Ekta | wisdomekta

  This is my first Murakami read of 2026. And true to his usual writing style, this book also carries his signature sense of the odd, the unexplained, and the unresolved. So, this book is a one-night saga on what happened in Tokyo after the sun had set! Nineteen-year-old Mari Asai was sitting alone in a corner of a famous café when a stranger—well, not entirely a stranger—approached her and struck up a conversation. The stranger, Takahashi Tetsuya, insists that he knows her older sister, Eri, thus setting Mari on an odyssey through the sleeping city. At first, Mari ignored him, just as she was oblivious to everyone who passed by her. But her icy reception didn’t daunt Takahashi’s adamantine resolve, and eventually Mari began answering his questions. What began as an awkward conversation between two seemingly unrelated strangers turned into a wonderful night of adventure, music, and revelations. “After Dark” is generally a light read. It delves into a person’s thoughts and emotion...

  The most difficult thing for anyone in this world, while trying to be original, is being accepted by others enough for them to truly listen to the thought or understand the unique actions. On the other hand, being original itself requires so much risk-taking, inviting undue comments, and being ready to face criticism. There are silent days of annoyance, with no certainty of success and Plan B dying at the beginning stage. This book, titled “ Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World ” by Adam Grant, explores many of these pain points faced by originals. It argues that originality is a necessary trait, especially in this era, and addresses the challenge of improving the world by becoming original by championing novel ideas. I have long admired Adam Grant’s writing. His first book, Give and Take , was every bit as hopeful as this one—optimism wrapped in a layer of practicality. Drawing on studies and stories from business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant shows how t...

  "Yet every day, unconcious bias quietly shapes how you think, judge, and decide, often without you realising it." Mohit Kapoor himself introduced the book!! One of the quiet joys of working with my organisation is crossing paths with insightful souls who remind me that the most powerful ideas do not always stand in the spotlight—they often live in humble faces, honest conversations, and moments of genuine connection. One such delightful meeting was with Mohit Kapoor ji!! “The Hidden Lens: Understanding Unconscious Bias” is an effort to explore the many biases we all carry, often without acknowledging them, even though they quietly influence our lives. This book serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder that unconscious bias shapes our decisions, behaviours, and perceptions—especially in the workplace—often without our even realising it. The book is thoughtfully structured into nine chapters, each offering a deeper look into the world of unconscious bias, the science behind h...

  Disclaimer- This post is part of trait-series-for-kids which I began to search and write for my kids in 2019. With this series of blog posts containing knowledge-slash-experience, I pray from the almighty that our kids have a simple but magical life. The contents of the series are the search, several readings, experiences, and self-reflection. Each trait post will end in a mantra to follow. Dear Sons, Sometimes in life, we feel we are in a strange place or situation, yet somehow it seems as if we have “been there before.” This experience is called “ déjà vu .”  And one ordinary day, without warning, you will feel it too. But I am not going to talk about it today. Today it is about “ vuja de ”!! This is the experience in life when a familiar situation or action, which we have done a hundred times before, suddenly feels completely new. This experience is an art that I wish you to develop, so that you can live a life full of fresh experiences and hopefulness, as every day beco...

The great philosophical books often have open endings , allowing the reader to dive into their own emotions and imagination. After reading this book, my observation seems to have gotten stronger. This was another read gifted to me by an office colleague, titled The Illicit Happiness of Other People by Manu Joseph. The book is a tragicomedy that explores human emotions and expressions in some of the most tragic, yet strangely normalized, lives. Based on a dysfunctional Malayali Catholic family in 1990s of Madras, the story is dealing with the aftermath of their 17-year-old son Unni’s suicide. The plot includes his alcoholic father, Ousep, investigating the "illicit," mysterious reasons behind Unni’s final act, his wife Mariamma (who talks to walls), and their younger, insecure son Thoma. The book uncovers some deep and complex layers of genius, existential joy, and human secrets. “Happiness is an unavoidable, almost 'illicit' destiny that people cannot escape.” This ...

