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Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

Top 5 Non-Fiction Books to Buy - Part I | Amazon Prime Day Deals 2022

Priya Adivarekar

  Amazon Prime Day 2022 is all set to go live on July 23 and 24th. There are tons of good deals lined up and we can't wait to fill our carts. In this post, we have put together a list of bestselling 'Non-Fiction Books' - which can be purchased (or gifted) with some amazing discounts. Ready for it? Let's go!




Atomic Habits


Buy Here

Author: James Clear | Genre: Non-fiction (self development)

Original Price: Rs 452 | Prime Day Deal: Rs 337


The Psychology of Money


Buy Here

Author: Morgan Housel | Genre: Non-fiction (business and economics, self development)

Original Price: Rs 399 | Prime Day Deal: Rs 275


Ikigai



Buy Here

Author: Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles | Genre: Non-fiction (self development, discovery)

Original Price: Rs 550 | Prime Day Deal: Rs 268


Deep Work



Buy Here

Author: Cal Newport | Genre: Non-fiction (self help and development)

Original Price: Rs 399 | Prime Day Deal: Rs 272


Good Vibes Good Life



Buy Here

Author: Vex King | Genre: Non-fiction (self help and development)

Original Price: Rs 499 | Prime Day Deal: Rs 350


So, what are you excited to buy during the Prime Day sale? Stay tuned for more posts as part of this series - as we share some more big deals and recommendations!

Join the conversation on

Love,
The Dancebee

*This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, it may help us earn a commission. Thank you.

5 Books to Look Out for in 2021 (January to June)

Priya Adivarekar

 Here's wishing all our lovely readers and followers from across the globe a very happy and blessed new year. I hope and pray that 2021 brings in positivity, new opportunities, and happiness in your life. For my first post in a brand new year, I wanted to share a list of books that I am looking forward to reading in 2021, or should I rather say - the most anticipated titles that I am waiting to get my hands on in the year ahead. All of us can do with a good read, or two (maybe lots more for bibliophiles like some of us). 

So, get your wish-list ready and take notes:





Unfinished - A memoir 

Author: Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Launch Date: February 9, 2021



Of course, this one's for all the fans of our very own desi girl! While some bibliophiles might think otherwise, I - for one, strongly believe that a lot of entertainment aficionados are looking forward to this memoir, which promises to highlight some key aspects from the international icon's life. From her dual-continent twenty-year-long career as an actor and producer to her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, from losing her beloved father to cancer to marrying Nick Jonas; Chopra-Jonas' wants to inspire her fans and the younger generations with her personal story and experiences, with an aim to gather their courage, embrace their ambition and to work hard towards their dream.


Klara and the Sun

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro

Launch Date: March 2, 2021 



Acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel since the winning the Nobel Prize in 2017 - Klara and the Sun promises to introduce the readers to a technologically advanced world. A future packed with dystopian elements, and an insight into our rapidly changing world, through the eyes of an interesting narrator. The story focuses on Klara, an 'Artificial Friend' with outstanding observational qualities. Fans of Ishiguro are excited to experience his 'sci-fi' return, and have been patiently waiting for the launch.



First Person Singular Stories

Author: Haruki Murakami

Launch Date: April 6, 2021



A much anticipated collection of eight first-person short stories by best selling Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The stories span across various themes and experiences - from memories of youth, ardent love of baseball, to dreamlike scenarios and invented jazz albums; all with the signature Murakami twist. The collection aims to challenge the boundaries between our minds and the exterior world. However, it promises to pose an integral question. - Is it a memoir or fiction? Well, apparently - this is something the reader gets to decide.


Whereabouts

Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

Launch Date: April 27, 2021



Close to a decade post the release of acclaimed author Jhumpa Lahiri’s last novel The Lowland - we’ve got a brand new novel. Whereabouts focuses on a woman, who navigates the complexities of work, love and life. Shuffling between the need to belong and the refusal to form lasting ties, until one day, a day at the sea changes her perspective forever. It makes the reader ponder as to what ‘Transformation’ truly means. Brimming with the impulse to cross barriers; this would be Lahiri’s first novel to be written in Italian, and translated into English. We are quite excited already!


