Booknerds Podcast

This conversation on the Booknerds Podcast about our existence,AI, Metaverse, karma,spirituality,human evolution and more is absolutely mindbending !!! Thank you Ajay Setia for writing a book which could be way ahead of its time. And all that edgy conversation whilst having some awesome coffee and vibe by Kunzum and enabled by the good people at JiViSa Wellness Indie authors are blowing the roof!!! About the book: There's an innate desire in all of us to do good, to create positive karma. But have you ever wondered about the force that sometimes drives us towards the opposite? That inexplicable push towards actions we later regret or question. If even the concept of God in our lives encourages good deeds, then what or who is it that entices us into the shadows of wrongdoings? Some might quickly point to a devil or a Shaitan, a malevolent force opposing God's goodness. Is this Devil more powerful than God? If that's the case, why shouldn't we gravitate towards the more dominant force, rather than worship a seemingly weaker deity? This book is not just about seeking answers; it's about reevaluating our understanding of good and evil, right and wrong, and the very nature of divine and malevolent forces. Amazon Book Link https://amzn.to/3J1dmYP Author Bio: Ajay Setia is an Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse expert, leading as CEO of InvincibleMeta.AI. Ajay's journey into the fields of advanced technology is not just a professional pursuit; he sees it as a guided path, a destiny shaped by a higher intelligence to quench his deep spiritual inquiries.

How to Become More Intentional feat. Damini Grover | Booknerds Podcast This conversation on the Booknerds Podcast about being intentional, relationships, life and more is pure gold!!! Thank you Damini Grover for writing the book 'The Intentional Being' and helping many lead a more intentional life. And all that deep conversation whilst having some awesome coffee and vibe by Kunzum and enabled by the good people at JiViSa Wellness Indie authors are truly pushing the envelope About the book: This book is about becoming more aware, purposeful and intentional with ourselves and our lives. It delves into making choices and decisions, overcoming adversity, becoming more aware of our emotions and creating more fulfilling relationships with ourselves and others. Amazon Link https://amzn.to/3PtwNgz ​ Author Bio: Damini Grover is a Counselling Psychologist, Master Practitioner of Cognitive Hypnotic Psychotherapy, Internationally Certified Heal Your Life Teacher & Coach and the Founder of I’M POWERED-CENTER FOR COUNSELING & WELL-BEING, Delhi, India. She’s a certified Psycho-Geometrics & Emotional Intelligence Facilitator. Certified in various therapeutic modalities, she has over 10 years of experience working with individuals from various walks of life and has enabled them to resolve various mental & emotional health concerns and lead an empowered life. She also undertakes Corporate Trainings & Workshops on topics such as Building Resilience, Heal Your Life, Communicating Despite Differences etc. She has been the recipient of awards such as The Spiritual Leader Award by Artemis Hospital & Universe Savior Foundation (2020), The Best Mental Health Solutions Provider by APAC Business Awards, U.K (2022) & The Most Dedicated Counselling Psychologist by Global Health Pharma, U.K. (2022,2023). She published her first Hindi Poetry book 'Rehguzar' in 2017 and her Podcast on Spotify based on the same is loved and appreciated by many. Her second book The Intentional Being has garnered a lot of praise & appreciation from readers across various age groups. Her views and articles have been featured in many leading publications such as The Statesman, Deccan Chronicle, The Guardian, Zee News, Dainik Jagran. She writes regularly for the renowned American Journal called The Elephant Journal. She’s an avid reader, passionate learner, writer and a dance enthusiast by heart. Bookstore and Venue Partner : Kunzum Wellness Partner: JiViSa Wellness

What would happen if everybody disappeared | Descartes' Mistress by Advik Lahiri | Booknerds Podcast This conversation on the Booknerds Podcast about philosophers,stoics, existentialism and more is everything and beyond! Advik Lahiri who is a prodigy author from India explores the inevitable question in his deeply reflective and creative writing style inspired by the greatest philosophers the world has seen and all of that at the age of 17! About the book This is a story so intricately woven in its discussion of the human condition, aspects of which pull at different heartstrings, the abject loneliness of the protagonist having possibly crept up, unbidden, at any point in the lives of others. His story is a catharsis that may inspire, even an unsure writer, to pen a thought or two down but also inspire a feeling of community, that in this world of ours, moving fast towards isolation, we are not alone. Descartes' Mistress is a piece of experimental, philosophical fiction concerning the philosophical implications of a premise we all know - what would happen if everybody disappeared? - in a new radical light. . About the Author Advik Lahiri is a senior at the Shri Ram School, Moulsari. He has been writing for the majority of my life. This book encapsulates his love for philosophy and literature. This piece was inspired by his readings and interpretations of Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, The Republic, The Outsider, On Being Blue, and general ideas of Descartes, Marx (his societal views), Sartre, Baudrillard, and Saul Kripke. These are just some, though the most important, of his inspirations in the book's philosophy. Bookstore and Venue Partner: Kunzum Wellness Partner: JiViSa Wellness

