Ekta | wisdomekta

  “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”      I am  yet another  fan and follower of this book. It remains a book I re-read every few months, especially during times of despair and confusion—a ritual I have tried to maintain since 2000. I have watched the videos and movie adaptations of the same title multiple times, but this book offers an escape that helps me connect with the realities of life.      “ Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson ” is a 1997 memoir by American author Mitch Albom. The book is about a series of conversations that occurred when Albom vis...

This book was exactly what I needed right now. I have known Fredrik Backman through his well-known novel  "A Man Called Ove "  . This is my second read from the author. The third one is on my to-read list. This quirky tale focuses on a character's everyday life and the tiny, often ridiculous troubles that arise, highlighting the absurdity of human actions and societal norms. Our protegee, Lucas who is a bit of a grump and a complete loaner, needs just three things for a perfect life: video games, wine, and pad thai with peanuts. Then, one day, the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally. And the rest is the story which requires reading!!! If you're looking for...

During one of my training, I had the opportunity to attend a class-cum-workshop led by a charming faculty member who was discussing a common topic with interesting twists. At the time, I had no idea who she was or what her background entailed. Curiosity piqued, I later learned that she was an accomplished writer who had gained acclaim for her work. This remarkable faculty member turned out to be Ms. Mona Verma, the author of a notable book that has resonated with countless readers. I think, since the dawn of language, storytelling has always captivated our hearts and minds! My childhood was filled with many stories told by my mother. Mythology weaves a vibrant tapestry of tales that help us explore our culture and discover our place in the grand narrative of life. Daivya Sutras is one such remarkable collection of unforgettable stories. This enchanting book, with its stunning cover, draws in with captivating tales of the trinity, heroic warriors, the divine beauty of goddes...

  “It has been said that books find their own readers—but sometimes they need someone to show them the way.” A wonderful colleague of mine introduced me to this amazing book, and I'm really thankful to her for it! It's all about the love of books, and I couldn't be happier to have discovered it. Without any spoilers, let me share an exhilarating glimpse into this captivating book!  Meet Carl Christian Kollhoff, a 72-year-old bookseller with a unique mission: he delivers carefully selected books to his special customers under the enchanting glow of moonlight. Each evening, he curates tales that perfectly resonate with the unique personalities of his clients. But one fateful night, Carl's world turns upside down when he encounters the lively and sharp-witted nine-year-old Charlotte, who introduces herself as Schascha. Their dynamic sparks a thrilling adventure that not only transforms the lives of Carl’s customers but also intertwines their destinies in ways t...

This self-help book can be succinctly summarized as " repackaging old wine in a new bottle ". We Indians have a solid philosophical background and, although, the terms used in this book are new, the basic theme behind them is an age-old Hindu concept which, I guess, is not new for Indian reader.  The book basically says to trust to inner voice/gut (“ sage ”, a term used in the book) when kama (Desire/Lust), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Maya (Ego), Moha (Attachment),  Matsarya (Jealousy) and Alasya (laziness) -aka “ saboteurs ”, a term used in the book, start controlling mann ; as Mann (“ judge ”, a term used in the book) later start dictating the life decisions if left uncontrolled. The book does a great job of showing how to shift from a "Saboteur mode" to a "Sage mode" mindset. It explains how to apply positive intelligence and resilience in everyday life using relatable case studies and practical exercises. The book outlines di...

A treacherous and vicious short thriller, “A Slow Fire Burning” showcases the saying HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE . This novel is the dark tale of the interwind fates of 07 characters. The title is appropriate because the story themes the slow burn of anger, hatred, jealousy and deceit brewing within these characters. The novel begins with a map outline of the town's setup, where the story is set in motion. Theo Myerson and his wife, Carla, are a couple whose happy and successful life took a rough turn after the death of Ben, who died accidentally at only three years of age. Laura, a girl with a limp, is a poor young soul who suffered from physical, emotional, mental and self-image issues after a horrific accident at the age of ten. Miriam is a middle-aged woman who lives in a boat and has the tendency to poke around the lives of others with a secret vendetta brewing. Angela, Carla’s sister, lives a lonely and unhappy life. She lived with her son Daniel until recently, when...

