humanity, memory, and survival. I loved how places and everyday objects—yellow taxis, single-screen cinemas, breakfast rituals, old libraries—are treated as treasures, because they truly are. It made me question how often we overlook what gives a city its soul in the rush of modern life.

One line that kept echoing in my mind while reading was this unspoken question: what do we lose when we forget the people behind our routines? This book answers it quietly, through stories rather than statements. It invites you to slow down, to observe, to feel.

By the time I reached the end, Kolkata felt closer to me—even if I wasn’t physically there. This book doesn’t just describe a city; it makes you carry it with you. It reminded me that cities are not built by buildings alone, but by memories, labour, kindness, and endurance.

Soulful Cal! is thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply human. It deserves to be read slowly, savoured, and revisited—just like the city it celebrates.

Whispers of the Buried Truth Tara Lofton

 

Some stories don’t rush into your hands — they whisper their way into your mind, staying there long after the last page. Whispers of the Buried Truth felt exactly like that kind of experience for me. From the moment I stepped into the fog-drenched town of Ashmoor, I knew this wouldn’t be a simple thriller but something far deeper, heavier, & emotionally immersive.

This book is layered, atmospheric, & haunting in the best way possible. Every chapter carries a quiet tension, as if the town itself is watching, remembering, refusing to let the past rest. I found myself slowing down while reading—not because it drags, but because the writing demands attention. It asks you to listen, to read between the lines, to feel the weight of what is unsaid.

The characters are written with depth & realism that make them feel painfully human. Their wounds, silences, & inner conflicts unfold naturally, making you emotionally invested in their journeys. I loved how the story explores trauma, memory, truth, & the heavy cost of silence without becoming overwhelming. It doesn’t sensationalise pain—it lets it breathe.

There were moments where I paused & thought, “How much of the past can we really bury before it demands to be seen?” That question lingered with me throughout the book. The slow-burn tension, psychological depth, & unsettling calm before every revelation kept me hooked till the end.

What stood out most was the atmosphere. Ashmoor isn’t just a place; it feels like a presence—one that remembers everything. The writing is moody, vivid, & quietly powerful, pulling you deeper with every page.

By the time I finished the book, I wasn’t just satisfied—I felt impacted. This is one of those stories that stays with you, reminding you that some truths may be buried, but they’re never truly gone.

A beautifully written, emotionally rich psychological thriller & a truly memorable read.

Haikus of Soul by Autley I. Salahuddin

 

Reading this felt like sitting quietly with someone who is finally ready to open their heart—slowly, honestly & without filters. This collection isn’t just poetry; it’s a life unfolding in three-line breaths. Each haiku feels like a moment the author once held tightly, now released into the world with grace & courage.

What struck me most was how deeply personal the experience felt. It’s rare to read a book that makes you pause after almost every page & think, “Have I ever felt this too?” Whether he speaks of love that nourishes, lust that consumes, or the confusion of a life interrupted by pain & transformation, the emotions land with an intimacy that lingers long after closing the book.

The sections on love were especially touching—gentle, grounded & full of a yearning that feels universal. “Saying ‘I love you’ should mean I am committed…”—a simple line, but it kept echoing in my mind. The author reminds us that love isn’t a performance; it’s an intent, an offering, a quiet promise we make with our actions more than our words.

The transition into lust is bold & unapologetically real. Instead of shying away, the author embraces desire as something human, honest & deeply connected to memory. These haikus are raw, sometimes playful, sometimes intense & always genuine. I found myself smiling at the unexpected humor sprinkled between the lines—“Remember these lips?”—because even in passion, the author writes with clarity & presence.

But the most powerful part for me was “Confusion.” Here, his vulnerability becomes the book’s heartbeat. The reflections on incarceration, faith, disappointment & inner healing felt like reading pages carved from the soul. The honesty is almost disarming. My heart beats with hope..—a reminder that even in the darkest spaces, the human spirit searches for light.

What makes this book unforgettable is its authenticity. Every poem feels like an exhale, a release, a truth that needed a home. And as a reader, you feel honored to be invited into that space.