Coming from a background wherein the promises are treated in the most sacred way, this book was not a surprise to me. Since childhood, my parents have made sure that the importance of character, the consequences of promises, and the standard of integrity are well established within my persona. I try my best (on a daily basis) to uphold the teachings of my parents. And that is not because of some obligations towards them, but because when I practice these values, I feel lighter, calmer, and a true peace inside. For me, this book was a simple reminder of my childhood values. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom is a self-help book by Don Miguel Ruiz. It outlines a code of conduct, based on Toltec teachings, that aim to improve one’s life. Agreement 1 – Be Impeccable With Your Word: This speaks regarding the importance and power of our tongue and mouth, and about the words we speak. This agreement urges us that we must try our best to speak truth, avoid gossip, and ...

  On the eve of Women’s Day, as I turned the last page of my second read (1st-  Daivya Sutras  ) from the author Mona Verma, my heart ached for the girls and women who had to endure the piercing pain of being tagged as “manhus” as they become child widows trapped in a fate they never chose. Yet, alongside this sorrow, another feeling of pride rose for those who dared to resist. For the women who questioned, who spoke, who broke, who walked away from the suffocating grip of this cruel tradition. For the ones who took the first trembling step so that others could one day run. The story is begins with the three-year-old Brinda is widowed after being married for a few hours, her family refuses to take her back in. Deemed ‘munhoos’, she finds her way to Nirmala Ashram in Banaras where she leads a life of child widow under the watchful eye of Vasanti Bua and her friend, Debi. It is also a tale of a promise kept by the brother of Brinda, Jhulan. The story begins with a flood, a...

  Reckoning Rumble Revolution This book is my second read by the author, Brené Brown. She is an expert in talking about emotions and vulnerability with a grit that I definitely re-felt empowered. Written in a storytelling style from her own life, she shows that consistency in emotions is yet another key to great leadership. The book primarily argues that the willingness to show up and be seen, with no guarantee of outcome, is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. Living a brave life is not always easy : We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall. As we recognise the power of emotions, somehow we are not afraid to lean into discomfort. Walking into our stories of hurt can feel dangerous . But the process of regaining our footing amid struggle is where our courage is tested, and our values are forged. Our stories of struggle can be big ones, like the loss of a job or the end of a relationship, or smaller ones, like a conflict with a friend or colleague or mi...

  “Our struggles are the short-term steps we must take on our way to long-term success.” This was yet another book I read while flying, when the only distractions were the pilot speaking or the air hostess explaining things. The book is thin, easy to read, and most importantly, divided into point-wise explanations. There are pages that can be skipped and may be later revisited, if and when one start applying the “finding your whys” concepts entailed in this book. After reading his first book,  Start With Why (which was a bit disappointing), it was kind of mandatory for me to read this subsequent part of book  ( giving second chance to writer (pun-intended)!! ). The title of book is - " Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team"  co-written by David Mead, Peter Docker, and Simon Sinek. "Find Your Why" picks up where "Start With Why" left off. This guide intends to guide us on how to apply Simon Sinek’s powerful insigh...

  Being an otrovert , there are times when my observations while talking to a person and the words spoken by them seem like contrasts; those talks are the hardest ones. I feel like completing the formality and running away.  And probably, that's the reason, that the title of this recent read attracted me. “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know” by Malcolm Gladwell – this isn’t the first book I have read by the author. Having already read “The Tipping Point” and “Outliers” by Gladwell, I was more than ready for his signature, journalism-style writing once again. Gladwell certainly attempts to cover a difficult and far-reaching topic – just why and how do conversations with strangers go so wrong? He gives examples reaching back into history – the 16th century first meeting of Cortés and Montezuma – through to the ill-fated meeting of Chamberlain and Hitler, with other famous incidents and accidents. He threw with two puzzles through his writing...