My thorough understanding (till date) on my reading journey is that if you want to remain humble and want to be grateful for all the “luxuries” received in your life, either read Mahatma Gandhi’s book ‘ The Story of My Experiments with Truth ’ or read about the various accounts of the Holocaust survivors. These stories have constantly given me another reason to remain human and hopeful.  “The Storyteller” by American Writer Jodi Picoult is a fictional novel based on events. The story is set in two parallel times, one in the 2000s in the United States and the other during the Holocaust.  The three main characters in the novel are Sage Singer, Minka and Josef Weber. Sage Singer is a baker trying hard to live an everyday life following an accident that maimed half her face. Sage suffers from emotional and physical scars and works like a recluse post-accident trauma. Minka, the grandmother of Sage, is a Holocaust survivor. She was imprisoned at Auschwitz, and hers is t...

  “Hear the Wind Sing” is the first read for the year 2023. The novella written by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is the first one by this famous writer. It first appeared in the June 1979 issue of Gunzo (a local magazine) and in the form of a book the next month. Having recently read Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by the author, I figured I would go rearwards and start at the beginning, try and acquaint myself with his entire body of work. This first book is an uncooked write-up with a focus on the core human sentiment. The writing has beautifully grasped human feelings vis the immediate environment. The visualization is so vivid that it is like living the novel. The novella is Magical, mystical, and magnificent but otherwise seemed messy, middling, and monotonous. One of the most impressive things absent from Hear the Wind Sing is the plot!! …and yet it is one of the best-selling novels since 1979. The book is about eighteen days in a boy’s life before he return...

“No matter which way I look at it, it’s clear that Verity was a master at manipulating the truth. The only question that remains is: Which truth was she manipulating?” This was my first encounter with Colleen Hoover. “Verity”, a book that is popularly suggested on many online sites, is now added to my overflowing shelves. A mind-boggling story that moves toward an artful twist is psychological suspense with a striking ending. It seems that the book shall remain imprinted in my mind… well…at least till the time I read another great nail-biter . It has set a bar in the thriller genre in my reading fling. The book begins with Lowen, a stumbling writer, who is offered to become a “ ghost ” writer with Verity Crawford, a top-name author who is currently incapacitated to finish what this popular author started. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, keen to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. While sorting through Verity’s notes...

A 448-page memoir published on November 13, 2018, is the saga of how culture shapes life. The book is written by Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, the first African-American woman who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. And this is her story of zeal, emotions, and family love. Mrs. Obama's candour dissipates a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling. The book is divided into three sections: Becoming Me (my favourite), Becoming Us, and Becoming More. She invites readers into her world, chronicling her childhood hardships, her efforts during school and college, the hardship of being a professional, and then her public life. There is one baseline of the book (i.e. beside her own life) which is the persistent conversation about her family, her husband, and her journey of motherhood. What I loved about her writing is that she kept it real. The fear, triumphs, anxiety, hopes, disappointments, etc… She tells her full story as she has lived it. The...

  Initially, the name of the writer of this latest read Ankur Warikoo was known to me as a podcaster who chaperoned me through morning walks via his online sessions. Later, I started following him on YouTube and found his theories and topics relatable and practical. So it was no wonder that I pre-booked this book with the unique title "Do Epic Shit" and read it. But surprise… surprise… this small book took me two months to finish . Certainly, the content is fantastic. And I followed the instructions of the writer to go over 4-5 pages at one time and later gave comprehensive thought to the readings. There is nothing new in the book… yet everything re-new-ed . My verdict about this book is… the simple writing with quick fundas deciphered in the most genial manner- is perfect for those readers who avoid thick self-help kind-of books and for those who are looking for some affirmation booster in the various situations of their lives. The book enlightens the timeless concepts i....

“The ultimate purpose of habits is to solve the problems of life with as little energy and effort as possible.” This realistic book whose complete title is Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by one of the world's leading experts on habit formation is my new read and IT IS GOOD READ for me because the strategies and suggestions delivered in the book have stayed with me even when the book is finished. For me, any technique, funda, or theory is impressive when it is simple and to the point…and this book is a distilled version of the complex topics which are relatable in our lives. Mind you that many of the ideas told in this book are not-so-new but James Clear has set the perspective and tone of his writing in actionable advice in the form of CUE-CRAVE-RESPONSE-REWARD . As he says- If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not ...