Booknerds Podcast feat. A Fool's Journey by Sarika Bhardwaj This conversation on the Booknerds Podcast about Self-presence, a unique philosophy that promises inner peace, mindfulness, and contentment was mind-nourishing! Thank you Sarika Bhardwaj for writing the book 'A Fool's Journey' and helping so many lost or on their way to finding themselves. And all that deep conversation whilst having some awesome coffee and vibe by Kunzum and enabled by the good people at JiViSa Wellness The book and author foster my faith in books which can be truly transformational and need not be to garner PR, marketing or self-promote. Indie authors are pushing the boundaries. About the author Sarika Bhardwaj is a certified coach and theta healing practitioner. She aims to continue raising people’s consciousness and imparting useful information about “self-presence” by changing the narrative, albeit with a stronger identity and more refined methods. She has always been interested in writing as a way to express herself and to understand herself better. She has various work experience in different industries, from modelling to event planning to life coaching. She decided to become a life coach after studying Theta healing, which showed her how our thoughts can affect our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Writing has always been her passion, and after incorporating my learnings from theta healing and life coaching, she finally felt confident enough to launch her writing career. About the book A Fool's Journey is a captivating tale of personal struggle and evolution that explores the depths of human emotions and the pursuit of true happiness, reminding us that age is no barrier when it comes to seeking one’s sense of self. Join Siddh on this inspiring adventure as he unravels the intricacies of self-discovery and finds that true fulfilment often comes from the most unexpected sources. Bookstore and Venue Partner : Kunzum Wellness Partner: JiViSa Wellness

The Importance of Book Communities | Booknerds Podcast featuring

-Rachna Kalra(Founder Windword & Founder of Delhi & Gurgaon chapter of the global SilentBookClub)

-Shibani Sethi (Director, GurgaonMoms Book Club)

-Arunima Mazumdar (Founder, Dokusha Book Club) The founders/curators/managers of various book communities got together to discuss - The relevance of Book Communities - The challenges faced in running Book Communities - How to make the reading experience better for readers - Book Recommendations and more... Rachna Kalra Rachna is the Founder of WindWord, a marketing and communications consultancy that specialises in publicity and promotions for books. She has over two decades of experience in publishing. She’s worked with Penguin India, Pan Macmillan India, Oxford University Press, and Juggernaut Books and consulted with Hachette India, Amazon Westland, HarperCollins India, Simon & Schuster India, and Pan Macmillan India. She also works directly with authors for their book promotions and consults on other communication projects. Rachna also runs the Delhi & Gurgaon Chapter of the global Silent Book Club which brings together readers who want to read books of their own choice in the company of other book lovers – in silence. Shibani Sethi Shibani is a seasoned corporate professional with a passion for literature that knows no bounds. With two decades of corporate experience and navigating the intricacies of the business world, she has honed her skills in leadership and team management, creating valuable assets in both the corporate realm and in the world of literature. Her love for books extends beyond the boardroom nurturing an environment of culture and the love for books across all genres- leading a books community for the effervescent GurgaonMoms, currently driven by over 42,000 women. Arunima Mazumdar (Founder, Dokusha Book Club) is a marketing and communications specialist and an independent journalist with over 15 years of experience across writing, editing and publishing. She has worked with Westland Books, The Times of India and Doordarshan News. Currently, she onboards new clients for Moe’s Art, a boutique communications agency, and actively writes on art and culture for Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The Hindu, and Scroll.in. Arunima is the founder of the Dokusha Book Club - an online book club dedicated to Japanese literature translated into English. We had a ball with the effervescent and awesome ladies in the frame, I hope you also do while watching/listening! Bookstore and Venue Partner : Kunzum Wellness Partner: JiViSa Wellness Host Rohan Raj (Podcaster and Co-founder, Booknerds)

