Top Book Extracts News- IBNLive.com

Story behind how Gujaratis do business

Thu, 30 May 2013 01:03:03 +0530

Shobha Bondre's book 'Dhandha' showcases the powerful ambition, capacity for hard work, and the inherent business sense of the Gujaratis.

Excerpt: What goes on behind the gentleman's game

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:04:45 +0530

Here comes a heady cocktail of raw ambition, unwavering ideals, vengeful betrayal, consuming love, and notorious scandals.

15 keys to happiness from the world's happiest nation

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:14:26 +0530

Here are 15 keys to happiness from Bhutan, a country where Gross National Happiness is considered more important than Gross Domestic Product.

Extract: Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:48:31 +0530

Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times is a definitive biography of a man who may have challenged the basic principles of a sovereign secular nation but emerged as an undisputed and larger-than-life leader.

Bihar Breakthrough: The turnaround of a beleaguered state

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:37:08 +0530

This book holds important lessons for governments, organizations and policy watchers worldwide.

Excerpt: 'Cell Phone Nation'

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:38:28 +0530

Robin Jeffrey and Assa Doron's book analyses how mobile phones have revolutionised business, politics and ordinary life in India.

Excerpt: The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 05:17:09 +0530

Kareena says, "I trusted Yash Raj and when Adi Chopra said I needed to wear a bikini in 'Tashan', I didn't argue."

Rajinikanth: The humble coolie who went on to become the God of the silver screen

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:41:03 +0530

For his fans, Rajinikanth is God, and for the world, he is a cultural phenomenon transcending the trappings of a mere movie star.

Extract: Love Story # 1 to 14 by Annie Zaidi

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:30:24 +0530

Annie Zaidi's stories are at once warm and distant, violent and gentle - and, above all, untroubled by cynicism. This is a look at love, straight in the eye, to understand the alluring nature of the beast.

Excerpt: 'In Good Faith' by Saba Naqvi

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:20:36 +0530

In an age when the idea of religious community is determined by stereotypes and old fault lines, Saba Naqvi takes a journey across the country in search of her own identity among people, communities and shrines that challenge our pre-determined notions of what makes a Muslim or a Hindu.

Excerpt: The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 05:05:12 +0530

With both humour and pathos, The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic gives readers an overview of contemporary Bollywood not attempted so far.

Excerpt: A Song for I by Chandrima Pal

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:16:52 +0530

A Song for I is about love lost and found, spiritual music and sensual experiences, of epiphanies in the Himalayas, and relationships.

Excerpt: The Youngest Suspect by Peggy Mohan

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 03:28:29 +0530

A courtroom thriller and a love story, and a vivid portrait of family and friends ranged against the darkness that is clouding their once-ordinary lives, The Youngest Suspect lays bare the underbelly of a world where 'home' has very little meaning.

Excerpt: Lord of Mathura by Ashok Banker

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:26:35 +0530

Lord of Mathura is the fourth book of the Krishna Coriolis Series.

Excerpt: Who Let The Dork Out by Sidin Vadukut

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:34:40 +0530

'Who Let The Dork Out' is the third part of the Dork trilogy. The earlier two books are, Dork and God Save The Dork.

Extract: It Takes a Murder by Anu Kumar

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 03:29:54 +0530

It Takes a Murder is a darkly lyrical and slyly ambiguous account of love, loss and fury.

Excerpt: Boats on Land: A Collection of Short Stories

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:29:49 +0530

Boats on Land looks at India's northeast 'uniquely' and its people against a larger historical canvas.

Book Extract: Chittagong Summer of 1930, Part 1

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 01:06:36 +0530

Chittagong: Summer of 1930, Part 1 brings to life the famous Chittagong Armoury Raid, led by Bengali revolutionary Surya Sen.

Extract: Just Married, Please Excuse

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:19:24 +0530

Just Married, Please Excuse by Yashodhara Lal is a fresh and honest take on marriage and parenthood.

