BOOKS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK

Chirdeep Malhotra . Updated: 1/26/2021 6:02:06 PM Books and Authors

From a sci-fi thriller portraying strategic power play in world politics, to a unique read about an Indian’s first-hand impressions about Chinese culture, our book picks this week, curated by Chirdeep Malhotra

FICTION

“The Chronicler” by Jvalant Nalin Sampat

This book is an amazing amalgam of fact and fiction, and it perfectly portrays the strategic power play in world politics across international borders. Set in the immediate future, as Pakistan’s economy collapses; and China invades Pakistan, determined to change the power equation in the world, a strange series of events is set in motion. Somewhere along the western coast of India, a Pakistani yacht approaches, with the most unexpected passenger on board, with the most unusual request. Subsequently, the economic, political, and software capitals of India are targeted in a coordinated terrorist attack.
Caught in the vortex of this high-stakes game between governments, spy agencies, and powerful organizations across international borders, is one man. His designation is ‘the Chronicler’; he stores memories. When he is kidnapped, the memories that could transform the world map and history run the risk of falling into the wrong hands. Will the Chronicler be able to save himself and the information as he races against time? Cooked with suspense, action, drama, and sci-fi, this unputdownable thriller is a race against time, and readers will finish reading it before they can blink.



“The Red Diary” by Neelam Saxena Chandra

This book presents the story of a young lad Rihaan, who stays in an orphanage Ashiyana, desperately longing to find his parents, who, he is sure, exist in some part of the world. Ina, his best friend, is adopted by a family, and she leaves Ashiyana despite her wishes, since Rihaan expects her to. Later, Rihaan does find his blood-relatives, but not his parents.
When his aunt Arpita adopts him and he shifts to her place, he tries to find out more about his parents, but Arpita tells him that she will be telling him about them only after he is twenty-one. What’s the mystery behind his missing parents which Arpita has kept secretly hidden in “The Red Diary”? Also, will his quest to find the ever-elusive Ina end? What will happen to Shivi, who gives him company after Ina leaves Ashiyana? What will happen to the personal life of Arpita amidst these harsh realities of life? Read this book to find more.



MEMOIR

“12 Sweet & Sour Years in China” by Alok Joshi

This is a memoir about the experiential journey of an Indian in China over a period spanning over 12 years, starting shortly before the 2008 Beijing Olympics and ending just before COVID-19 outbreak became a pandemic. The author narrates his good and not-so-good experiences at work and in daily life through interestingly true anecdotes. The chapters are titled using dining terminology like Soup (early surprises), Appetizers (taste of Chinese companies), Recipe: Decoding the Dragon (related to Chinese culture), etc. This is the story of the author’s survival and adaptability in an unfamiliar environment where everything becomes a challenge; and his first-hand impressions about China and Chinese culture will leave the readers more informed, amused and surprised at the same time.



CHILDREN’S WRITING

“Fabulous Four Battle Zoozoo, The Wizard” by Rajesh Talwar

In this book, four children with unique abilities from different parts of the world come together to fight powerful, dark forces. When an evil wizard Zoozoo kidnaps Princess Samara’s parents, the king and queen of Nonamia; the princess journeys to the far corners of the world to meet and befriend three young people to help her plan and carry out the rescue of her parents. She meets Raja in Wetlands, Nandu in Hotlands, and Prince in Snowlands. With the help of Khabar, a magical bird, and Barado, the fastest horse in the world, the Four undertake the fearsome task of challenging Zoozoo and his army. But if they are to defeat Zoozoo, they will need to resort to magic and wizardry of their own.


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