Mysore Book Clubs Charitable Trust

One Point Two Billion

Mahesh Rao

Traversing thirteen Indian states, One Point Two Billion illuminates the exhilarating diversity of the second most populous nation in the world. Moving from towering megacity to remote detention camp, from the canals of rural Punjab to an exclusive club in Delhi, these remarkable stories offer glimpses into the loves, triumphs and tragedies of everyday life in a world torn between tradition and the shock of modernity. In a mesmerizing collection laced with biting humour, filled with danger and hope, these stories from the award-winning author of ‘Smoke is Rising’ portray the vast array of lives existing in the uneasy balance of Indian society.

Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi

Dr. R Balu

Power Within captures the civilizational wisdom of Bharat through the lived experience of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book delves into the fifty years of his public life and explores how he discovered his purpose, the seeds of which were sown in his formative years. Poignant anecdotes from his colleagues shed light on how his relentless hard work and communicative approach propelled him to the prime ministerial post. They also underscore his constant quest for self-discovery in the service of others. In a carefully crafted narrative, R. Balasubramaniam captures Modi’s leadership journey and interprets it through Western and Indic lenses, amalgamating them to provide a road map for those who aspire to a life of public service.

The Power of Yoga

Yamini Muthanna

The Power of Yoga explores the profound nature of yoga by demystifying ancient Sanskrit texts on the subject and a plethora of philosophies governing its practice and making them relevant to present times. While Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide us the roadmap to understand the way of this science, the 21 Yoga Sequences for modern lifestyle-related disorders elaborated upon in this book make it a valuable aid for the modern-day practitioner, more so since it is presented in simple language without diluting the authenticity of the techniques.

Seasoned for Family and Friends

Morvarid Fernandez

The aroma of baking bread, warm spicy apple pie or just plain fried eggs and crispy bacon, unpretentious food but are these some of your favourite recollections linked to home and hearth. In ‘Seasoned for Family and Friends’, and unusual and quirky recipe book, this is where the author takes you. You will be gifted with culinary hints, introduced to new and unusual ingredients from around the words, while the common and well known are in combinations that are quite different, resulting in some very delectable food. Written with warmth and sincerity, the author connects to the reader instantly. So walk into Morvarid’s kitchen anytime of the day, breakfast, lunch or dinner, and enjoy an assortment of delicious recipes to warm the heart.

Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story

Karan Thapar

In Devil's Advocate, Karan dives deep into his life to come up with many stories of warm and lasting friendships, such as with Benazir Bhutto, whom he met while he was an undergraduate. He also talks about his long association with Aung San Suu Kyi and Rajiv Gandhi. However, not all friendships lasted - for example, with L.K. Advani, with whom he shared a close bond until an unfortunate disagreement over an interview caused a falling-out. The tension generated during an interview has spilled over off-screen multiple times, and Karan discusses these incidents in detail. For instance, when Amitabh Bachchan lost his cool during a post-interview lunch or when Kapil Dev cried like a baby. And there's the untold story of two of his most controversial interviews - with Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi.

Savarkar: A Contested Legacy

Vikram Sampath

Decades after his death, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar continues to uniquely influence India's political scenario. An optimistic advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity in his treatise on the 1857 War of Independence, what was it that transformed him into a proponent of 'Hindutva'? A former president of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar was a severe critic of the Congress's appeasement politics. After Gandhi's murder, Savarkar was charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination. While he was acquitted by the court, Savarkar is still alleged to have played a role in Gandhi's assassination, a topic that is often discussed and debated.In this concluding volume of the Savarkar series, exploring a vast range of original archival documents from across India and outside it, in English and several Indian languages, historian Vikram Sampath brings to light the life and works of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of the most contentious political thinkers and leaders of the twentieth century.

Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum

Vikram Sampath

Over two centuries have passed since his death on 4 May 1799, yet Tipu Sultan’s contested legacy continues to perplex India and her contemporary politics. A fascinating and enigmatic figure in India’s military past, he remains a modern historian’s biggest puzzle as he simultaneously means different things to different people, depending on how one chooses to look at his life and its events. Meticulously researched, authoritative and unputdownable, Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760–1799) opens a window to the life and times of one of the most debated figures from India’s history.