Extract: Jihad or Ijtihad by Irfan Habib

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 06:17:29 +0530

In this book, renowned historian and scholar S. Irfan Habib takes it upon himself to trace the trajectory of 'mainstream' Islam's questioning of modern science.

Book extract: Yours Sarcastically by Sandeep Das

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:35:53 +0530

Written by Sandeep Das 'Yours Sarcastically' is a 'not-so-diplomatic' take on the life of a 20-something person in contemporary India.

Book extract: Toke by Jugal Mody

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:48:10 +0530

Toke revolves around protagonist Nikhil, who has has 72 hours or maybe less to save the world.

Excerpt: Maharani by Ruskin Bond

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:06:20 +0530

Melancholic, wry and full of charm, Maharani is a novella about love, death and friendship by Ruskin Bond.

Read 'Life and Times of AK Hangal', his autobiography

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 05:21:12 +0530

AK Hangal died at the age of 95 in Mumbai on August 26, 2012. Read excerpts from his autobiography here.

Excerpt: Jack is Back in Corporate Carnival

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:06:05 +0530

PG Bhaskar is a private banker. He left India for Dubai in 1992 and what with one thing and the other, stayed put, watching the city grow.

Excerpt: Land of the Well by Sampurna Chattarji

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 06:16:32 +0530

Sampurna Chattarji's book walks the line between reality and delusion, between treachery and trust.

Excerpt: Booker long-listed Narcopolis' prologue

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:43:40 +0530

Thayil's book selected for the long-list is titled 'Narcopolis,' the novel starts with a prologue that is one six and half page run-on sentence.

Book extract: Sex, sweat & Sharon Stone

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 10:42:15 +0530

Author Jhoomur Bose's book' 'Confessionally Yours' revolves around protagonist Polly.

Excerpt: Bombay Girl by Kavita Daswani

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:32:40 +0530

'Bombay Girl' is the first installment of Kavita Daswani's trilogy about a girl named Sohana Badshah.

'Kitnay Aadmi Thay...' of Bollywood's 'useless' trivia

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 02:24:55 +0530

If Bollywood questions keep you awake at nights, 'Kitnay Aadmi Thay? - Completely Useless Bollywood Trivia' authored by Diptakirti Chaudhuri is what you want to read.

Chennaivaasi about a Tam-Brahm boy & a Jewish girl

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 06:41:36 +0530

Authored by TS Tirumurti 'Chennaivaasi' is set in the heart of Chennai, the book is a story of a father who disowns his son for going against their traditions.

Excerpt: Shashi Tharoor on India and the world

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:26:04 +0530

Shashi Tharoor surveys India's major international relationships in his book 'Pax Indica'.

Soon, a book on Saina Nehwal's inspirational story

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 01:54:34 +0530

TS Sudhir's book, 'Saina Nehwal: An Inspirational Biography', is an account of her rise as a champion.

The Bogoli Phut Days: Adventures in Assam

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:33:13 +0530

Written by Tara Goswami the book is about seven-year-old Pitki's adventures in Assam.

'Bhiwani Junction,' the untold story of boxing

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:42:47 +0530

Shamya Dasgupta has authored 'Bhiwani Junction,' a meandering history of boxing in India.

'The Hot Unconscious,' of travels across India

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:35:11 +0530

'The Hot Unconscious' by Charles Foster, is a book about the noise and the echoing silence of India.

'How I Braved Anu Aunty,' for young entrepreneurs

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 07:25:13 +0530

'How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-founded a Million Dollar Company' by Varun Agarwal is an filled with nuggets of everyday wisdom.

Stories of people with big dreams for Dharavi

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:53:24 +0530

Written by Rashmi Bansal, Deepak Gandhi and Dee Gandhi 'Poor Little Rich Slum' is book with stories of little people who make up the big idea of Dharavi.

