By IANS,
New Delhi : The weekend book shelf is a mix of nostalgia, history, drama and good health.
1. “Broken Melodies”; Written by Gajra Kottary; Published by Harper-Collins India; Price: Rs.299
Niyati is a young curious girl full of hope and dreams. The process of growing up in a dysfunctional household is proving difficult. Her life is becoming a jigsaw puzzle. Her days are clouded by parental conflict and the presence of her cheeky neighbour Chandan riles her to no end, while the sight of her sister Nisha warms her heart at once.
Nisha, 10 years her elder, is Niyati’s touchstone for everything in life. Until a revelation jolts her to take charge of her own life.
2. “Banking Beyond Boundaries”; Written by Abhik Ray; Published by Penguin-Books India; Price: Rs.1,999
The State Bank of India, in its remarkable two centuries of existence, has introduced people, trade and industry to modern banking in the Indian subcontinent. Extensively researched and superbly illustrated, the book is the story of a bank, which, apart from being an abiding resource of the country’s economy, is also synonymous with banking in India. Founded in 1806 by the British Raj, it became the primary banker to the government of independent India in 1955. From then on the State Bank has set the pace for Indian banking.
3. “Is Wheat Killing You?: The Essential Cookbook and Guide to a Wheat-Free Life”; Written by Ishi Khosla; Published by Penguin-Books India; Price: Rs.399
The book will help not only the millions of people with gluten/wheat intolerance, also known as celiac disease, but all those who prefer to avoid wheat. With the alarming rise in the incidence of celiac disease, this book is a boon as it provides information on the disease and how to manage it without having to give up favourite foods. Most people with celiac disease who follow a gluten-free diet have a complete and rapid recovery. It is a complete guide to gluten-free living, based on scientifically established principles of healthy eating and includes essential facts about a balanced diet.
4. “501 Things You Dont Know About Master Blaster”; Written by Suvam Pal; Published by Harper-Collins India; Price: Rs.150
When he picks up the willow, cricket fans across the world hold their breath. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is not just a cricketer, but an inspirer of dreams, a statistician’s delight and a treat for a cricket connoisseur. This book delves into the life of the milestone man, both on and off the field, through quizzes and a slew of factoids and trivia about him. The questions encompass various phases of Sachin’s life and cricketing career and try to unravel the enigma that is the man. It gives a chance to his fans to test their knowledge about their idol from his childhood and his days as a prodigy. The book covers a wide spectrum of interesting information and lesser-known facts about India’s biggest sporting icon.
5. “I Want to Live: The Story of Madhubala”; Written by Khatija Akbar; Published by Hay House; Price: Rs.399
Madhubala – the very name conjures up vivid images of a love goddess possessing bewitching beauty, dazzling radiance, subtle sensuality, and, above all, a tantalising screen presence. Her ‘reel life’ histrionic performances held (and continue to hold) audiences entranced. Her talent was phenomenal, and she could literally glide through a movie, whatever be the role. Tragedy, romance, comedy, drama, and what have you – she could take everything in her stride, exquisitely and flawlessly, as convincingly proved by superhits such as “Mahal”, “Tarana”, “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” and the magnum opus, “Mughal-e-Azam”.
The author recounts her captivating saga, right from her first film – “Basant” (1942), as a child star, up to the magnificent “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and beyond. Enthralling cameos from her masterpieces such as “Mahal”, “Mr & Mrs 55” and “Amar” are depicted in graphic detail. Also, all the drama involved in her love affair with Dilip Kumar, which culminated in intense acrimony, has been poignantly portrayed.