pen.books.and.scalpel

BOOK NAME: MY NAME IS NOT DEVDAS AUTHOR NAME: AAYUSH GUPTA GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION  PUBLISHER: HARPERCOLLINS INDIA BOOK BUY LINK:   https://www.amazon.in/Name-Not-Devdas-Aayush-Gupta/dp/9356292825 Have you read any books retold based on your favourite classic book or movie? I have tried a few before, and it was so terrific to witness the author's nuances to maintain the book's core while presenting it creatively. This book is based on the ever-classic movie 'Devdas' set in the contemporary world. In a parallel universe, there exists a Paro, Devdas and Chandramukhi, trapped in a twisted love triangle, living in a world of half-lies, bruised egos and obsessions. In contrast to the movie, this book is set in modern Delhi amidst student politics, burning protests, marches, and divided ideologies. Paro and Chandramukhi share much in common though their worlds are poles apart. They both are law students in Jamia Milia Islamia; both grew up without parents under the ca...

BOOK NAME: JASMINE DAYS AUTHOR NAME : BENYAMIN (TRANSLATED FROM THE MALAYALAM BY SHAHNAZ HABIB) GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION, TRANSLATED BOOK PUBLISHER: JUGGERNAUT BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Jasmine-Days-Benyamin/dp/9353450748 This challenge by Blogchatter is very close to my heart because translated books are my go-to zone, and I had to be a part of this challenge by all means.  Before discussing the book, let me share an interesting back story of why I chose this book for the challenge. Whenever I start a book, I habitually read the author's and the translator's notes before starting the book itself, even if it's on the book's last page. While referring to them, I found an interesting note by Benyamin stating that this book was initially written by a certain Sameera Parvin, a Pakistani immigrant in the Middle East, and he had accidentally stumbled upon her book through a friend. The book was stated to be "a spring without fragrance", original...

BOOK NAME: HAPPIMESS AUTHOR NAME: BISWAJIT BANERJI GENRE: HUMOR PUBLISHER: LOCKSLEY HALL BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/HAPPIMESS-BISWAJIT-BANERJI/dp/8194382041 You know a book that claims to be based on humour and satire is going to be worth it when the author executes the claim from the very dedication and acknowledgement. Since the moment I opened the book till I finished it, I enjoyed it the same. The author’s ability to write with the creative intent from the first page is commendable. This book is a collection of short stories based on mundane scenarios with a rare insight into each storyline. True to its title, the author has given a witty account of each scenario, turning them into light-hearted moments which could have turned messy otherwise.  Starting from daily routine activities like ironing clothes to having a little chat with the neighbour to complex scenarios like getting diagnosed with rare disorders which turns you into a celebrity overnight to keeping...

“Madam, I won't be able to place you with that team. Maybe with some other team, please.” The office staff was pleading with the newly joined female surgeon.  She appears to be a fresher and is willing to join the team that manages patients of her interest. A surgical team is generally divided into teams or units which work on a specific schedule each day through the week on a rotation basis. I understand that this fellow young surgeon, like me, is interested in a particular area of interest.  I did not involve in their little conversation because I had to carry on with some other work, but their discussion sparked something inside me. Maybe, I was just eager to know why she was being denied and forced to work with another team.  A couple of days later, I happened to meet her in person while at lunch, and both of us were on our own. Leaving aside my social anxiety, I decided to sit with her and have a little chat about the event that happened the other day. Initially, she...

 BOOK NAME : HEART ON THE EDGE AUTHOR NAME : NOVONEEL CHAKRABORTY GENRE : THRILLER PUBLISHER : PENGUIN INDIA BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Heart-Edge-Novoneel-Chakraborty/dp/0143449516 Naishee returns home hoping for a peaceful weekend after work, but all she gets is chaos in the family because some secrets are finally revealed.  A week later, she receives dreadful news that her loving brother is missing, and the police and her parents think he fled the house on his own. But Naishee knows something is wrong. Her doubt turns true when a strange parcel shows up at her apartment with a phone in it.  Later, she keeps getting clues and demands from an unknown person through a new parcel every time with a phone in it, and she can't go to the police because she is being watched. Who could it be, and what is their motive? What does Naishee or her brother have to do with anything? Pick this penguin metro reads thriller for a suspenseful ride. This book is filled with...