'Pundits from Pakistan,' of cricket and its greats

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:09:19 +0530

An excerpt from Rahul Bhattacharya's cricket classic 'Pundits from Pakistan'.

'Mother Maiden Mistress,' a book on women in hindi cinema

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 01:17:12 +0530

Authors Bhawana Somaaya, Jigna Kothari and Supriya Madangarli sift through six decades of history, bringing to life the women that peopled cinema and the popular imagination, and shaped fashion and culture.

'Dongri to Dubai,' the rise of Dawood Ibrahim

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 04:12:05 +0530

The cinematic adaptation of S Hussain Zaidi's is reportedly 'Shootout At Wadala' by Sanjay Gupta.

'Beautiful Country,' stories from Assam, Meghalaya

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 01:58:07 +0530

Authors Gunjan Veda and Syeda Saiyidain Hameed's book 'Beautiful Country' is a journey towards understanding India.

Book extract: 'The Peacemakers' by Manu Bhagavan

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:54:55 +0530

Here is an extract from Manu Bhagavan's new book, 'The Peacemakers'.

'Highway 39' about complexities in North East India

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:06:46 +0530

Sudeep Chakravarti's latest book gives a detail account of the socio-political complexities and ethnic divisions prevalent in the North East.

Great Gatsby book excerpt: Amitabh's character

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:09:01 +0530

Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Meyer Wolfshiem in Buz Luhrman's film of F Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, 'The Great Gatsby'. Who was Meyer Wolfshiem, really? Here are the two excerpts from the novel in which Wolfshiem appears.

Extract: The Householder by Amitabha Bagchi

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:22:18 +0530

Amitabha Bagchi has knit a plot about Indian bureaucracy, corruption and redemption in his new work, 'The Householder'.

Extract: 'The Source - A Manual of Everyday Magic'

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:22:20 +0530

Ursula James is a premier hypnotherapy practitioner and teacher in the UK and has written extensively on related subjects. 'The Source' is her latest work.

Extract: 'Black Bread White Beer' by Niven Govinden

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:20:23 +0530

'Black Bread White Beer' casts a critical eye on a society in which, despite never-ending advances in social media communications, the young still find it difficult to communicate.

Excerpt: The Edge of Desire by Tuhin Sinha

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:38:05 +0530

Tuhin A Sinha is an author, scriptwriter and columnist based in Mumbai. Tuhin is best known for his novels, 'Of Love And Politics', 'That Thing Called Love' and '22 Yards'.

Excerpt: Business Etiquette by Shital Mehra

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:20:50 +0530

Shital Kakkar Mehra is one of the most experienced practitioners of corporate etiquette and international protocol in India.

Extract: Between Clay and Dust by Musharraf Ali Farooqi

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:12:26 +0530

While the world continues to raise a toast to contemporary Pakistani authors, the latest author to enter the literary marathon is a genius of sorts who translates Urdu tomes and works on his own tales of fiction with equal ease.

'Dating, Diapers and Denial,' a comical view of life

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:46:58 +0530

'Dating, Diapers and Denial' is a novel with a comical view of life for men and women who have dated, raised kids and gone through the sweet-sour moments that they get- it's a novel you'd want to read over and over again, to double up at the funny anecdotal passages and the witty observations.

'Opening Night,' chasing the big Bollywood dream

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:47:51 +0530

'Opening Night' by Diksha Basu is the story of Naiya Kapur, a Princeton University graduate who comes to Mumbai to chase the big Indian dream - Bollywood.

Extract: 'Emerging India' by Bimal Jalan

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:35:12 +0530

Bimal Jalan as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1997 to 2003.

Book extract: Curse of the Godman

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:12:02 +0530

Biddu's 'Curse of the Godman' weaves together romance and deceit, mysticism and bigotry to bring to life the magic of Darjeeling's scenic tea plantations and tells an enthralling story.

Book extract: Bali and the Ocean of Milk

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:36:08 +0530

The book reimagines the eternal conflict between the gods and the asuras in a whacky thriller littered with bad jokes and corpses.

