Bangalore Diaries

    ( Photo Courtesy : Amazon Kindle) Ikigai - meaning Making a life to be worthwhile. One of the highly recommended books, this book is an amazing collection of facts and data points from an involved research from specific regions of the world, where humans tend to live longer than the rest. To be more precise, it captures the essence of life of centenarians and their way of life. Is there something for us to learn and imbibe from these “young” elders? Okinawa region in Japan is known to have the largest concentration of people living beyond 100 years. The authors have travelled to this region and interviewed many residents to identify what is the secret of longevity - Which is where IKIGAI as a concept fits in. Simple daily practices with profound impact is explained in a very beautiful manner. For example “Hara Hachi Bhu” - Fill your belly upto 80% is one of the core tenets of the long life, which is supported by ensuring that food is served on small plates so that one eats...

      (Pic Courtesy: Amazon Kindle)   This book was recommended by a friend on “X”. When I started reading the book, I had jumped to some “observations”, but pretty quickly realised my folly. As the adage goes “Don’t judge the book by its initial pages”, this book was a beautiful pleasant surprise. A small town with its own ethos is the centre stage for an investigation of a girl. The travails of her mother, secrets buried in the past and her support system that also is part of the journey make for a beautiful opening. Detective Ethan Blake - Eccentric.. Maverick.. Wonderfully sketched character. I personally liked the characterisation of the Psychiatrist Dr. Joe and intertwining of paths between the missing girl and him. The flow is quite decently paced culminating in a wonderful crescendo that sets up the next instalment beautifully. My only peeve is that I need to wait for the second part, but that’s a good problem to have. For lovers of fiction, this is a wonderf...

  (Pic Courtesy : Amazon Kindle) Having met the author on a common interest forum, I stumbled on this book quite accidentally. By Two Coffee - The iconic identifier of Bengalurians is such an apt title for the book. The book is set in 80s Bangalore and details the experiences of a young girl called “Mala” and her experiences through various phases of the year and life in general. I felt the book is a more of a collection of memories from the pensieve of the author’s childhood. Red oxide floors, Cuticura Talc, Picnic to Lalbagh, Ganesha festival & customary house hopping, Naale Baa - All evoke rich memories for those born during those wonderful years in Bengaluru. Each one of these mini chapters will unlock a hidden sweet memory that is sure to evoke a drop of tear or two as one glances down the memory lane. The author has captured the essence of life in beautiful and eloquent manner that it provides a great insight into the lives and times of Bengaluru in 80s upto the millenniu...