Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand
By Mahek Jangda
Hachette India; Rs 450
One way to describe Mahek Jangda’s novel Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand is ‘vivid and emotional’ in a way that belies the fact of it being a debut. Talking about fate and the lives of two women, Jasmine and Laila, the book takes the reader on a slow-paced but tumultuous journey. A lesson on fortune favouring one someday and not the next day, the lives of the two women get intertwined in a twist. Laila grows up to be politically inclined, always ready to help women and empower them. Jasmine believes that finding her lost father is the only way to bring peace and happiness to her family. However, Laila soon finds herself losing her agency while Jasmine’s search takes her to meet Laila. How the two women come together to stand for National Council and lift each other up, forms the crux of this tale.Female friendship is beautifully explored in this novel that faces men and patriarchy in all its glory in a political land that is replete with backward thoughts. Self-discovery that extends beyond finding validation of thoughts on social media forms an exciting pillar for the story to stand upon. Read it for its nuance of language and emotions that are often experienced but hardly articulated.
The Gopichand Factor
By Abhijeet Kulkarni
Westland Books; Rs 399
Two distinct events marked the beginning and arrival of India in the world of badminton on a global stage –– Prakash Padukone’s All England championship victory in 1980 and Pullela Gopichand’s win at the same competition in 2001. However, it took the country another decade before names like Saina Nehwal. P.V. Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, B. Sai Praneeth came and made their mark. Since 2011, there has been a medal in badminton every year at the same championship and Gopichand who is the coach of the Indian stalwarts has been silently carving a niche with his power and his academy in Hyderabad.
Written in simple language, Kulkarni has done a deep dive into the world of badminton and written a book that is investigative sports journalism. What led India to the Olympics? What led to the creation of this exclusive space? What role did Gopichand really play in this journey? Find answers to questions like these and if the world of sports intrigues you, this book is a peek into a world we only get to see glimpses of on television.
Bolly Geek: The Crazy Trivia Guide to Bollywood
By Diptakirti Chaudhuri
Hachette India; Rs 599
Did you know which book Sharmila Tagore was reading in that particular scene in Aradhana? Did you know Mithun Chakraborty has been called Shanker in 20 films from his repertoire? What password did Akshay Kumar use in his hacking attempts in Ajnabee? Bolly Geek is a mind-boggling book –– equal parts chaotic and joyous! For Bollywood aficionados, this book is a boon. With subheadings like “Jobs in Hindi cinema” to “12 birthday celebrations in Bollywood”, this book has a trivia for you in every sentence written in the 323 pages.
Speaking to quizzing enthusiasts and Bollywood lovers alike, the author delves deep into the world of Hindi cinema to reveal trends and ideas that are so familiar but never thought about. Often hilarious, this book makes for some of the most fun time we have had with a book in really long time. And we can already imagine the million quizzes one can form after having read this one. Find detailed illustrations, charts and maps that will regale you while you dive into it (How many characters have been found reading Tagore in Hindi films? Find a chart for it!) We love!