Leading without licence: Leadership the Anna way

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:34:36 +0530

Authors Satheesh Namasivayam and Sivaram Bandhakavi illustrate how Anna Hazare is masterfully practising a set of principles, proven to be effective over the ages, in exercising leadership.

Excerpt: To Kill a Snow Dragonfly by Sharad Paul

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:05:12 +0530

Seen though the eyes of Lobsang, 'To Kill a Snow Dragonfly' is an evocative journey through revolutions and disruptions, desires and memories, friendships and exile, as the narrative moves from a tranquil Tibetan village to a boarding school in south India and eventually to Bombay

Book excerpt: Delirious Delhi by Dave Prager

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:58:13 +0530

'Delirious Delhi' is a full-length portrait from an outsider's perspective that helps expats demystify Delhi - and helps Delhiites demystify expats.

Book Extract: Dance of Govinda by Ashok Banker

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:38:06 +0530

Ashok Banker's 'Dance of Govinda,' published by Harper Collins, was released recently. Here's an extract from the work.

Book extract: 'The Mine' by Arnab 'Great Bong' Ray

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:47:51 +0530

'The Mine', written by popular blogger Arnab Ray is a horror-psychological-thriller published by Westland.

Neeraj Grover murder: Maria and the real story

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:56:46 +0530

Meenal Baghel, editor of the Mumbai Mirror, uncovers the true story of the sensational Neeraj Grover murder case in her book 'Death in Mumbai'.

Book excerpt: Bunny Suraiya's 'Calcutta Exile'

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:25:36 +0530

Bunny Suraiya's 'Calcutta Exile' evokes a bygone era of one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Book Excerpt: 'Experiencing Tarot' by Roopa Patel

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:46:18 +0530

The book is first of its kind as there is no known book on Tarot written by an Indian Tarotologist.

Book excerpt: When Indira's birth drew long faces!

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:43:25 +0530

An excerpt from 24 Rasheed Kidwai's 'Akbar Road' published by Hachette India.

Book excerpt: Rakhshanda Jalil's 'A Mighty Heart'

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:27:44 +0530

An excerpt from Rakhshanda Jalil's book 'A Mighty Heart'.

Book extract: 'Satin: A Stitch in Time'

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:59:56 +0530

'Satin: A Stitch in Time' by Payal Dhar is published by Harper Collins India.

Book Excerpt: Tarun Tejpal's 'The Valley of Masks'

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:09:40 +0530

Tejpal's latest book examines the pathologies of power, purity and dogma to give a vision of the future.

'A Scandalous Secret' about choices and chances

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:53:37 +0530

The story revolves around a married couple, whose lives change after a secret from past resurfaces.

'Miss Timmins' School...' journey of a teacher

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 06:14:01 +0530

An excerpt from Nayana Currimbhoy's book 'Miss Timmins' School for Girls'.

How IM spearheads India's jihadist movement

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:39:20 +0530

Shishir Gupta's 'Indian Mujahideen: the enemy within' focuses on the rise of indigenous terror groups in India, now spearheaded by the Indian Mujahideen.

Book Excerpt: Starstruck by Rajal Pitroda

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:25:04 +0530

Rajal Pitroda's debut novel is about a girl named Sapna Shah, who is a starry eyed Bollywood fan.

Book extract: The Book of Answers by CY Gopinath

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:30:24 +0530

An excerpt from CY Gopinath's The Book of Answers.

BPO fiction: Bangalore Calling

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:01:32 +0530

Bangalore Calling is a novel set against the background of the BPO business.

Valentine's Day romance reading: Wuthering Heights

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 08:06:24 +0530

Excerpts from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

Valentine's Day romance reading: Gone with the Wind

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:51:51 +0530

Book excerpt from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.