If you’ve ever wondered how much emotion can fit into just 17 syllables, this book answers that beautifully

Manvantara by Ajay Nandeshwar

 

Every so often, a book comes along that doesn’t just tell you a story—it fundamentally shifts the way you look at history and myth. Manvantara is absolutely one of those rare reads for me. I’m still buzzing from the experience, honestly. I picked it up thinking it would be a fun blend of fantasy and sci-fi, but what I got was a deeply researched, breathtakingly imaginative, and surprisingly spiritual journey that took me far beyond my expectations.

The core question the author poses—what if the ancient tales of gods and creation aren’t just allegory, but a record of advanced intervention?—is just brilliant. The way the narrative weaves together complex scientific concepts with the timeless wisdom of Indian mythology, forgotten global traditions, and the lore of powerful, non-human entities is seamless. It’s a huge, audacious concept, and I was completely hooked from the first page of the chapter "Anveshnam." When you start reading about the Lumari and the secrets hidden in places like Aru Kad, you just have to ask yourself: could any of this be true?

What I loved most was the sheer ambition of his world-building. He doesn't just borrow from existing lore; he synthesizes it into something entirely new and coherent. He has such a precise way of presenting ancient knowledge and futuristic technology side-by-side that it never feels forced. You can tell how much passion and dedication he poured into every detail, making characters and conflicts feel incredibly real, despite the monumental scope of the timeline. His writing is magnetic and highly visual; I felt like I was watching an epic film unfold in my mind.

If you are looking for a book that challenges the established narrative and gives you a magnificent, sweeping, and intelligent theory of human origins, please, pick this up. This book isn’t just for mythology enthusiasts or sci-fi fans—it’s for anyone who is curious about the vast, beautiful mysteries of our existence. 

Highly Recommended!! It’s truly unforgettable.

Amazing Contributions of Ancient Indian Sages to STEAM by Sri (Sri Rajeshwari Devi)

 

Reading this book was like opening a forgotten treasure chest of ancient wisdom — and I was genuinely amazed by the depth of scientific understanding our Indian sages possessed long before modern science caught up.

This book is a heartfelt and enlightening journey through the incredible contributions of ancient Indian scholars to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics (STEAM). What truly stood out to me was how seamlessly it explained profound knowledge through stories, quotes, and ancient texts. It’s not just a collection of facts, but a narrative that makes you feel connected to your roots.

One quote that stayed with me was: “We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discoveries could have been made.” — Albert Einstein

From Acharya Kanada's concept of atoms and molecules centuries before modern chemistry, to Aryabhata’s mind-blowing accuracy about planetary movements and the speed of light, each chapter left me in awe. And did you know the Big Bang theory was hinted at in the Rigveda as 'Bindu Sphota'? Fascinating, right?

The author has done an incredible job simplifying complex ancient ideas for young readers, making it a perfect guide for children as well as adults who want to rediscover the brilliance of Indian civilization. The worksheets at the end add a fun and interactive touch — perfect for making the learning process engaging.

What I loved most was how the book restores pride in our heritage. It’s more than just history or science — it’s a celebration of who we were and what we’re capable of. Every chapter made me wonder, “Why didn’t we learn this in school?”

If you're looking for a book that blends education, culture, and pride seamlessly — this is it. It’s informative, easy to read, and deeply inspiring.

Highly recommended for students, parents, educators, and anyone curious about the genius of ancient India.

अभय से स्वामी अभयानंद तक ~स्वामी अभय आनंद

 

हाल ही में, मैंने स्वामी अभयानंद की यह अद्भुत पुस्तक पढ़ी और मैं कह सकती हूँ कि यह सिर्फ एक किताब नहीं है, बल्कि मानव चेतना की गहराई में ले जाने वाला एक प्रामाणिक दस्तावेज है। यह कृति एक यात्रा है—अभय नाम के एक साधारण व्यक्ति से स्वामी अभयानंद तक पहुँचने का सफर—जिसमें संसार, संन्यास और प्रेम जैसे शाश्वत विषयों को बड़ी ही बारीकी और संवेदनशीलता से छुआ गया है।