  The courage to be happy also includes the courage to be disliked. If you ever implored yourself " what's the point of life "… STOP YOUR THOUGHT…. Read this book!!! It presents Adlerian psychology about how to change your mindset to fulfill a simpler and happier life. The Courage to Be Disliked is a Japanese exploration of the work of 19th-century psychologist Alfred Adler written in the setup of dialogue or rather a conversation between a skeptical and somewhat bitter student and a reclusive Philosopher. Throughout the book, the boy undergoes a transition and gets a new outlook on life based on the philosophy of the book. Kishimi and Koga believe if we become a little more courageous and know that what others think of us is completely beyond our control, it can set us on the path to a peaceful existence. It’s a philosophy that’s profoundly liberating, letting us develop the courage to improve and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselv...

ebooks vs real book (image- internet) As far as I recollect, I have forever been a bookworm . Give me my books, a mug of coffee and leave me at the beach- THAT IS MY DREAM. Books give me solace when the going gets hard. Opening up hundreds of worlds as the pages flip, books are a secret door to an undiscovered place. Whenever my love affair with reading is talked about, I have been confronted with a particular question– ebooks or real books ? And my constant retort to this inquiry is- A book with great content is my certain requirement. It does not make a difference whether the pages are flipped or swiped!! With ramifications of the Covid pandemic and delivery constraints, e-books have turned out to be my recent favorite format of reading. However, the glamour of reading from the physical book is never-ever dying on me. To me, the excitement of getting an e-book instantly vs sitting tight on the door waiting for the arrival of a physical book is like the taste of sugar and spice- both...

  Who I Am                                           Image from Internet Disclaimer- This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book. I read this title from Paulo Coelho in the year 2007. This is one of those novels which retained a peculiar outgrowth of my contemplation scrutinizing life and its very purpose. And I found this book when my life was about to take a 360-degree change. It was during those times when I had to decide the course(in the literal sense) of my life this book became a navigation guide. I had left it to destiny to render me the alternative to begin forward. It was either postgraduate in microbiology or Masters in Business Administration. It does not matter what I opted for, the point is... this book became an anchor to hold me during those...

Image from Intenet Disclaimer- This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book.  “Her head was conserved in the Anatomy Museum in Paris until one day in 2000, it was stolen.”  When I heard this piece of evidence on one of the BBC programs, it steered me to browse about her.  The search led to this book. The book cannot compare to the events that transpired in her life, but I believe Paulo Coelho gave this woman a voice that was condemned by a rigorous community of her time. Published in 2016, "The Spy" is the real-life story of the historical figure Margaretha Gertrude Zelle, famously known as Mata Hari. The novel has been translated from Portuguese by Zoe Perry.  In this story, Coelho has used history, wrapped in the colorful cover of myth and fantasy. This book sympathizes with Mata Hari for her being one of the first women who became a martyr for...

The Fisher Queen's Dynasty    Image from Internet Disclaimer- This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book. Each human being is a story to be told. I recognize the writer of this book Ms. Kavita Kane solely because her unique stories uncover the lesser-known female personalities of Indian folklore. These women characters are strong but rarely received the expected light-of-fame. Kavita introduces them to her readers and lends them a prospect to determine their role in the tales widely read. This book renders the story of the first-part of Mahabharat through Satyavati's eyes. Abandoned at birth, shunned for her skin (Kali) and stench (Matsyagandha), jeered at for prizing ambition over love, this novel is about a lesser-known character of Mahabharat, Satyavati. Satyavati married Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur. She is named as a conniving witch for snatchin...

  Picture of book cover from internet Disclaimer- This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book . “People do act against their moral convictions and this is an unhappy fact about ourselves”. The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma tries to answer the frequent confronted questions- ●        Why be good when being bad is considered to be cool? ●        Why do bad habits shine over truthful acts? ●        Why believe in Dharma or Adharma of the act? ●        Is a "bad person" always bad? Does not the "good" occasionally become bad? ●        What’s the point of being a bigger person?? Gurcharan Das tries to find meaning to the word Dharma in this book through the Sanskrit epic Mah...

  Disclaimer - This book review is majorly a self-contemplation. The personalized meaning derived from the book vis-à-vis life experiences. The quotes are used directly from the book. Sri M, a Padma Bhushan award recipient, is the author of this “spiritual fiction” book. He is popularly known as a ‘practicing yogi’. His ‘otherworldly’ life journey and the story of ethereal awakening at Vyasa Cave is definitely worth going over ( a write-up for next time ).  Shunya A Novel- is set around a man who appears out of nowhere in a sleepy little neighborhood in suburban Kerala. He calls himself Shunya, the zero. He is a-man-of-no-religion. People start calling him –Saami. He settles into a small cottage in the backyard of the local toddy shop. Here he spins parables, blesses, curses, drinks endless glasses of black tea, and lives in total freedom. On rare occasions, he plays soul-stirring hymns on his old, bamboo-reed flute. The mysticism, magical realism, spirituality, ...