Valentine's Day romance reading: Pride and Prejudice

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:36:24 +0530

Excerpts from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Post-Nano world: The last pedestrian of Delhi

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:54:32 +0530

After writing Corridor and The Barn Owl's Wondrous Capers, Sarnath Banerjee went through a period of silence, wondering about the point of it all. Having promised his editor never to write another graphic novel, he returned to her office three years later with a manuscript of 'loosely bound graphic commentaries.' He claimed to have moved away from the form of graphic novel and figured out a more imaginative way to arrange words and pictures. Excerpts from The Harappa Files (Published by: HarperCollins; Pages: 215; Price: Rs 499), published with permission from Sarnath Banerjee

Excerpt: Show Me A Hero

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:20:21 +0530

'Show Me A Hero' by Aditya Sudarshan is a coming of age crime fiction story, about a group of young people in Delhi.

Book extract: Turbulence

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:25:35 +0530

Author Samit Basu's latest offering is a hyper-real novel set in an over-the-top world.

Book extract: Some of the Whole

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:14:24 +0530

A collection of short stories by first-time author Abhijit Bhattacharya explores the various shades of life in contemporary India.

Book extract: History of Hate

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:47:23 +0530

History of Hate by Kanishka Gupta will be published by Rupa & Co in 2010.

Book extract: Secrets and Sins

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:04:43 +0530

Jaishree Mishra's Secrets and Sins is the second in a series of three novels woven around the theme of women and their choices about love, relationships and partners.

Book extract: 'The Thing About Thugs'

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:20:43 +0530

He looks up for the gentleman's answer, but the room is empty, the candle throwing mute shadows that probe the corners, the grimacing animals, the heavy wooden furniture, and flee like wisps of cloud across the carpet. But for the cold coins in his hand, M'lord might have been a figment of his imagination, a ghost. Excerpted with permission from 'The Thing About Thugs', by Tabish Khair, published by Harper-Collins India

Book extract: Raghav Bahl's 'Superpower?'

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:31:59 +0530

Is India ready for superpower status? Or are we irretrievably behind in the game of catch-up with China? Network18 Founder and Editor Raghav Bahl looks at the India vs China growth story in his new book.

Book extract: Saraswati Park

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:13:38 +0530

Feted for its electric chaos, the city of Bombay also accommodates pockets of calm. In one such enclave works Mohan, a contemplative man who has spent his life observing people from his seat as a letter-writer outside the main post office, but whose lack of engagement has caused a thawing of his marriage. At this delicate moment, Mohan and his wife Lakshmi are joined at their home in Saraswati Park by their nephew, Ashish, a diffident, sexually uncertain 19-year-old who has to repeat his final year in college.

Book extract: The novel that inspired 'Aisha'

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:33:15 +0530

If you thought the Abhay-Sonam starrer is all urban, think again. The plot of the film dates back to the 19th-century romance penned by Jane Austen.

Book Excerpt: Kashmir Blues

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:07:00 +0530

Kashmir Blues travels through the streets of Bombay and Delhi and soaks in the beauty of that place called Kashmir.

Book Excerpt: Balloonists

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:57:08 +0530

Balloonists, is the third novel by Rajorshi Chakraborti after 'Or the Day Seizes You' and 'Derangements'.

Excerpt: 'Serious Men' by Manu Joseph

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:00:04 +0530

Journalist Manu Joseph's debut novel Serious Men is being published simultaneously in India, Britain and the US. IBNlive.com presents an excerpt.

Book extract: 'Johnny Gone Down'

Wed, 12 May 2010 02:44:44 +0530

Karan Bajaj's second book, Johnny Gone Down, is positioned as the proverbial fast-paced thriller, spiralling dizzily through action sequences and globe-girding political and spiritual crises: genocide, Buddhism, drugs, software, finance, Russian roulette, and more. It also marks the continuation of a bold new price-point for English fiction in India: Rs 99. This is the magic price at which Chetan Bhagat's books have become the biggest success in Indian English-language publishing.