पुस्तक की सबसे बड़ी शक्ति इसकी ईमानदारी है। लेखक ने अपने व्यक्तिगत संघर्षों, जीवन के भ्रमों और अपनी त्रुटियों को बिना किसी संकोच के पाठक के सामने रखा है। इस निडर प्रस्तुति ने इसे किसी उपदेश से कहीं ऊपर उठाकर एक अत्यंत व्यक्तिगत संवाद का रूप दिया है। जैसे-जैसे मैं पन्ने पलटती गई, ऐसा लगा जैसे मैं किसी अनुभवी दोस्त के साथ बैठी हूँ जो जीवन के सबसे गहरे सबक साझा कर रहा है। उन्होंने बताया है कि कैसे उनके जीवन में ओशो की शिक्षाओं ने अँधेरे से निकलने की रोशनी प्रदान की और कैसे उनके स्वर्गीय पिता की सीख— "जीवन में कुछ भी बनना या न बनना, पर सच का साथ कभी मत छोड़ना"—ने उन्हें हमेशा सच के मार्ग पर चलने के लिए प्रेरित किया।

यह पुस्तक स्पष्ट रूप से दर्शाती है कि संन्यास का अर्थ सब कुछ त्यागना नहीं है, बल्कि जीवन को एक सत्यनिष्ठ दृष्टिकोण से जीना है। यह उन सभी पाठकों के लिए एक मार्गदर्शक है जो आंतरिक शांति और उद्देश्य की तलाश में हैं। आज की भाग-दौड़ भरी जिंदगी में, हम सब कहीं न कहीं सुकून और सही दिशा खोज रहे हैं, और यह किताब हमें सिखाती है कि बाहरी दुनिया में उलझे बिना भी हम अपने अंदर आनंद कैसे खोज सकते हैं। यह आपको हिम्मत देती है कि आप अपने जीवन के उतार-चढ़ावों को स्वीकार करें और उन्हें आध्यात्मिक विकास का हिस्सा मानें।

मेरा मानना है कि 'अभय से स्वामी अभयानंद तक' एक अविश्वसनीय और आवश्यक पठन है। अगर आप जीवन के बड़े प्रश्नों (प्रेम का सही अर्थ, आंतरिक शांति और उद्देश्य) के उत्तर चाहते हैं, और एक ऐसी प्रेरणादायक कहानी पढ़ना चाहते हैं जो आपको निराशा से बाहर निकलने का रास्ता दिखाए, तो आपको यह किताब निश्चित रूप से पढ़नी चाहिए। यह किताब मुझे बहुत पसंद आई और मैं इस अद्भुत कृति के लिए लेखक को दिल से धन्यवाद देती हूँ।

The Hour of Lost Words by Natasza Socha

 

There are books that touch your heart softly & then there are those that quietly shatter something within you, only to put it back together in a gentler, more meaningful way. This book belongs to the latter. It’s one of those rare reads that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, making you pause & reflect on everything left unsaid in your life.

The story follows Catherine, a woman caught between grief, memory & rediscovery after her mother’s sudden death. Through her eyes, we experience the fragile beauty of ordinary moments—the unspoken tension between a mother and daughter, the comfort of routines & the ache of words that were never spoken in time. When she gets a chance to spend one final “hour” with her late mother, the story transforms into something magical, intimate & profoundly healing.

What makes this book extraordinary is its quiet honesty. It doesn’t dramatize pain—it understands it. The author beautifully captures the bittersweet relationship between mothers & daughters, where love often hides behind disagreements & concern wears the disguise of criticism. “Sometimes someone’s absence is better than poorly chosen words,” Catherine reflects & that one line broke me completely.

There’s a poetic calmness in the way grief is portrayed here. The narrative isn’t just about losing someone—it’s about rediscovering yourself in their absence. Every page feels like a whispered conversation between two souls—one living, one gone—but both still deeply connected. The author’s writing is evocative, filled with small domestic details that make the emotions real: a forgotten lipstick shade, the smell of calendula cream, a half-empty jar of flour.

By the time I reached the ending, I found myself thinking—Is an hour even enough to say what was left unsaid? Perhaps not. But this book reminds us that love often lingers in gestures, memories & even silence.

If you’ve ever lost someone, argued with someone you love, or simply missed a chance to say “I love you,” 'The Hour of Lost Words' will find you. It’s tender, wise & deeply human—a quiet masterpiece that speaks to the heart more than words.