Great Circle

Author: Maggie Shipstead

Launch Date: May 4, 2021



Set during the Prohibition-era Montana, and spanning across the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New Zealand, wartime London, and modern-day Los Angeles - author Maggie Shipstead’s Great Circle moves across decades, with daredevil female protagonists (living in different times) at the centre. The women, both ambitious and destined to determine their own futures, are determined to chart their own course in life, at any cost. This would be Shipstead’s third novel, which took about two years to write, as it took a lot of research and traveling for the author to put together the novel.


So, which book are you excited to read? Any titles outside of this list that are you looking forward to reading this year?


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Love,

The Dancebee

7 Must Read Books For Every Girl Boss

Priya Adivarekar
First of all, sorry for being MIA. I was traveling all of last week with little or no network (with the exception of hotel wi-fi, which was mainly used for regular social media updates). However, it's good to be back with many more new stories. And what better than talking about books, eh? Bibliophiles are often heard saying, "So many books, so little time." That's true, because the number of books that topped my list since the beginning of this year is nowhere close to the actual number I have finished reading (I am still trying, alright). There is so much to learn from every book out there. Titles from various genres can teach you anything, from understanding relationships to food and even nature.



However, off late, I am veering towards a lot of biographies and business books. The market is filled with way too many books by successful business personalities. Be it a tale of rag to riches or simply a basic understanding of their business model, it's tough to choose. Luckily, I came across some titles that were packed with the right blend of knowledge, relatable experiences, anecdotes and examples that helped me in my everyday hustle. I was hooked on, and now, I am hoping some of you bibliophiles out there, who have been looking for similar books, get addicted too.

Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead


Sheryl Sandberg joined Facebook as the Chief Operating Officer in 2008. A Harvard Business School graduate, Sandberg has been ranked as one of the Top 50 most powerful women in business by Fortune magazine. Her book - Lean In, brilliantly discusses business, development, equality for women at work among others, with personal anecdotes and great details. The book serves as an excellent read for those who want to work hard and achieve their professional goals.

Price: Rs 419



Leave Your Mark: Land your dream job. Kill it in your career. Rock social media


From building a personal brand to starting out in an industry where you have no experience; if you are looking for insights or tips on any of these or more, look no further! Aliza Licht's Leave Your Mark is the perfect buy for anyone who needs a mentor (and some inspiration). Licht, a fashion industry veteran (remember the DKNY PR Girl?), also discusses career steps and insights from her own professional life in this interesting book.

Price: Rs 339

Girl Code


This book is your special code to empowerment, as it wonderfully encourages women to work together, and not against one another. It's a simple book, packed with powerful words of wisdom and advice. Author Cara Alwill Leyba discusses ideas that are backed by her own personal experiences. Girl Code also includes some wonderful experiences of several other successful women (in the form of interviews).

Price: Rs 374

Werk 101


The perfect 'werkbook' that not just discusses ambitions, but also focuses on the importance of good health, fitness and wealth management. While working hard and chasing dreams, we often neglect the basic necessities that keep us going. Through this book, Koereyelle also encourages women to work for what they want, by first working on themselves. This guide pushes you to get your life together and hustle! A must have, for sure.

Price: $25

She Walks, She Leads

There is no better idol in life than women of worth, who broke barriers and worked hard to be where they are today. Their stories of success serve as the perfect tool for motivation. In this book, author Gunjan Jain presents an inspiring account of 24 women achievers, documenting their struggles and rise to the top. From fighting patriarchal values to losing jobs and loan refusals due to one's gender; these are real stories, where women fought against all odds to make their dream a reality.

Price: Rs 414

Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch 


It takes a lot of guts to build a business from scratch, especially without any resources or contacts. It is certainly not for those who like being in a comfort zone and find solace in seeing a fixed amount of salary being transferred in their account every month (Ask me. I have been through this 'big shift'!) Miss Jessie's... is a brilliant blend of a memoir and business book, with apt advice and interesting anecdotes in every chapter. For anyone who aspires to be an entrepreneur, this one's for you.

