pen.books.and.scalpel

Their eyes met for the second time in the day. Every time this happens, Aliza feels a ticklish sensation in her stomach. It's not that they have not been closer than just eye contact, but the jitters won't leave her alone. Her mother-in-law was busy scooping out the last few morsels of chicken from the bowl with a creaking noise that numbed Aliza's ears. Her father-in-law was lost in thoughts enjoying his chicken malai korma and tempered ghee rice.   ‘Aliza, can you get me some warm water?’ Aliza comes running with a jar of water to fulfil her new wife's duties, and Ahmed finds his moment just when Aliza is filling his tumbler and his parents are busy eating. He pokes her in the hip, which is faintly visible between her saree fold and her blouse. Aliza winces and moves behind quickly. She turns around to ensure no one has witnessed it and promptly returns to work, flashing a smile. Ahmed had to steal moments like these between daily activities because the house was alwa...

BOOK NAME: A MURDER ON MALABAR HILL - PERVEEN MISTRY INVESTIGATES AUTHOR NAME: SUJATA MASSEY GENRE: LEGAL THRILLER PUBLISHER: PENGUIN INDIA BOOK BUY LINK:   https://www.amazon.in/Murder-Malabar-Hill-Sujata-Massey/dp/0143428233 This book is the first in the 'Perveen Mistry investigates' series and is heavily inspired by the lives of Cornelia Sorabjee, the first woman to study law in Oxford to become India's first female attorney and Mithan Tata Lam, the first Indian woman lawyer to appear before a judge.  The book is set in old Bombay in the 1920s during British rule. Omar Farid's three widows decide to give up their mahr for the wakf board after his untimely death. Their decision worries Perveen as she feels they were heavily manipulated by Farid Mukhri, the family's guardian appointed by the late Farid. But before she could uncover the scandal, a murder happens in the palace under mysterious circumstances. Perveen must now find out the murderer on the loose whi...

Hello Blogchatter team and dear fellow bloggers. This is my first time participating in Blogchatter's A2Z challenge, and I am very much excited to be a part of it.  I had so many ideas to write about, but I finally decided to write a series story based on Muslim women and their households, which rarely gets spoken about. I settled with this one because I think it is a story that needs to be told. The stories are inspired by the women I know, I have seen, and I have heard of. Each day, I will write a short chapter of the story with titles starting from A to Z. I hope I can complete it in time and deliver it as planned. I will look forward to all of your feedback on the same. Thank you, and let’s meet again tomorrow to get a glimpse of Aliza, Ahmed and Cyra's story. #penbooksandscalpel

BOOK NAME: THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF THE SOVIET UNION AUTHOR NAME: SHEILA FITZPATRICK  GENRE: NONFICTION  PUBLISHER: PANMACMILLAN INDIA BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Shortest-History-Soviet-Union/dp/9390742706 This book is a wonder for nonfiction lovers who like to read about world nations and their evolution. Sheila Fitzpatrick beautifully explains the formation of one of the most powerful nations of the world, the USSR. The Soviet Union underwent a series of changes since its formation, with many countries joining and leaving Russia at different points in time. Russia met its peak stardom and downfall over the years under different leadership, from Lenin to Stalin to Khrushchev to Gorbachev. This book explains the changes that happened under each of its leaders with a perfect time stamp. It was fascinating to learn about the ideologies of different leaders and how the nation transitioned between communism, Marxism and socialism.  If you are interested in lea...

BOOK NAME: BAD LIARS AUTHOR NAME: VIKRANT KHANNA GENRE: MURDER MYSTERY PUBLISHER: PENGUIN INDIA BOOK BUY LINK :  https://www.amazon.in/Bad-Liars-Murder-Three-Liars-ebook/dp/B0BT4XY51J Bad liars by Vikrant Khanna is a murder mystery novel where Maurya and Kiran investigate Anant's death, a famous fund manager. It's not easy for the investigators to pin down the accused as everyone they investigate is lying, and the reason behind it makes their job tedious.  Anant's wife, Sanya, claims to have suffered domestic abuse all these years, and she doesn't have an alibi, making the police think she could be the murderer. But Anant's younger brother, Vicky's constant change in his narrative, shifts their attention towards him. He was a compulsive gambler and lost crores of money in betting. Things take a U-turn when Murthi, Anant's former business partner turned rival, enters the picture with a more substantial motive who also met Anant hours before his death. Will th...

You made the world turn around and notice you, While your wonders were known only by a very few. You changed the rules and set them all new, In an orb that would have remained otherwise askew. The colossal sky decorated with the stars and the moon, Without your presence might have fallen down too soon. Most days, you make us get rid of our gloom,  Thriving like those wildflowers that are ready to bloom. I wonder what's left out yet That can't come under your magical beret; Be it a turban, or bonnet, or hijab, or ghunghat, Or perhaps just the fragrance that lingers overhead. You could wield a pen, a pan, a sword, a bat And comfort a soul in need, just like that. You even reached space and travelled around, Vanquishing the evil forces, you pushed them all to the ground. Your greatness, yet the modest speech, To the human-folk, so much it has got to teach. Come forth, for the world is all yours And we ought to break down too many closed doors.   Believe, but trust no one; We have...

BOOK NAME: EVERYDAY REVOLUTION AUTHOR NAME: AMRITA PURKAYASTHA GENRE: NONFICTION PUBLISHER: NOTIONPRESS BOOK BUY LINK:   https://www.amazon.in/Everyday-Revolution-Finding-conviction-Feminism/dp/B0BQBM7YJQ Happy women's day to my amazing womenfolk here. This day calls in for a post on a book written by a woman, which is empowering and holistic in its approach to discussing women's problems. This nonfiction discusses women's everyday struggles in the form of gender bias from birth to death. The problems we face in terms of beauty standards, marital and family expectations and the added responsibilities as a mother and working woman, the wage gap have been elaborated. The author discusses each by starting with her life story and the narratives of other women she has encountered. Not just women, as a true feministic approach, the author also discusses the unattainable standards that are set for men in the society. The activity at the end of each chapter keeps the book inter...

BOOK NAME: THE FAR FIELD AUTHOR NAME: MADHURI VIJAY GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION, POLITICAL FICTION PUBLISHER: FOURTH ESTATE INDIA ( HARPERCOLLINS INDIA) BOOK BUY LINK:   https://www.amazon.in/Far-Field-Madhuri-Vijay/dp/9353570956 I finally read this book that was waiting on my shelf for so long that I even forgot I owned it. What prompted me to pick it up was my quest to read books based on Kashmir for the readathon. Nevertheless, just the perfect time to read it.  Shalini, a 30-something onlyborn to wealthy parents, shares her life journey from childhood to adulthood. She starts with her mother, with whom she shares a wavering relationship. Sometimes, she understands her and wants to be just like her. And at other times, she is confused about her behaviour and wants to avoid her drama.  After losing her mother, she feels an irresistible urge to find Bashir Ahmed, a textile salesman who used to visit her house years ago. Shalini thinks he might have the answer to her ...