  Warning: Once you read this book, the existence of water will leave a lifelong impression, and there are chances that your perception of the mortality of water will begin to shift. At least for me, now, after humbly accepting the foreverness of books and the stories they embody, I am deeply honoured to know that water’s imprints are forever. This recent read, titled "There Are Rivers in the Sky" by Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak, is unique and vibrant. The story begins in the ancient city of Nineveh, on the banks of the River Tigris, with the erudite but ruthless King Ashurbanipal of Mesopotamia.  We meet the first raindrop when it falls on this Mesopotamian king, and it resurfaces again in the lives of our three storytellers: Arthur, a slum boy born beside the stinking, sewage-filled River Thames in Victorian London; Narin, a Yazidi girl who travels to war-torn Iraq in 2014; and Zaleekah, a newly divorced hydrologist in 2018 London, a miserable woman who has moved ...

  “My mother had a thing for blue in tableware; she said it warded off any evil eyes intent on ruining the food.” A recent, sudden trip led me to search for a to-do list, which led me to this short read, literally just a 30-minute read, with an interesting title, “My Evil Mother” by Margaret Atwood . This is a witty and heartwarming short story about the complex, often misunderstood relationship between a mother and daughter. Life is already hard for a teenage girl in 1950s suburban Toronto . It is even harder when she suspects that her mother might—or might not—be a witch . A single mother , at that. On the surface, she blends in with her starched dresses, string of pearls, and floral aprons. But there are also the quiet, mystical meetings with troubled neighbourhood women. The odd, suspicious plants in the flower beds. The warning, supposedly divined, is to stay away from a boyfriend whose fate is doomed. This is a surprisingly tender story about growing up and about the gap bet...

  Rich. Endless. Full of living, vivid people. Sharp, honest reality. This nearly 2-month read gave an unflinching look at flawed humanity, which feels authentic in this curated world. It is the eighth and final novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky . A full trove of emotions, drama, action, history, and charm of 19th-century Russia !!  Dostoevsky’s deep look into the mind—especially feelings of fear, guilt, emptiness, and isolation—fits today’s world, where many of us face anxiety, identity issues, and constant information overload, making this book feel surprisingly modern and relatable. The Brothers Karamazov is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama , and it breaks almost every “ rule ” of fiction. At its core, it’s an intense study of rivalry, played out through a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons: the impulsive Dmitri, the coldly rational Ivan, and the gentle young novice Alyo...

  Disclaimer- This post is part of trait-series-for-kids which I began to search and write for my kids in 2019. With this series of blog posts containing knowledge-slash-experience, I pray from the almighty that our kids have a simple but magical life. The contents of the series are the outcome of a rigorous search, several readings and first-hand experiences, and self-reflection. My Dear Erninnguaq (sons in Greenland), This time I come directly to my point:- Shut up- Suit up- Show up And become a "rare" species- someone with integrity of the highest quality, intrinsically motivated and yet deeply compassionate. That is who I wish you both to be. Whatever comes your way, may you guys always see shine in the rarest of rare darkness and become a hopeful soul, fulfilling “whys” in your life. May this wish of mine be “copied and pasted” in your minds & hearts forever. As you are growing, the laziness is quietly (and attractively) trying to creep into your body and mind and m...

Disclaimer: “My Old-soul Twinkle,” is my heartfelt attempt to capture the endless stream of thoughts racing through my mind. At times, these musings may seem confusing—or even a little "out there"—but I genuinely welcome your counterpoints and insights. Dive in and share your thoughts! Friendships bloom in countless forms. They are the essential emotional bedrock for human survival. Consider the healthy, respectful bond between parents; the mischievous, shared history of siblings; the fiery camaraderie of college friends, or the innocent joy of schoolyard pals. There's the electric connection of a romantic friendship, the enduring covenant of a lifelong married partnership, and the gentle, blessed wisdom shared with grandparents. These connections—be they the blood of the heart or the bond of shared experience—stand as equals to, if not exceeding, any biological ties. I have been truly blessed with the presence of many profound friendships in my life. Yet, to be honest wi...