Price: Rs 506

How to be a Bawse


Superwoman aka Lilly Singh's journey has inspired thousands of millennials across the globe. From humble beginnings on her own YouTube channel to becoming an internet sensation, doing a world tour, bagging a role in HBO's adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 and finally, writing a book; there is no stopping this girl. Singh talks about conquering life and taking charge for good. Like she says - "You are never too good to stop investing in yourself." Love how the book doesn't try to be super preachy. It serves motivation topped with humour, which Singh is well known for. It's an easy, inspiring read for anyone who needs a 'push' to get their act together ASAP.

Price: Rs 503


Now that you have got a bunch of books on your list, which one will you read first?
Let us know by adding a comment below or join the conversation on

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Love,
The Dancebee

From My Kitchen to Yours - Maria Goretti | Book Review

Abraham Maslow, a humanist psychologist, came up with some pretty awesome things back in the day; some of which I use as daily jargon. His hierarchy of needs (imagine a Food Pyramid), listed exactly what the title says, things you NEED. Like in a food pyramid, the bottom level contains your most important food groups like bread, cereal and rice, Maslow’s pyramid includes physiological needs. I will skip to my favourite physiological need: the need to be fed! Maria Goretti, popular ex-MTV VJ, popular food YouTuber and wife of our favourite Circuit aka Arshad Warsi, has made sure that our most important need is taken for through her new book, “From My Kitchen to Yours”.

I have to admit, I love cooking. So when our editor, Priya, asked me to review this book, my first thought was, “Yaaaaaaaas! New recipies!.” Having said that, Goretti’s book did not excite me much after I went through the listed recipes. What I did love was the narrative that came with the recipes. Goretti is, clearly, a storyteller and the tiny pieces of life she presents before each month is what I enjoyed. She clearly has an eye for simplicity. This was reflected in her recipes and well as her layouts and designs. The subtle colours, adorable mason jars and tiny hearts that were sprinkled across the book really do make it a great look through.

I did venture into my kitchen to put together some of the recipes. The soups were my favourites: the palak soup and the potato and leek soup have made it into my daily diet. The grilled zucchini stuffed with arrabbiata pasta was another favourite along with the chicken breast in coconut cream. I do wish she had some more “fun” desserts but, I think, her simplicity is her superpower. Also, she has spent a lot of time balancing the flavours and that really makes the food sooo good! I cannot stress enough on the design and the photography of the book, it just made me super hungry (actually, I am hungry just thinking about it all!).

With the holiday season around the corner, Goretti’s book makes for a great present. And here’s wishing Goretti lots of success in all her endeavours. Maybe next time, she could take a step back, and focus on just some stories.

Book: From my Kitchen to yours: Food, love & other ingredients
Author: Maria Goretti
Publisher: Om Books International
Price: Rs 995

Have you read this book?
Ioin the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar and let us know what you think

Top 5 books by Indian writers in English

Priya Adivarekar
My bookshelf is filled with several books by Indian authors. Though not everyone may like the kind of books I love to read, I have tried to create a list that includes books that are my favourite and are also well known titles. So, here's presenting my list of Top 5 books by Indian authors you must buy and read! (in no particular order).


Do not judge this book by those 1500 odd pages. A suitable boy is one of the best books that I have read so far. As the title suggests, the central theme of the story is a mother's hunt to find a suitable boy for her daughter. Set in India during the early 1950's, fresh after partition, it provides a window into the culture & history of India during that time. The opening section of the novel itself attracted me towards it. I couldn't stop reading till I finished the last page of the book. As I finished reading the book, I just felt -  "Wish it could just go on forever." Yes, the book is worth Rs 799, but it is worth every penny. The author is a pure genius. His book "An Equal music" is next on my wish list now!

2. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie


 This one earned Salman Rushdie a Booker prize in 1981 and also the Booker of Bookers prize in 1993. Midnight's Children was the 2nd novel written by Rushdie. It's the story of Saleem Sinai whose life is destined to follow the ebb and flow of India’s own fortunes. He is telepathically linked to the other children born in the first hour of India’s independence, all of whom have their own gifts.
The book is definitely a must read. But its strictly for those who can accept the writer's imagination. A must buy!




One of my favorite authors, Amitav Ghosh, penned one of my favorite books from the Ibis trilogy. The rave reviews received by this book urged me to buy it and well, it turned out to be one of the most amazing novels I have read till date. It is a contemporary story. The main characters in this novel are Piyali Roy, a young marine biologist and Kanai Dutt who is a businessman from Delhi. The novel explores humanism & environmentalism in an interesting way, Specially when they come in conflict against each other.The Morichjhanpi  massacre incident of 1978-79, when the government of West Bengal forcibly evicted thousands of Bengali refugees who had settled on the island, forms a background in some parts of the novel. Amitav Ghosh's style of writing is splendid. His stories always travel throughout time and space. His writing has an asymmetrical flow. I also love the mixture of fact and fiction in his writings. Oh well, I won't give out all the details so soon. So I suggest you go out and buy this book. Amitav Ghosh has touched upon a lot of social issues in this novel. Other books by Amitav Ghosh that you must read include - The Ibis trilogy (Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke), The Glass Palace.



I have always wanted to explore author Sudha Murthy's work. She has written many novels and I have read 3 of them. But personally, I really liked Mahashweta. This fabulous piece of work is so emotional. The novel was first written in Marathi by Dr. Sumati Kshetramade, and was also adapted into a TV series. Later,Mrs Murthy wrote the book in Kannada, which dealt with the same theme. I was awestruck by the character of the protagonist, who goes through major ups and downs in life due to Leukoderma, which is treated in India as a curse. Although the book looks simple with little pages (when compared to books like A suitable boy or The Hungry tide), the impact of this book is big! It took me just 4 hours to finish this book, but the story has left a long lasting effect on my mind and heart. It is definitely a book lovers delight. Also read Sudha Murthy's "Gently falls the Bakula", which is also very well written!



The Great Indian Novel is a Satire. A fictional work that takes the story of the epic, Mahabharata, and recasts as well as resets it in the context of the Indian Independence movement. The novel has 18 books within the book (very similar to the Mahabharata).The author very cleverly begins the story with Mahabharta as reference and then juxtaposes our prominent freedom fighters and leaders in his story (Characters like Ved vyas, Amba, Pandu in Mahabharata are referred to as C.Rajgopalachari, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Subhash Chandra Bose respectively).The main protagonist of this novel is Bhishma Gangaji, a combination of Mahabharata’s Bhishma Pitamah and the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi.What surprised me the most is Tharoor's narration and the concept of the novel. It is so fascinating! Books like The Great Indian Novel teach us that our Mythological stories are so versatile, that they can be retold in 100 different ways and yet, each adaptation will sound different from the other. These stories can continue to entertain us for centuries to come. A must read for those who love to experiment (Ahem, This one is an award winning book, So read it anyway. You can't afford to miss it).

Note: There are many other books that feature on my "Must Read" list of books, which maybe better than the ones that feature on my list right now. They maybe updated in another list.

I could well have written a TOP 10 list. But, in order to help those who still need some recommendations, here are some more books that you must read:

- Moving On by Shashi Deshpande
- Raavan and Eddie by Kiran Nagarkar
- Rudaali by Mahashweta Devi
- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh


So now that you've got a whole lot of reading to do, go ahead and dive into an ocean full of books.
Happy Reading!!

Love,
The Dancebee
ÙŽAuthor Image

Priya Adivarekar

Priya Adivarekar - Founder and Creative Director at Diary of a Dancebee. She is also a renowned Voice Actress and award winning artiste, with serious passion for dance. When not working round the clock, she can be seen reading, enjoying a movie-binge or listening to music.
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