Shakuni: Paason ka MaharathiAshutosh Nadkar2019Juggernautpp. 239(audiobook Storytel production 2021) The story of Shakuni is well known as part of the great war between the Kuru brothers, in Mahabharat. Portrayed as the villain in almost all versions of Mahabharata, Shakuni’s tale has been narrated from his voice in this book. Nadkar’s version is a retelling of…
Hazaaron KhwahishenRahul Chawla2020Hind Yugm Bluepp. 253 This beautifully written book centers on the love story of two young college students and how they negotiate with the world around them, together and in their own separate ways. The description of how young love matures and the impact of realities of life on ideal romanticism in relationships,…
Jakh BabaNilotpal Mrinal2019Storytel Set in the Hindi hinterland, this book is the story of a young man who buys a bike. That is essentially the whole story, the young man wishing for a bike, his father agreeing to buy it, the trip to the city to buy it and the ritualistic worship at the village…
Padhna, Zara SochnaKrishna Kumar2018Jugnoo Prakashanpp. 68 This short book is a collection of essays by Prof Krishna Kumar. A stalwart in the field of education, his writing is always worth reading. The collection of essays is thought provoking, right from the first sentence of the book. It makes you wonder whether most of us are…
Sookha Bargad (Hindi)Manzoor Ehtesham2020 (8th ed.) Originally Published 1986Rajkamal Prakashanpp. 228 This fictional account of the lives of a young brother and sister living in Bhopal. Growing up in a household that is characterised by their father’s progressive ideas and mother’s traditional Islamic practices, the two develop critical thought and try to make sense of…
Dilo Danish (Hindi)1993Krishna SobtiRajkamalpp. 235 The story of Dilo Danish focuses on the life of a lawyer, his wife and his concubine. He has children from both the women. His life is thus quite busy in managing his practice and the two families. The story is set in domesticity and is primarily not a genre…
Baaghi Ballia (Hindi)Satya Vyas2019Hind Yugm The story of this book revolves around student politics in the hinterland of Uttar Pradesh. The book seems like an accurate portrayal of the conversations, concerns and preoccupations of young adults in the town. The first few chapters were very engaging. There was a lot of humour and novelty in…
Bolna Hi Hai (Hindi)Ravish Kumar2019Rajkamal Prakashanpp. 240(Audiobook on Storytel) In this book, Ravish Kumar talks on various contemporary political and social issues. Many of the essays in the book draw from his previous shows and articles. As it is reputed to be, the book is bold and undoubtedly thought provoking. Irrespective of your ideology, I…
Yaar Jadugar (Hindi)Nilotpal Mrinal 2021 Hind Yugmpp. 240 Audiobook on Storytel Yaar Jadugar is a fictional tale set in a village. The plot revolves around people from the village bringing their loved ones back to life through a magician/ tantrik, I am not sure what is the right word. As people struggle to make…
Aako BakoDivya Prakash Dubey2020Hind Yugmpp 160 Aako Bako is a collection of Hindi short stories that cover a range of contemporary issues largely revolving around relationships. The joy of reading Dubey’s works is in the refreshing take he brings to the everyday stories. Reading him is an acknowledgement of the beautiful stories that exist in…