Rohan Raj is a seasoned podcaster, reader, and co-founder, of Booknerds, Rohan has moderated over 150 offline book sessions and hosted over 100 podcasts since the inception of Booknerds, a literary startup that he co-founded with his wife Neha Raj in October 2015 to revolutionize how book lovers read and engage with authors which is a community of 25K now and growing.
In the past eight years, he has eminent authors like Kabir Bedi, Samir Soni, Maria Goretti,Nikita Singh,Sidhartha Mallya,Ashdin Doctor,Karuna Ezara Parikh, Namita Gokhale, Anand Neelakantan,,Rashmi Bansal, Sudha Murty, Shivani Sibal, Vir Sanghvi, Devdutt Pattanaik, Mayank Shekhar, Alan Rosling, Easterine Kire, Kevin Missal, Moin Mir,Andy Griffiths,Tricia Elam Walker and many more on the Booknerds Podcast.
Rohan has been featured in the Times of India, The Statesman, National Herald and many more newspapers, while coordinating and curating various book sessions for libraries, schools, colleges and lit fests. When he is not reading books or writing about books on LinkedIn, he is found spending time with his two daughters.
The Booknerds Podcast has reached out to more than 200,000 readers.
Rohan has been featured on Doordarshan and by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Booknerds Podcast featuring author Ranabir Sen

About the books

Tears of My Motherland

https://amzn.to/3SVDQ22

August 1945. The Japanese onslaught on Vietnam and the Philippines came to an end. Netaji Subhash Bose's sudden death was a big blow to the Indian diaspora in South East Asia, who were backing him for their motherland's freedom. Many of them remained in South East Asian countries instead of moving back to India. Two of these countries were Vietnam and the Philippines.

The book is a tearful story about Indian migrants who are still risking everything in their pursuit of a better life. Crossing boundaries and breaking barriers with every generation, their fates are tied to their adopted country’s economic and political merry-go-round. After 75 years, they still ask, where do we belong? You may find an answer in this book.

Finding Graham

https://amzn.to/3yihgaw

About the author

Ranabir is a graduate of Mathematics Honours from Hans Raj College, Delhi University. His first job was in one of the topmost advertising agencies- Clarian Advertising followed by a market research agency- MODE Research. Since then, by profession, is a market researcher and has worked in leading global market research organizations. He was based in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Dubai, Jakarta and Manila.

Research work has taken him to various places worldwide, from the interior villages of Uttar Pradesh in India to the "souks" of Cairo. He witnessed Dubai's growth and the unfortunate collapse of Syria. From the cobbled streets markets in Vienna to the crowded beach sides in Boracay, he has observed all sorts of consumer behaviour.

His unique experience with unfamiliar and unknowns has fueled his passion for storytelling through this lifelong journey.

His first book: Arun Nandy- God of the field is about his mentor’s contribution to the market research space.

This book got huge appreciation from the market research community which inspired him to write his second book Finding Graham. This is a thrilling tale from within his extended family about Mr Ramesh Dutta, who went for higher studies in London but couldn’t return after World War 2 started. The search continued for seven decades until an inquisitive new member of the family began to uncover the mystery. It was never an easy task, as a matter of fact, “how will you find someone who doesn’t exist in your life? This is a tale about a family, which lost someone and eventually found someone too! The thing about blood is, it somehow finds a vein to flow in.

His third book Tears of My Motherland is an Indian immigrant story set in Vietnam and the Philippines. The book is a tearful story of Indian migrants who are still risking everything in pursuit of a better life. Crossing boundaries and breaking barriers with every

generation. Their fate is tied to their adopted country’s economic and political merry-go-around. After 75 years, they still ask, where do we belong? You may find an answer

in this book.

Ranabir is currently settled in Gurugram with his wife, Debjani

My Experiments with Silence | The Diary of an Introvert featuring Samir Soni

About the book

Most of us are slaves to what has been described as the monkey mind. Driven by the illusion of unrealistic dreams and expectations, and the need for external validation, we are constantly caught in a tug-of-war between our inner life and the external universe. Samir Soni too has spent a lifetime oscillating between these two worlds, agonizing over the golden mean to strive for. He found it by experimenting with silence, turning to his diary as a companion in this journey, and finding the comfort in his inner self that the world outside could never provide. In My Experiments with Silence, the actor lays bare selections from his diary to help the reader cope with questions that have agitated the human mind for aeons. Who am I? Why am I the way I am? Can I truly change myself? In the process he underlines that until you discover the ‘real’ you, you are actually living someone else’s life, fulfilling someone else’s dreams, which were sold to you by the society at large. His engagement with the process of self-realization, the pitfalls and agonies that we open ourselves up to, the constant struggle between hope and despair provide a roadmap to everyone who has decided to undertake this arduous journey to one’s inner self.

