From Deepa's Desk

April's Ambers by Durriya Sakarwala This book is based on prompts given for NaPoWriMo 2026 and is a collection of thirty poems for every day of April. The poems are soulful and soothing to read and are based on various topics such as silence, the concepts of birth and death, dreams, holding on and other aspects of life. Every poem reflects Durriya's sheer creativity and imagination that takes the reader on a sublime journey. Take for instance, the poem titled The Train Stops at Shamli. It begins with these soulful lines. 'In the hills, a library whispers calm, a cool breeze dances, butterflies swirl in song, among countless books, I find my way, the train stops at Shamli, where stories belong.' Then there is another beautiful poem titled Midnight Truths which has these soothing lines. 'Seeing light emerge from darkness, as hope appears, something bright after midnight's hush, my mind hums a lullaby, soft and plush. My heart gently pats, urging sweet sleep within...

The Dancing Monkey And Living The Way Of Zen by Serena Choo This book is a sequel to The Monkey and The Way Of Zen. In the first book, we come across a monkey who is searching for answers for the bigger questions of life. He is frustrated and mentally exhausted. In this state, he approaches a Master and lives under his guidance in a temple until the chaos in his mind somewhat silences. In the sequel, we find the monkey all set to leave the temple 'to find new places to dance, find rhythms he has never felt and see if he can dance not just in the temple but anywhere'. The monkey is no longer the frustrated version of his self that we came across in the first book. He has now changed into a lighter and freer being and calls himself as the Dancing Monkey. As the Dancing Monkey steps out of the temple for a new life and new adventures, he often comes across situations where he doubts whether he has really learnt anything at the temple. He meets people who, in their unique and inter...

When I started reading this book, I had a lot of ideas to write a good review. But now that I have finished reading it, my finger tips hover above the screen, searching for words that prove inadequate. What can you really write about a book that took you on an unforgettable and devotional roller-coaster ride?! Lord Jagannath has fascinated humankind since ages and this book brings him alive in a beautiful way. The book is divided into six parts, sharing narratives about the origin of the legend of the deity, the creation of the temple, the beautiful relationship between the three siblings - Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath, miracles and spiritual experiences of people, folk tales and tribal legends and finally the mystical experience of the Rath Yatra. Every part of the narrative resonates with faith and devotion. The author has presented the stories in such a way that every generation reading them will be able to relate to the stories. The narrative is calming and soothing to rea...

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura Available in Kindle edition During every cherry blossom festival, a bookshop magically manifests itself for people looking for solace and healing. The book shop is run by Sakura and her mystical kalico cat named Kobaku. Sakura chooses a book recommended by Kobaku to read and when she and a destined soul both read the same paragraph at the same time, that's when the soul is drawn towards the bookshop for an experience that will liberate them from whatever regrets they are suffering. The story is told over four seasons featuring four visitors. Each one visits the shop in each season and gets a closure from grief. The narrative is beautiful and poignant. There is grief but it has been portrayed beautifully, the usual way of Japanese literature that literally gives life to every emotion. Sakura's tryst with each visitor is heartwarming and delightful. The characters are beautifully etched and will be difficult to forget or get...

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood Available in Kindle edition Harriet is a retired teacher and runs a book club for imprisoned women. She visits the prison once a week and initiates discussions about the latest book read by the convicted women who never fail to amaze her with their sharp observation, strong opinions and underlying courage. Violet, a young girl in her early twenties gets released from the prison and faces the daunting task of starting life anew. Frank, a machinist tries to get his life back on track after losing his wife who was killed by Violet. These three lost souls meet and thus begins a poignant story of friendship, second chances and redemption. The book club discussions are extremely interesting. I liked how Harriet views the women as just readers without judging them for their crimes. I liked the dynamics shown between Harriet and Frank. The story has several emotional moments that make you pause and reflect. The narrative proceeds at a leisurely pace and is sup...

Buddha's story has been told and retold countless number of times. I had read The Light Of Asia and found it to be one of the best pieces of literature ever written. But this book? It is - different. More meditative. It brings the Buddha to life in front of you through short yet powerful tales of his journey from a prince to the greatest monk of his time. The stories have been presented from various PoVs - as a narrative by Channa, the man who had once carried Siddhartha on his shoulders, taught him to fight and had been his biggest cheerleader who had to watch the prince transform into a wandering ascetic right in front of his eyes; as a narrative by Kanthaka, Siddhartha's horse whom none else could tame and who would have followed his master to the end of the world if he had only asked; as a narrative by the river where Siddhartha, in his initial days as an ascetic, almost drowned but was carried away to the shore by the river's current... Many other PoVs by other charact...