Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind

Author: V.S. Ramachandran, Sandra Blakeslee
Genre: Non-Fiction


The complexities of the brain explained in a simple layman format. The examples are intriguing and the probable reasons extremely fascinating. Its a real gem of the book. 

One of my favourite lines in the book - Natural selection can only explain the emergence of actual abilities that are expressed by the organism - never potential ones.

The code of the Woosters

Writer: P. G. Wodehouse
Genre: Fiction

Bertie is invited to Totleigh Towers by Gussie to help save his engagement. His aunt Dahlia, meanwhile, wants him to pinch an antique cow-creamer from Sir Watkyn Bassett, the owner of Totleigh Tower. Can Bertie do all that is expected of him and much more? Well, with Jeeves help he does exactly that.

Parva

Author: S.L.Bhyrappa [English translation by K. Raghvendra Rao]
Genre: Fiction/Mythology


We have a perception of all the stories that were told to us. It takes a long time for us to develop our own perspective. Some never develop any!
Mahabharata, Ramayana, are such stories. They have been told/retold in a particular fashion and any deviation from the so called standards is never tolerated.
Well! This is changing off late. Many Indian writers are retelling the stories in their own way.

Parva is one such book that is a reinterpretation of the Mahabharata. Any attempt to explain it is a waste of energy. It’s a book that one should simply relish. With an open mind of course! The dedication and devotion of the author can be felt as one goes thru the pages reliving the various stories in this classic epic from the various protagonist's point of view. The detailing is amazing and so are the thoughts. They seem to connect instantly. The famous war which forms the climax of the book is explained in such practical terms that I was simply awestruck. Ever wondered how the soldiers who rush into each other identify who is friend and who is foe. I always had such questions which were never answered ;) Those small nagging thoughts I had at the back of mind were bought to the front and some explained in practical terms.

It's a huge book but every word is just as it should be :)

A Criminal Defense

Genre: Fiction
Writer: William L. Myers


Mick McFarland needs to defend his best friend, the super rich David Hanson in a murder trial. He has been a defense attorney so he knows all the tricks that the prodecutor will use against his client. Also, as the case progresses he realizes that too much is at stake. His relationship with his brother, his failing marriage, his practice all seem to be dependent on this case. Does he manage to win? And even if he wins will he win it on terms that keeps his life intact the way it was.

A very well written book, I especially liked the sub plot that deals with Mick and his brother.   

Gone Girl

Writer: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Fiction

Well for anyone who has not watched the motion picture of the same name, please read the book first. It's an out and out thriller but the coverage of characters is way better in the book. And that is always the case, after all a book gives you ample time to build on your characters and bring out the fine nuances of its characters in a  subtle way. OK! I admit, I am biased but I just love books. And I am saying this after watching the movie. Yeah I loved the movie but also realized that the book had to be definite;l better. So went back to the pages :)

Nick and Amy are about to celebrate their fifth anniversary when Amy goes missing. Nick becomes the prime suspect and he seems to be at a loss to prove his innocence until he realizes the person framing him is Amy.

A thriller that was well adapted into a movie but reading it slowly, absorbing the thoughts of Nick and Amy, especially Amy, is a reader's delight .

The Secret Of The Druids

Author: Christopher Doyle
Genre: Fiction


The third book in the  Mahabharata Trilogy. This seems to be a culmination point since this covers Mahabharata and links it prose to the megalithic sites of Britain to the Druids, Ceaser & Semiramis.
Its an awesome read and very very fast.

The Mahabharata Quest: The Alexander Secret

Author: Christopher Doyle
Genre: Fiction


The second book in the  Mahabharata Trilogy. Vijay and his team this time try to understand the real quest that Alexander was on which includes a bio terrorism angle. Again the confrontations are with the same unknown 'power' but by the end of the book its known that they are called the 'Order'.

The Mahabharata Secret

Author: Christopher Doyle
Genre: Fiction

The first book in the a trilogy, which I guess is called the Mahabharata Trilogy. It introduces us to the primary characters. Vijay and Colin come to India to attend Vijay's uncle funeral. But things go out of hand when they realize that his uncle was just a nuclear scientist but the keeper of a dangerous secret. The secret has been tightly kept right from the time Emperor Asoka discovered it.
So begins a quest to unravel the biggest find of the 21st century along with his childhood friend Radha, Radha's father, the linguist Mr. Shukla. IB officer, Imran Kidwai also gets pulled into the search.

Ever since Dan Brown introduced me to this genre of treasure hunting via our old and sometimes revered books, I enjoy anything thats written on this theme. This time its closer home and its a fast paced books with references to our mythology.

Strictly for fiction lovers, don't expect a classic. Just a fast paced treasure hunt.