The Legend of the Genghis Khan, published by Readomania, as the title obviously suggests, is the story of the world's most fearsome conqueror-one who I had only briefly read about in history books. This book, however, is not sketchy, but in fact, a well-researched and in-depth story about what made him the great emperor of Mongol. The book takes off to a gruesome start (consider this an advance warning so you can brace yourself, but let it not deter you from reading it), taking the reader right in the thick of an ongoing siege, and even as the bloodshed takes places between the pages the narration is such that it keeps you hooked, unable to do much else except cringe and read on. This sentiment and the taut pace continues throughout the book, making it an extremely engrossing read, especially when it comes to describing a world long gone, and yet, one that exists all around us. It makes one pause and ponder whether we've really evolved as a species or are we as barbaric as the Khan even today.

In 2017, porn consumption in India reportedly rose by 75 percent. Indians now account for the third-highest chunk of visitors to Pornhub (up from fifth highest in 2014), one of the biggest porn aggregator sites in the world. (Source - Firstpost.com) There is no denying that there is an increase in sexual awareness all across the world. Urgent calls to indulge in healthy and open discussions around sex are being made across the world — online and offline. Incidents of sexual abuse are more vocally being condemned, while at the same time, there is more focus on good sexual health. Amidst all of this, there is also the downside. Everything seems to be focused around sex — to the extent that, now there is an overdose of sexual content, direct or implied. Sex is used to sell everything from deodorants to inverters! This raises various questions, including the most critical one, how is porn affecting us as a society? It becomes imperative that for us to understand its impact, and analyze our own role in it.

Indian Railways is the largest single-entity employer in India, and the eight largest in the world. This is a fascinating fun fact for those not familiar with the length and breadth of the railway tracks in the country. For those of us who have actually spent most of our summer vacations travelling across that length and breadth it would probably be evidentiary–and we would probably react with a knowing ‘Obviously!’

When I first got to know that my fellow author in Mock, Stalk and Quarrel was coming out with a full-fledged novel I was obviously thrilled for her. What added even more to the charm of the book was that it had initially been a short story which was later expanded to a novel. When I got to know that, not only was I stumped, I was also reminded of my own experience of writing a novel and expanding it from an earlier shorter version. It's not easy, I thought to myself. And full kudos to Anupama Jain for doing it, and doing it successfully. Knowing well her brand of humour, and being familiar with her impactful satirical writing, when I started reading, a smile invariably made its way across my face in anticipation. And the opening sentences kept that smile intact.