As we sat quietly in our hall—my husband and I absorbed in our reading ( me- book and he-newspaper), the kids playing with their toys and filling the room with their cheerful voices—on the evening of the 31st, with no hurry or worry about meeting anyone or rushing anywhere to bid adieu to the year 2025, my old soul felt utterly at peace. This was a victory in itself: there was no desire to go anywhere, only to be with the ones most dear to me . We weren’t making excuses about heavy traffic or crowded places; instead, there was an inner call to pause and welcome the New Year in stillness. This quiet awakening felt like a gentle light, brightening and lightening my inner being. During such times, I often acknowledge one “fault” in my understanding from my upbringing: the idea that I must do something “ bigger in life ”. My ma always insisted that I should do something big with my life. When I was young, I thought she meant an out-of-this-world kind of thing. Whenever my mother would s...

Is this book simply a quick money-making scheme? Yes. Is the plot repetitive and identical to the first four books? Yes. Will I likely purchase the inevitable sequel? Of course. For fans of the series – “ Before the coffee gets cold  ,” “ Tales from the Cafe ,” “ Before your Memory Fades  ,” and “ Before We Say Goodbye  ” – this fifth book offers familiar comfort as it explores modern familial and relationship dynamics while stirring deep emotions. For this series, the mysterious café Funiculi Funicula welcomes four new guests, each hoping to travel back in time for different personal reasons. They are- - 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 These simple stories of people longing to undo a major regret are filled with grace and forgiveness. These remind us of the importance of being ...

  Leadership - one of the most talked-about terms, I have read so many books on this. The latest read, " Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading ” by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky , is a thought-provoking and insightful book on the concept of malleable leadership. Staying alive through the dangers of change, which we as individuals face while trying to balance the identity and significance of life in our workplaces and personal lives, the book is just the handbook to read. The last two chapters of this book really resonated with me, especially " What's on the Line " and “Sacred Heart"... maybe because of what I've been going through lately. Life is always full of excitement!! Key Lessons on Surviving Leadership , which can be learnt through this book, are- Understanding the Danger -  The crucial point is that people generally dislike change, and as their leader, we need to push them out of their comfort zones in order to grow....

  Disclaimer- This post is part of the trait-series-for-kids, which I began to search and write for my kids in 2019. With this series of blog posts containing knowledge-slash-experience, I pray from the almighty that our kids have a simple and magical life. The contents of the series are the outcome of some research, readings, first-hand experiences, and self-reflection. Dear Filhos (sons in Portuguese ), As you are growing, you are beginning to understand what it feels like to be “liked” and “appreciated.” Sometimes, you might find yourself changing your behaviour to fit what others want, just so that “the feeling” of being respected and being heard stays with you. But kidos, here is something important to remember: “ being liked ”, “being appreciated”, or “being called” are not the same as “being respected”. Keep in mind that being respected is a higher level of appreciation and admiration. It doesn’t come from just anyone, and it’s not about money or social status . True respe...

The latest read is a work of literature and philosophy, believed to be one of the suberb portrayals of the human psyche and emotions by 18th-century Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky , titled Crime and Punishment . Crime and Punishment is an unparalleled tale of suspense set amidst nineteenth-century Russia ’s troubled transition to the modern age. It features an engaging blend of intrigue, philosophy, political, social, moral, and religious commentary that all thread together to create literature that captures the deep, raw core of the human condition when it is at its most gruesome and vulnerable stage. The novel's roughly 750 pages explore themes of murder (crime) and redemption (punishment). It broadly has two parts: one following the inner turmoil of a murderer, Raskolnikov , and the other chronicling the melancholic destruction of a family due to a flighty, alcoholic patriarch, social norms, and other factors. Each character is carefully balanced with their foil, with unique...