Shantesh Patil

The illustrations are magical and the little snippets from the past are the icing on the cake

A lesson in leadership that reads like a corporate thriller. Finished this in one sitting.

A beautiful insight into a culture and people I never had the chance to understand before this

This is such a timeless book. Set in the 70s and the 90s , it is a riveting insight into my country's culture, around the time I was born but was too young to truly comprehend. It's also quite funny at times and has certainly inspired me to take a deeper interest in my own culture

This is a dazzling collection of true stories, that I felt actually let me understand the core nature of my own people in a new light

While there were bits of it I did enjoy. I think the audiobook version despite the excellent narration actually detracted from the enjoyment I could have derived from the story

This is more of an art book than a book but I always knew that going in. The images are absolutely striking in their depictions of the world described here. They literally leapt off the page so many times. Highly recommend for art lovers and scifi fans

Such a well researched and wonderfully written biography of one of India's most influential rulers. The extraordinary lengths to which Akbar went to harmonize the diverse people of the country is quite remarkable. While we are a modern country by many standards I couldn't help but feel we have also lost something that we had almost 500 years ago. A greater sense of unity.

Reading this book at a time like this is really heartening. Makes you yearn for just one train journey. Made me realise that even before the covid crisis I have never taken a long distance train journey for almost 20 years. Thank you Monisha for letting me live through a train journey vicariously through this beautiful book.

I rarely read non-fiction. This one was recommended to me by a stranger. I loved it. It's a practical and easy to read book. Most importantly there were lessons that were immediately actionable

Light reading to sooth your soul

Not all of the stories worked for me but overall a well-written thought-provoking collection

The translation could have been a little better. But overall fantastic storytelling

Though this book is most certainly for kids it was something incredibly unique. I can see this being a book I have to get my son to read when he is older. If only math and language could be part of a story learning could have been so much more fun

It's pretty amazing how forward thinking Tagore's thoughts were for something he wrote more than a century ago. It also a little sad to when you realise that the problems he predicted so long ago continue to plague us even today

I have always loved Ruskin Bond's stories ever since I read his very first one that had appeared in one of my school books. His love for nature always came through. At the same time I was always intrigued about what he was as person. The magic of Ruskin's writing for me was always its simplicity, charm and ability to transport you to the very time and place he is talking about. A British man who gave up his easy chance of settling down in a first world country yet choosing to come back to India intentionally is a real revelation. Reading his autobiography felt like I was sitting across from him while he regaled me with tales of his entire life.

Though it may be a book that will appeal a bit more to car enthusiasts it's something that everyone should try read. One of the funniest books I have read in a while. Not for the easily offended though. It's also a nice insight into various aspects of Britain from more than a decade ago

The life of an untouchable in pre Independence India laid bare.

Short, easy and relaxing read. Classic Bond

A rare book that is very to get your hands on. Found this quite by chance at the second hand book store at the Prithvi Theater in Mumbai

Must read. Some great stories and a lot of reality checks if you have been in the industry for a while.

Fasntastic, fast paced book that I simply couldn't put down once I got started.

There is something about her writing that makes even the ordinary details of people's occasionally mundane lives seem so fascinating.

A smart thriller that fortunately doesn't get too bogged down in the scientific details of why. Once the base has been established it runs with it and focuses on the emotional fallout.

Loved every bit of it. Having visited Kashmir just a couple of months ago made reading this book even more special. It's a book both brutal and funny in equal measure.