#BookReview ; Awaken The Durga Within by Usha Narayanan

Awaken the Durga Within is a handy, easy-to-follow guide to help women assert themselves at home and work and reclaim their life. As women in a patriarchal country like India, they are often held back by family or society; and even education or employment does little to help improve their status. Bringing in lesser-known and exciting stories about goddesses from Hindu mythology, Awaken the Durga Within puts forward practical solutions that can be implemented immediately, without compromising on values and principles. These stories will help invoke the ‘Shakti’ within every woman so as to transform their minds and transcend their limits. The book helps her Identify the fears holding her back and discover a pithy, three-step process to take control of her life. She is guided on how to make choices that are right for her and experience the rewards. Now it's easy to discover the true spirit of feminism wherein women are given the same rights, power, and opportunities as men.

Awaken The Durga Within is a self help book by Usha Narayanan & published by Rupa Publication. The author had a successful career in advertising, radio & corporate communications before becoming a full-time author. When she is not travelling, writing or editing, she reads everything from thrillers to the Puranas. She has written several books. To know more about her visit www.ushanarayanan.com .

The book has been written in form of a guide where the author from the first chapter itself focuses on self worth and from there till the last chapter she takes us on a tour of empowering oneself & realizing the potential. She uses mythology as a pillar to support the basic point the chapter is supposed to convey. The step by step initiatives advised in the book are tailored for women irrespective of their age or marital status. Do indeed get this book to adopt a sure shot path to success,

I have read Usha Narayanan’s work before too but they’ve all been fictions around Indian mythology but in this book we get to see something new. I honestly don’t like self help books because they tend to be boring but the author here has amalgamated it with mythology making it enjoyable along with giving useful insights regarding several things. She talks about the three “C”s , Choice, Change & Create. She makes a strong case for women making their own decisions & only then be able to take over their lives for their betterment. A truly magnificently written book which one won’t be able to keep down without reading it all the way. The cover is beautiful, the title is appropriate & the language used is simple. Surely a must read.

#CoverReveal : Guardian Angel by Ruchi Singh

~ Cover Reveal ~

Guardian Angel by Ruchi Singh

The Man

Security expert Nikhil Mahajan is in mortal danger. Gravely injured and unable to see, he is in the midst of hostile strangers in an unknown place. Any hope of survival is fast fading away. 

The Angel

Should an innocent man be allowed to die just because he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time? Someone has to intervene.

About the Author:

Winner of TOI WriteIndia Season 1, Ruchi Singh is a novelist, and writes in two genres; romance and romantic thriller. A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is ‘romantic thriller’. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.

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#BookReview ; Ramayana Versus Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik

It is a popular belief that the Ramayana is idealistic, while the Mahabharata is realistic. Yet these two epics have identical building blocks, identical themes, and identical history. In this groundbreaking book, Devdutt Pattanaik, India’s most popular mythologist, explores the similarities and dissimilarities between the two epics in a ‘playful analaysis’ accompanied by his signature illustrations. Whether it is the family structure, forest exile, or war, the comparison between the two epics prove a startling point—the Mahabharata is in fact a reaction to the events in the Ramayana. Ideas in this book are distributed over 56 chapters. In temples ritual, Vishnu is offered 8 different meals daily, different on all seven days of the week—56 dishes in all. May each chapter serve as a mouthwatering offering to the Vishnu within you.

Ramayana Versus Mahabharata is the latest book by mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik & published by Rupa Publications. The author writes & lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has written over 700 articles in newspapers, and thirty books, which include bestsellers such as My Gita, My Hanuman Chalisa and Business Sutra: A Very Indian Approach to Management. His shows on television include Business Sutra & Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik. He lives in Mumbai.

In this book the author tries to draw parallels between the two epics Ramayana & Mahabharata, both equally popular & revered by Hindus. With their innumerous interpretations & retellings both the epics have passed the test of time. Keeping Karma & Dharma as the centre of both the epics, the author compares the two stories to find common links as well as dissimilarities. The book is divided in 8 parts & 56 chapters where each chapter has been dedicated to one similar aspect found in both the mythologies. Do get this book to read something you’ve never read before,

I have read both the epics multiple times & maybe at the back of my mind drew parallels too but never really gave it a thought, as I read this book I kept reminiscing about the time when I read the two. The author has achieved to cover a large part of both the stories in under 200 pages which is an accomplishment in itself. One major drawback of being a successful & talented author is that their works are going to be compared with their previous ones, hence this one surely feels short of the Devdutt magic which I have felt in his previous books. The language used is easy, the cover is beautiful as usual & the title is well suited too. Mythology enthusiasts shouldn’t miss this one.

#BookReview ; Kartikeya by Usha Narayanan

He was the son of the fierce Durga and the three-eyed Shiva. He was born, he lived, and would die if need be, for a divine purpose--to kill the Soul Stealer. Surapadma's reign of terror flourishes and the fate of all creatures--mortal and immortal--hangs in the balance. Shiva's son, Kartikeya, must destroy several formidable asuras before he can confront the Soul Stealer and salvage the dying, gasping universe. But Kartikeya, whisked away by mysterious forces to live amidst birds and beasts on a bleak mountainside, is ignorant of his destiny, and struggles to find his identity. Not even Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva come to his aid. He can win the final battle only if he can discern his enemy's weakness and his own inner strength. Will Shiva's son rise to the challenge before it is too late? The world waits with bated breath.

Kartikeya And His Battle With The Soul Stealer is a mythological fiction written by Usha Narayanan & published by Penguin India. The author had a successful career in advertising, radio & corporate communications before becoming a full-time author. When she is not travelling, writing or editing, she reads everything from thrillers to the Puranas.She has written several books. To know more about her visit www.ushanarayanan.com .

The story starts with the classic enmity between the gods & demons. The Asuras or demons  did everything they could to get a boon from the Trimurti. As always power corrupts & they start to torture people on Earth, their powers were so strong that even the gods feared them. Surapadma was one such fierce demon among them. On the other side a child is being nurtured by wild animals on a hill, despite all the care that he got from them he pines for someone like him. As his parents came for him, his true destiny is revealed. But will he be able to restore harmony on Earth & get rid of Surapadma? Get this book here to know,

Mythology has been one of my favorite genres & since I have read the author’s work before too, I knew that this book will surely be a recipe for a hit. I believe Kartikeya hasn’t really been explored well enough in mainstream literature yet but luckily this book breaks that charm. The author’s research into the topic is well showcased as it has been seamlessly incorporated into the story. I possibly can’t find anything to critique except a small thing that the pace could’ve been better. The language is simple, I love the cover & the title. Surely something one shouldn’t miss.