Ekta | wisdomekta

  What makes this book especially meaningful to me is that it was written by one of the first mentors in my professional journey. He began as my boss and later became a true mentor, always guiding me in the right direction. Now, in retirement, he is sharing his dream of creating GEMs, and I sincerely hope this is the first book in what becomes a wonderful series. First things first—having worked closely with him, I can vouch that the ideas he presents in this book are not just theoretical; they are deeply rooted in his own life and practice. One of the greatest blessings of working with him has been witnessing the kind of person he is: genuinely good, deeply grounded, and quietly inspiring. He has firmed my belief that even in a world often touched by negativity and wickedness, the “good” always carries a natural aura of healing, positivity, success, and overflowing joy. Well-Being Zone: Living the Spirit of Gift and Return Gift is a thoughtful and accessible guide to life and spir...

This is my second read from the author after The Secret of Elephants  . The protagonist, Anna Kotze, finds a long-buried family secret discovered in the form of an engraved necklace, “Indira” — the same name she bears as her middle one. The revelation jolts Anna into action, sending her on a quest that stretches from Zimbabwe’s storm-dark skies to the rain-soaked streets of India. As Anna chases fragile clues across continents, the necklace becomes both compass and burden, guiding her into the hidden corners of her family’s past. With every answer she uncovers, new questions surface, forcing her to confront not only who her grandmother was, but what truths have been kept from her — and whether she’s ready to face the storms they’ll unleash. The read was ‘okay’ is really the most I can say about it. The story was not epic; the characters seemed less developed, but the description of the scenes gets 100% marks. For me, the bright cover page and a few of the diary entries were the hig...

  “Smart without being a smart ass. Talented without being boastful. Not afraid to roll up their sleeves and clean a floor or cook a meal.” To recover from the hangover of my last read, which was “cold” and “brutal,” I needed something “warm” and “light.” My Goodreads list never fails me, and this time it led me to a laugh-out-loud read with a wonderfully Hollywood-style charm. It was the kind of book anyone finish in one sitting. So, the story goes like this- Abbey thinks she is about to have the best day of her life — maybe even a proposal — but everything falls apart when her boyfriend tells her he has met someone else. As if that is not bad enough, she also loses her job. In a bold attempt to reinvent herself, Abbey spends her wedding savings on an apartment in the building she is always dreamed of living in and builds a new life, complete with a wardrobe to match. But keeping up the perfect new image gets complicated when her family invites her ex, who is still a close family ...

Kafka's writing is never dull. This is my second novel after    The Metamorphosis , but the grimness and nightmarish feeling still linger. After reading this one, I see a pattern in Kafka’s novels: the main character is introduced to an unusual situation, suffers, and then gradually meets his demise. “The Trial” is about a lone man, Josef K, a senior bank clerk who is arrested on his 30th birthday for an unspecified crime by unidentified authorities and due to faceless bureaucracy. Bizarrely, he is not jailed and is told he can go about his daily life as he navigates an incomprehensible, endless judicial process. The nature of the crime is never revealed to the reader or even to Joseph himself. Joseph progresses through various stages of confusion and paranoia, trying to understand his situation as he moves from one strange situation to another. Somewhere in the middle of the novel, I felt as if Josef K. is paranoid, and that he is not on trial at all. The novel presents a co...

  “Instead of dividing democracies from totalitarian regimes, a new Silicon Curtain may separate all humans from our unfathomable algorithmic overlords.” Thrilling, chilling and a shift-thinking book!! With his unique ability to unite both history and its grandest megatrends in a single view, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI is my next read. It took me longer to read because I kept rereading certain parts. This is not because the book is difficult, quite the opposite, but because I wanted to understand the author’s point of view and let it sink into my head. It is that kind of book which direct towards many futures depending on what kind of present steps we are venturing!! The book takes a holistic viewpoint, considering the history of communication, knowledge, human networks, inorganic networks, and, finally, computer politics. This broader lens makes the book especially powerful, because it shows that today’s technological revolution is part...

  “Everything is going to be fine. Just keep thinking that and keep looking forward.” A tale of family, 3 generations, one decision and a secret - this latest book was a perfect quick read. Thanks to Amazon Kindle for this suggestion! The author of the book, Vasundra Tailor, was born in India and raised in Zimbabwe, then called Rhodesia. She is a qualified pharmacist, and this is her first book. The Secret of Elephants is about a family torn apart by a shocking and secret event that occurs in 1950s India, and the uncovering of that secret in modern-day Zimbabwe. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, a young mother, Nirmala from Navsari, India, discovers a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father from Zimbabwe, opening a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible. “You know what bullies are like. The minute you show your fear, they bully you some more. Don’t ever let them smell your fear.” With themes of family, class, trag...

  “Yes, my dear Noora, and then, as you say, God is a river! All religions are like rivers, and they flow to the same sea.” The River That Remembers is yet another gem from amazing writer Mona Verma. This is my third read from the writer after Daivya Sutras and Lost and Found in Banaras . The book binds the lives of Yashveer, Mahua, Devika, Amy, Emma, and Noor against the backdrop of India’s struggle for freedom from the British Raj, culminating in the Partition of India in 1947. The story tactfully yet emotionally shows how history enters ordinary homes and changes everything. It is a novel about love, faith, family, loss, and the memories that remain long after violence has passed. At the heart of the novel is Mahua from Ghakkar Mandi, now eighty years old, frail, and drifting between past and present. Through her fading memories, the story slowly unfolds, revealing the emotional lives of those around her.  What stands out most for me after reading novel is - The painful t...

  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...

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...

  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...

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....