BOOK NAME : IN SEARCH OF DIVINE - LIVING HISTORIES OF SUFISM IN INDIA AUTHOR NAME : RANA SAFVI PUBLISHER : HACHETTE INDIA GENRE : HISTORICAL NON-FICTION  BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Search-Divine-Living-Histories-Sufism/dp/9393701113 This well-researched historic non-fiction speaks elaborately on the start and spread of Sufism across the globe. Though Islam is a religion that doesn't encourage separate sects, people have divided themselves into groups based on their understanding of religious teachings. Sufism is one such group among others which is famous for its mystical elements and metaphysical connection. I myself am unaware of most aspects of Sufism and it was interesting to read about its roots and how it was welcomed in India. The book is based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith which were explained with references. Though I came across a few sayings which are not from reliable sources and come across as myths, many others were taken from authentic ref...

BOOK NAME : TERESA’S MAN AND OTHER STORIES FROM GOA AUTHOR NAME : DAMODAR MAUZO (TRANSLATED FROM THE KONKANI BY XAVIER COTA) PUBLISHER : RUPA PUBLICATIONS GENRE : SHORT STORY COLLECTION  BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Teresas-Man-other-Stories-Goa/dp/8129134667 This book is a collection of short stories set in different timelines based in Goa. I was so excited to start this book because it is my first book based on Goa and I wanted to read about its culture and background apart from being a tourist place. After reading this book, I would say that authors should write more Goan literature because the setting and culture is so rich and diverse.  A few stories in the book were witty, a few melancholic, and a few were thought-provoking. Though I would say I loved a few stories, I did not get entirely invested in a few others. That is because most of the stories had an open ending. It is one thing to finish a book on a cliffhanger, and it is entirely different to stop ...

BOOK NAME : The Shortest History of Democracy AUTHOR NAME : John Keane PUBLISHER : Panmacmillan India GENRE : Historical non-fiction BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Shortest-History-Democracy-John-Keane/dp/9390742862 History is a subject that fascinates me like no other and this book was such a delight. Contrary to the popular belief that democracy started its roots in Athens, the author has written facts from history that date back democracy to 2500 BCE in Syria-Mesopotamia. Since then, democracy has had its ups and downs with the change of rulers worldwide.  The book is divided into three parts:  assembly democracy, electoral democracy and monitory democracy, and it beautifully explains each in simple terms.  I was intrigued by the timeline of democratic rule from its start in Syria- Mesopotamia to being ridiculed by fascists, tyrants and military rulers. Democracy's survival through two great world wars and how humans transformed from treating the ruler as ...

BOOK NAME : CLOSE YOUR EYES - A FAIRY TALE AUTHOR NAME : CHRIS TOMASINI GENRE : HISTORICAL ROMANCE  PUBLISHER : INDEPENDENT (SELF) BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.com/Close-Your-Eyes-Fairy-Tale/dp/B09NRK3ZQH My first book for February is a historical romance fiction set in the 1400s in Europe. The book starts with a short description of the Gora kingdom and its king, Pawel. The greatest in-depth account of his powers makes one believe that he is the story’s protagonist. Samuel, the king's court jester, returns to Gora years later to visit the room he shared with his best friend, Tycho. He collects the king's advisor, Ahab's scrolls, with the promise of writing his story to the world. As someone who had never experienced the feeling of being loved, he acknowledges every form of love around him.  In this story, Sam narrates the love between Pawel and his wife, Kristina and how it kept their kingdom thriving. He talks about how love had taken over the king's senses whe...