Travel Tales and Close Encounters

Maithili Rao and Rinki Roy Bhattacharya

The journey is more important than its destination. A truism whatever the mode of travel. Trains, planes, cars, buses, bikes and on foot too. One may miss the destination, but can anyone forget the journey? This anthology brings together many journeys of so many people from various backgrounds. Memory may blur details. What remains is the experience...anticipation, the lingering taste of shared food and stories, chance encounters with eccentrics, mishaps and missing papers.

Rukmini Aunty and the R.K. Narayan Fan Club

Sita Bhaskar

Rukmini aunty’s newly built house in Mysore is near a dilapidated relic with its roof caved in, marring the view from her specially designed Zen-like meditation nook. She abhors the house that reeks of litigation and lawsuits and wants it gone, until she discovers that the house belonged to the illustrious writer, R.K. Narayan. It is close to being torn down brick by brick, when the city authorities step in and designate it as a Heritage building and stop the demolition. The fate of Narayan’s abode hangs between the builder’s scalpel and the limited coffers of the city, while they scramble for funds to buy it from his heirs at the prevailing market rate. Only Rukmini aunty and the ‘R.K. Narayan Fan Club’ ladies group in her neighbourhood can now save the house.

You Cannot Miss This Flight: Essays on Emerging India

Capt. Gopinath

Captain G.R. Gopinath is an unusual industry leader. Whether it was setting up Air Deccan to get train travellers in the air or jumping into the fray of Indian politics, Gopinath does not merely put his money where his mouth is - he takes his mouth to the scene of action. Unsurprisingly, he has been an active and provocative columnist over the years. Nothing is off the table for him, not business rivals, nor political bosses. He is honest about corruption, he is angry at the system, and he is a believer in the power of entrepreneurship. Gopinath's is a brave and important voice in Indian business and media. You Cannot Miss This Flight is a selection of his writings in the past decade and a bit. As thought-provoking as they are delightful, these essays capture the breadth of Captain Gopinath's interests and the depth of his commitment.

The Forbidden Quest of Mysore

Puneeth JH

Around 1500 a famous astrophysicist Yagnabhatta created an ancient enigma, Gandabaerunda. To protect it from falling into the wrong hands, the great King Krishna Devaraya hid it in Mysore. Ever since then, the chase behind it has never stopped.Back in 2017, there lived a self-claimed archaeologist, Amar. He loved an intellectual girl, Pooja. Like every other Indian love story, they too had hurdles. Pooja was elder, and her father was rich. Their families were of a different caste and spoke different languages. Yet they never stopped loving each other.Embrace into the city of palaces as Amar and Pooja go in search of an impossible mission. Can the couple overcome the trials to decode the hidden secrets of the King Raja Wodeyar III? Can they fight the prejudices of the Indian society to get married?

War: The Ugly Mistress

Dr. Latha Muthanna

This is a historical novel that explores the devastating impact of conflict through the eyes of a young girl named Angeline, whose carefree childhood in pre-Second World War Singapore is abruptly shattered by the brutal Japanese invasion. The narrative blends Angeline's personal struggle for survival with broader historical and journalistic accounts of global warfare, emphasizing how political decisions indiscriminately drag innocent civilians into destruction. Ultimately, the book serves as an impassioned plea against the horrors of war, framing it as a destructive force that robs ordinary people of their lives and peace.

Indian-American... Then Indian Again

Lakshmi Palecanda

It is the tale of an average Indian woman who emigrated to USA, and then returned to settle in India, 18 years later. Whether it is mistaking a cake doughnut for spicy vada, suffering sticker shock at the furniture store or watching the ‘tokey’ get its shot of spices, or being reintroduced to Indian bureaucracy, family gossip or the crazy traffic, this book is chock-full of real experiences.....Indian-American … then Indian again vividly portrays the incidents in the life of an average Indian-American. Waking up in the US for the first time, the first moments of pride and fear at home ownership, the inevitable trips back to the home country, the pain endured while grieving alone … these are unforgettable experiences faced by every immigrant to America, whether Indian or not.

Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras

Radhika Iyengar

Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. A place where life and death co-exist in the most unimaginable way. The Doms are a Dalit sub-caste in Banaras designated by tradition to perform the Hindu rite of cremation. Fire on the Ganges is the first attempt to chronicle the everyday realities of the Doms. It plunges into Banaras's historical past, while narrowing its lens to a few spirited characters from the Dom community. Through their tales of struggle and survival, loss and ambition, betrayal and love, it tells the at-times-heartbreaking, at-times-exhilarating story of a community struggling to find a place beyond that accorded to it by ancient tradition.

Sing Dance and Lead

Hindol Sengupta

An indispensable book for all leaders and professionals, Sing, Dance and Lead expertly combines ancient Indian philosophy and wisdom with modern management principles to deliver insightful lessons on life and leadership. It brings alive pioneering ideas of leadership from one of the most impactful spiritual leaders in history. Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON, known as the Hare Krishna movement, which has become a respected global organization. This book not only looks at his leadership in the light of existing theories and knowledge systems but also how his profound teachings went far beyond.

The Secrets We Keep

Divyata Rajaram

Four women, four lives teetering on the brink in Dubai, a city of glittering dreams and harsh realities. A year after tragedy and scandal shattered their world, the dust is far from settled. The return of Sakina, a disgraced friend back from exile, ignites a volatile chain reaction. Her presence forces Rupali, Anjali, and Naina to confront the tangled web of secrets that bind and fracture them. Can they rebuild what was lost, or will the shadows of that fateful year, define them forever? As hidden agendas and dangerous desires resurface, the friends are thrust into a treacherous current of love, ambition, and betrayal. Their meticulously crafted lives begin to crumble as they realize that the past is never truly buried and the most dangerous secrets are the ones they keep from themselves.

Sugarcoated Seasons: Baked With Love

Moksha Sharma

With the launch of Sugar-Coated Seasons, Chef Moksha Sharma creates a unique blend of sweet, seasonal and innovative recipes. She lifts the curtain on her kitchen, where she teaches how bakers at all levels of proficiency can make the best use out of beautiful, organic, seasonal fruits and ingredients to create new baked goodies. These mesmerizingly delicious desserts are guaranteed to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth!

From Reverie to Requiem

Subbaiah NM

Ever wondered what emerges when whimsy meets heartbreak—or when joy is shadowed by sorrow? From Reverie To Requiem, takes you through 22 unforgettable poems that navigate the full arc of human emotion. From playful moments with pets and eccentric characters, nostalgic familial love, oneness with the higher power, to the raw ache of grief, love and the sobering weight of reality - this collection is a vivid tapestry of light, darkness and imagination. Each poem captures a fleeting truth, a whispered thought, a memory that lingers. A collection not just to be read, but to be felt.

India and Her Futures

Gopalkrishna Gandhi

India and Her Futures is a collection of essays by one of India's most prolific public intellectuals, Gopalkrishna Gandhi.As a former public servant, diplomat and scholar, his contribution to thinking about South Asian and world history is a debt many owe him. Reflecting on a wide canvas, including India's culture, diversity and the richness of its literary and intellectual history, Gandhi has been a committed loyalist of the essay as a form of expression through decades of writing for news dailies and monthly magazines. These curated essays from his larger oeuvre have allowed him the precision of form to express the urgency and vitality of its varied subjects.

Every Peck a Rainbow

Kavita Rathna

Kavita is good at grasping what is ambiguous yet strong, personal yet cosmic, momentary yet eternal, local yet universal. A mixture of pangs of melancholy and stoicism. The experience of separation and lost connections is without attachment. The pathos does not lead to desperation or anxiety or helplessness or bitterness. It leads to experiencing, understanding, resolving and letting go. In such poems are whispers of insights and intimations of understanding.

Crimson Fall: A Ronny & Jo Mystery

Tara Dee

A search for a missing 26-year-old sends Aniruddha Jha and Joyita Roy-Ronny & Jo-into the underbelly of IT businesses in Washington, D.C., and the private lives of vulnerable Indian tech workers. With deception and lies at every turn, there's more than one disturbing reason for the young man's disappearance, and the stakes are raised with a deadly encounter on the Capital Beltway. Someone is out to terminate Ronny and Jo's search. CRIMSON FALL is the first book in the exciting new series: RONNY & JO MYSTERIES.