"I believe this book can help readers who want to get in touch with themselves but have been afraid to do so. This may just be the nudge they required." Dr Varkha Chulani, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist

"It takes courage to share snippets of one's personal diary, but this is evidence that writing is therapeutic, not only for the writer, but for the reader as well." Sonali Bendre Behl, actor

" A sensitive and insightful take on life and finding your own path. Engaging and eloquent. A must-read for all generations." - Manjari Prabhu, author

" Samir writes from a place of genuine feeling. He bares his heart bravely, he mines its deepest (and sometimes darkest) corners to share an honest, thoughtful account of his roller-coaster life experiences." - Rajeev Masand, film critic

Grab your copy now https://amzn.to/3nOXPS3

About the Author

Samir Soni is an award-winning film, television and theatre actor. He was born and raised in Delhi. After finishing his schooling from St. Xavier’s High School in Delhi, Samir moved to Los Angeles for higher studies. He graduated (cum laude) from the University of California, Los Angeles, in business economics. Samir went on to work as a financial analyst in mergers and acquisitions for Merrill Lynch. After two years on Wall Street, he decided to chuck everything and moved back to India to pursue his true passion, acting. Over the last twenty-five years, he has won several awards and recognition for his work as actor in various mediums including web series. In 2018, he turned writer/director with his critically acclaimed debut film My Birthday Song, a psychological thriller, available on Netflix. Samir has been very vocal about the importance of mental health and challenging the meaning of the word ‘success’ in society. He lives in Mumbai.

Booknerds Podcast | Stories I Must Tell featuring Kabir Bedi

Key Highlights

- The Beatles in Delhi

- Writing Style

- Acting Experiences

- The Story of Kabir Bedi's parents

- Emilio Salgari and Sandokan

- Sergio Sollima and the books of Emilio Salgari

- How to stay sane as a celebrity?

Grab your copy now

https://amzn.to/3ynGsuk

About the author

Kabir Bedi’s career has spanned three continents in three mediums --- film, tv and theatre --- in Bollywood, Europe and Hollywood for over three decades. He is most known for his roles in American television series The Bold and the Beautiful, the James Bond film Octopussy, his European series Sandokan, and his Bollywood blockbuster Khoon Bhari Maang. For Kabir, as Shakespeare said, “all the world’s a stage”. His Sandokan Italian series broke all broadcasting records in Europe. For his lifetime achievements, he was bestowed Italy’s highest civilian honour “Cavaliere”, a Knighthood. In theatre, he has starred at the Luminato Theatre Festival in Canada, in London’s West End, and in India as Alyque Padamsee’s “Othello” and “Tughlaq”. He is a longstanding voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the “Oscars”. He is known for his social causes in India, most specially for Sightsavers India, which has restored the sight of over 5 million blind and visually challenged for free, Kabir has just released his bestselling autobiography “Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor” to great critical acclaim. Kabir Bedi lives with his wife, Parveen Dusanj, a producer, on Juhu Beach in Mumbai. About the book As Kabir bares his soul, the stories come tumbling out. That first magical encounter with the Beatles as a student in Delhi. The sudden move to Bombay, away from home, friends and college. His exciting years in advertising, his extraordinarily successful career abroad and his many painful setbacks. His relationships with the irrepressible Protima Bedi and the dazzling Parveen Babi that changed the course of his life. Of the scars they left, and the trauma of three divorces, and how he finally found fulfilment. And why his beliefs have changed. These are tumultuous stories set in Hollywood, Bollywood and Europe. The joys of blazing new trails abroad, and the dangers of them. He also tells the fascinating love story of his Indian father, a philosopher in Europe, and his British-born mother, the world’s highest-ranked Buddhist nun. And most poignant of all, the battle to save his schizophrenic son. Stories I Must Tell is the unusually candid and compelling memoir of a man who holds nothing back, in love or in storytelling. It is the story of a middle-class boy from Delhi whose career now spans the globe. Equally, it is the tale of how he survived the roller-coaster journey of the making, unmaking and remaking of him as a person.

Betrayed By Hope: A Play On The Life Of Michael Madhusudan Dutt
by Namita Gokhale | Writer,Publisher and Festival Director at Jaipur Literature Festival and Malashri Lal | Writer and Academic
...................................................................................................................
Michael Madhusdan Dutt (1824--1872), a maverick who changed the scope of Bengali poetry in the nineteenth century, especially with his free-verse epic, 'Meghnadhbadh Kabya', was a genius who never got his due.

We spoke about the mercurial Michael Madhusdan Dutt,his literary genius,the writing process of the out of the box book, some writing advice from the prolific authors and so much more...

Do grab a copy of the book before you listen to the podcast
https://amzn.to/36yEJGC

Booknerds team assembles to discuss our reading resolutions (which are meant to be broken dahhh! ) and some books which we are really looking forward to from Bill Gates' forthcoming book,Sarah J Mass to Vineet Bajpai's 1857: The Sword of Mastaan!

Please feel free to tell us your reading resolutions for 2021 and the books that you are looking forward to!