Bookstrapping: MegaNets by David B Aurebach

A Meganet is persistent because its value comes from never being off-line and never being reset. There is no way to restart or pause a meganet without destroying it. (Image source: Amazon)

The book details in depth about meganets, the place where its value is derived, how it has made self-determination a myth and more. Rating: 3.5 stars

Bookstrapping: The Hidden Hindu trilogy

One cannot miss the tendency for descriptive writing; the scenes are set vividly.The description of Paatal Lok as more beautiful than Swarga Lok in book three, is a case in point. (Image source: Amazon)

The reviewer gives a holistic view of each book and the beautiful description of Paatal Lok which is more mesmerising than Swarga Lok. Rating: 3 stars

Bookstrapping: Can the mind be quiet?

Steve Jobs famously said that we must do that which we enjoy. Krishnamurti emphasises that doing something of enjoyment is love itself. In love, there is no conflict. Only when the fear of losing what you're experiencing sets in, is there conflict. (Image source: Amazon)

Written by Jiddu Krishnamurti, philosopher, speaker and writer, the book throws light on the difference between knowledge and learning, the definition of intelligence, the beauty of meditation and various other aspects. Rating – 4 stars

World Book Day: Ten reasons why you need to pick up a book today

"Whether you like fiction or non-fiction, reading takes you a step further. One lets you drift into creativity, and the other demands your full attention, motivating you to be a better version of yourself," writes Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta.  (Representational image by  Sincerely Media via Unsplash)

In this edition of Storyboard18’s Bookstrapping, our reviewer Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta shares how reading can help you in broadening your understanding of the world, and more.

Bookstrapping: Fit at any age: A practitioner’s guide

There is a heartening endorsement for the reading habit and its contribution to the body-mind balance, which cannot be emphasised enough. Any impairment in mental health will have an adverse impact on physical health. (Image source: Amazon)

The book highlights on the races humans and animals can participate or be a part of, advocacy for vegetarianism, how good health is developed, and many more.

Bookstrapping: Unframed: Discovering Image practices in SE Asia by Rahaab Allana

The editor of the book aims to dismantle our conditioned habits of viewing ‘who’ and ‘where we are’, ‘what is real’ in our world. She also uproots the frames of familiar history, making us realise that peoples and cultures that seem unconnected today may have had generative connections in the past!

The book makes you appreciate that photographers travelled, that they were engaged for projects etc. The chapter on Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh of Jaipur, his motivations and his agency, make for very interesting reading. Bookstrapping rating: 3.5 stars

Bookstrapping: Friends with benefits by Seema Sirohi

The book documents a funny incident about PM Modi’s September 2014 visit to the US, calling it the ‘strangest dinner’ ever hosted by an American President, because the chief guest Narendra Modi didn't eat! He was fasting, while all others enjoyed a three course meal with wine. Officials on both sides marvelled at Modi's ability to stay focused and maintain the visits’ hectic schedule. (Image source: Amazon)

The author touches upon the strained relationship between India and the US, the importance of ‘language’ in diplomacy and pivotal incidents surrounding the visit of former and current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, and foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. Rating: 3.5 stars

Bookstrapping: The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel

As per the book, the horror of horrors appears in the introduction itself- in the 19th century, art dealers used to erase women’s signatures from paintings and replace it with more well-known male names. Because women’s smaller less creative brains were supposed to be less capable of professional art. (Image source: Amazon)

The book lists details on various forms of art, highlights on the Italian city of Bologna, traces ‘Western Art History’ and mentions global names in western art. Rating: 4 Stars.

Bookstrapping: The Fun Habit by Mike Rucker

The author divides our activities into four quadrants: pleasing, living, yielding and agonising. He encourages to maximise the former, and recognise and minimise the latter. (Image source: Amazon)

The book taps on the importance of making space for fun, developing strict self-discipline for it, and to make it a habit. Further, the book also lists down tips on how to have fun. Rating-3.5 stars