BOOKS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK

From a book simplifying Guru Nanak’s core spiritual message for the modern reader, to a biography of Kamala Harris, our book picks this week, curated by Chirdeep Malhotra

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

“A Gift of Grace: The Essence of Guru Nanak's Spirituality” by Daler Aashna Deol

This book simplifies Guru Nanak’s core spiritual message for the modern reader. Part I of the book enunciates the spiritual foundation of the guru’s worldview and his cardinal religious beliefs about the nature of God. Topics include bridging different stages of the spiritual journey, leading a virtuous life, living in harmony with the natural world, and developing compassion and helping others. Japji Sahib, which is the seminal text and the axis of Guru Nanak’s ecclesiastical legacy, is included in its entirety in Part II of the book. All meditations are presented in transliterated text, English translation, along with a brief commentary. Besides Japji Sahib, this book includes in Part III a representative selection of Guru Nanak’s hymns.



BIOGRAPHY

“Kamala's Way: An American Life” by Dan Morian

This is a revelatory biography of Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice-President of the USA, and charts how the daughter of two immigrants in segregated California became one of USA’s most effective power players.
Readers get to know about the start of her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, her work in San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, explores her audacious embrace of the then little-known Barack Obama, and shows the sharp elbows she deployed to make it to the US Senate. The author Dan Morian analyzes her failure as a presidential candidate and the behind-the-scenes campaign she waged to land the Vice President spot. This book is essential reading for all those curious about the woman standing by Joe Biden’s side.



FICTION

“Kintsugi: A Novel” by Anukrti Upadhyay

Set between Japan and Jaipur, this novel is about young women breaching boundaries, overcoming trauma, and challenging the social order; and about men surprised by women who are unconventional, unafraid and independent. It is the story of rebellious Meena, Yuri, Prakash, Haruko, of Hajime who is outsider to two cultures, and of Leela who is determined to break gender roles and learn the traditional gold-craft of her community. It follows the lives of these characters as they intersect and diverge, collide and break and join again in unexpected ways. Named after the ancient Japanese art of mending broken objects with gold – Kintsugi – this novel is profound, playful, emotionally moving, and gripping.



SELF HELP

“Breathe Believe Balance: A Guide to Self-discovery and Healing” by Shayamal Vallabhjee

One part memoir and one part guide to self-discovery, this book presents an intimate account of the lessons Shayamal Vallabhjee learnt while growing up during South Africa's apartheid era. He has popularized the concept of 'Balance' in India, and using his knowledge and experience from the worlds of science, spirituality, and psychology, Vallabhjee takes the readers through an introspective and self-healing journey. From living the life of a monk and travelling the globe with professional athletes, the author shares his experiences.
From understanding the importance of self-love to decoding the science of healthy relationships; from learning to be emotionally present in every conversation to engineering your environment for success, this book helps you take a deeper look at your life. Offering a scientific analysis of the human psyche and packed with useful questionnaires, this book is your guide to self-transformation and personal mastery.