Jacarandas Are a Deep Shade of Blue

Johannes Manjrekar

This volume, selected and compiled by Nandini Manjrekar, exhibits what made Johannes Manjrekar one of India’s beloved haibun practitioners. The pieces collected here reveal Johannes’ mastery over the craft and his acute sense of observation, drawing from his love for photography.

On The Banks of The Cauvery

Lakshmi Palecanda

‘On the Banks of the Cauvery’ is a collection of richly emotional stories of people from India, specifically South India. The stories in this collection bring to vivid life the India of the nurse, the doctor, the construction worker, the house-maid, the homemaker, and such other real people. These are stories of strong and complex women and men living their lives circumscribed by their class, caste, social status and culture in ways that lays bare their true selves, be they absolutely honest or abjectly hypocritical. Of these stories, two have won The Sunday Herald Short Story Contest.

...And then I met Him

Shobha Dove

'And then I Met Him' is an eventful autobiographical account of a committed teacher and educationist who served in different parts of India. She rode the shaky moments of life with great uprightness, fortitude and integrity to her profession, finding opportunities to effect change in her realm whether it is in the northern terrain or southern woodland or in a metropolis. A passionate educationist paddling through adverse situations, shaken but not weakened, she firmly believes that there is nothing greater in life than being faithful to one’s calling. This simple narrative is an autobiography, adventure story, and the extraordinary saga of unrelenting courage.

The Maverick Maharaja

Deepti Navaratna

The Maverick Maharaja: The Life and Times of His Highness Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar by Dr. Deepti Navaratna is an intimate, paradox-filled biography that explores the multi-faceted genius of the last ruling Maharaja of Mysore. Instead of focusing solely on the politics of his crown, the book takes a unique "know-the-man-through-his-muse" approach to humanize the king. It documents how he remarkably straddled opposing worlds: he was a classical Carnatic music composer whose structures were influenced by Western symphony, an Advaita Vedanta scholar who engaged with Western philosophy, and a visionary political statesman who championed post-independence democracy, environmental conservation, and scientific advancements like aviation.

Of Bug, Bee and Beast

Devaki Panini

Of Bug, Bee and Beast: A book of poetry for young adults is a humorous poetry collection that shines a spotlight on often-overlooked creatures like insects, spiders, and lesser-known marine life rather than popular, larger wildlife. Written by an environmental lawyer, the poems use a witty and wry tone to draw clever parallels between animal behaviors and human eccentricities. Ultimately, the book serves as a creative plea for ecological empathy, highlighting how human actions and ambition threaten the fragile ecosystems of these tiny, essential creatures.

Musings of Life

Sqn. Ldr. Paridhei Singh (Retd.)

Musings of Life is a motivational poetry collection written in simple English to offer readers comfort, inspiration, and fresh perspectives on everyday experiences. Through reflective verses, the book explores the deep beauty of human emotions, resilience, and the life journeys we all share.

Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas

Mohan Ranga Rao

A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet. After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, retired Indian businessman Mohan Ranga Rao makes a vow: if he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarovar—a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure. With a blend of humor, honesty, and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Timeless Mahindra

Adil Jal Darukhanawala

Timeless Mahindra is a comprehensive, 332-page premium coffee table book that chronicles the definitive 75-year history of Mahindra & Mahindra from its humble steel-trading beginnings to becoming a global automotive powerhouse. Written by veteran Indian automotive journalist and historian Adil Jal Darukhanawala, the book traces the brand's iconic journey through the lens of Indian nation-building, post-WWII history, and cultural identity.

Kannaa Muchhe Kaade Goode

Preethi Nagraj

The book Kanna Muchhe... Kaade Goode… by Preethi Nagaraj is a highly acclaimed autobiography of the legendary Kannada theatre artist, singer, and actress Padma Shri Dr. B. Jayashree. Journalist and author Preethi Nagaraj collaborated closely with her to pen down and structure this life story.

Chandiranillada Irulugalu

Ravishankar Bale

"Chandiranillada Irulugalu" (literally meaning "Nights of the Moonless Sky") is a historical social thriller fiction book set in 16th-century South India during the Vijayanagara Empire era. It is written by N. S. Vishwanath and translated into Kannada by Ravishankar Bale (Ravi Bale).