When the Drugs Don’t Work: A Gripping Look at Antibiotic Resistance (Book Review)

Anirban Mahapatra’s book, When the Drugs Don’t Work: The Hidden Pandemic That Could End Modern Medicine, explores the threat of antibiotic resistance. It is published by Juggernaut Books.

• Genre: Science non-fiction
• Main topic: Antibiotic resistance and its potential to render modern medicine ineffective
• Author’s background: Anirban Mahapatra has a PhD in microbiology and is the Editorial Director of the American Society for Microbiology.

Anirban Mahapatra’s book isn’t a work of fiction, but a serious look at a potential future health crisis. The book focuses on the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs.

Anirban Mahapatra, a microbiologist, dives into the looming crisis of antibiotic resistance in the book.  Antibiotics, one of the cornerstones of modern medicine, are becoming increasingly ineffective against infectious diseases due to the overuse and misuse of these medications. This has led to the rise of superbugs, bacteria that have evolved to resist even the strongest antibiotics.

The book explores the causes of antibiotic resistance, including the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine, as well as the lack of development of new antibiotics. Mahapatra also discusses the potential consequences of a world where antibiotics no longer work. Simple infections could become deadly, and common surgeries could become too risky to perform. The book argues that antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat and calls for a multi-pronged approach. 

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• The Threat: Antibiotic overuse and misuse have led to the development of superbugs, bacteria that can’t be controlled by existing medications.
• The Stakes: Simple infections that were once easily treated could become deadly. Surgeries and other medical procedures that rely on antibiotics could become too risky.
• The Cause: The book explores how the overuse of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry has contributed to the rise of superbugs.
• The Solution: Mahapatra discusses potential solutions, which may include developing new antibiotics, finding alternative therapies to fight infections, and stricter regulations on antibiotic use.

“When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship. The book will likely interest anyone who wants to learn more about this critical public health issue.

Here are some potential takeaways from the book:

• The importance of antibiotic stewardship: We need to use antibiotics judiciously and only when they are essential. The book serves as a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship and the need to find new ways to combat infectious diseases.
• The need for new antibiotics: Research and development of new antibiotics is essential to combat the threat of superbugs.
• The importance of public awareness: Educating the public about antibiotic resistance is critical to changing behaviour.

If you are interested in learning more about antibiotic resistance, “When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a must-read.

Here are some places you can find the book:

• Online retailers like Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/When-Drugs-Dont-Work-Pandemic-ebook/dp/B0CW1JZ3L8)
• Indian booksellers like Flipkart (https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/when-the-drugs-don%E2%80%99t-work-the-hidden-pandemic-that-could-end-modern-medicine-by-anirban-mahapatra-2853882153548.html)

Blurb:

Antibiotics save countless lives and make modern medicine possible. They keep us alive during and after birth, when we face sudden infections, need common surgeries, or need to manage long-term challenges like diabetes and cancer.

Now diseases caused by superbugs that defeat antibiotics are on the rise – and there are no longer any cures. Imagine a world where a simple cut can be lethal and going to the hospital is a death sentence.

This hidden pandemic of superbugs is one of the deadliest to hit our world. Unchecked, it will cause greater economic damage and kill more people than COVID-19.

In this gripping and eye-opening book, microbiologist Anirban Mahapatra explains what led to this hidden pandemic, what’s at stake, and what we can do in this war against our deadly invisible enemies.

About the Author:

Anirban Mahapatra has been an influential voice in science publishing and communication for two decades. He is the author of one book, COVID-19: Separating Fact from Fiction, and writes a popular science column for the Hindustan Times.

About the Reviewer:
Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com

Suryavamshi : The Sun Kings of Rajasthan (Book Review)

Marrying the facts with fiction is no mean feat, but then in the land of the brave Rajput people the romantic illusion of living life to the fullest is not only romantic but also an inspiration for ballads and songs.

Suryavamshi (The Sun Kings of Rajasthan) particularly focuses on the kings of Mewar who were said to have descended from the Sun God. The chronology of the kings isn’t what you can expect in this book but you can definitely have a wonderful storytelling that mixes James Todd’s Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan merged into a storytelling by Abanindranath Tagore, leaving you engaged till the end. The translation and adaptation from the original ‘Raj Kahini’ in Bengali to English by Sandipan Deb is a beautiful undertaking. This book is published by Juggernaut Books.

As a reader and reviewer hailing from the lineage of the Sun Dynasty, of course I would sound biased in my approach to the review of the book. However, I have tried and been objective in my approach to the reviewing.

The captivating story of Shiladitya, adventures of Bappa Raval, the love of Rani Padmini for her husband and the Jauhar story, Mirabai’s devotion, tracing dynasties and lineage till Chhatrapati Shivaji and the relationship of the Rajput kings with the Bhil kings has been vividly described with many other stories of challenges the sun kings faced. The political intrigue, drama, ascendance to the throne, the right way to rule and the kingdoms and dominions are all fantastically described with facts and fiction. Abanindranath himself had admitted to getting the facts from James Todd’s work.

To get the idea of how the emergence of kings, kingdoms and kinship arose from various tribes, we need to understand the historical implications of different situations. The role of Bhils in keeping Mewar from the attack of invaders however can never be ignored. If you see the insignia on the coat of arms you will find both standing proud on either side of the Sun God.

जो दृढ़ राखे धर्म को, ताहि रखे करतार – has been the pledge of the Sun Kings of Mewar but it can be also be taken into consideration for all of Rajasthan’s brave men and women including the royal families to have followed this path. The pledge translates as – The Almighty protects those who stand steadfast in upholding righteousness (dharma).

Gods and Goddesses also form part of storytelling, weaving into the fabric of Rajasthan’s religious practices without being too obvious about it.

Overall, the book brings into its stories a beautiful amalgamation of wars, politics, justice, rivalry, enmity, love and bravery. The only drawback is that the book doesn’t go beyond Maharana Pratap’s story, I wish there were more stories to encapsulate the rule of the later kings.

The book is ideal read for readers of 10+years and onwards in age. The confluence of fiction and non-fiction makes it a great read for all kinds of readers.

Book Blurb:

For over a century, Abanindranath Tagore’s Raj Kahini has been among the most beloved works of Bangla literature. Mixing history and mythology with an extraordinary visual imagination, it tells the tales of the Suryavamsha – the Sun Dynasty that ruled Mewar. Here we meet Shiladitya, child of the Sun God; Bappaditya, who builds an empire that stretches up to Persia; Hambir, the cheeky teenager who reclaims the throne of Mewar. We meet Padmini, the princess from SriLanka who becomes a goddess; Mirabai, who renounces her kingdom to be with her child-god, Nandalala.

On every page, we are exposed to emotions that define the human condition – love, sacrifice, jealousy, courage, greed and treachery. Honour and loyalty clash with villainy and evil, and the better side does not always win. Epic in their sweep, universal in their essence, the stories are timeless. Suryavamshi is a translation and adaptation of Abanindranath’s classic for twenty-first-century India.

About the Authors:

Abanindranath Tagore (1871–1951) was one of India’s most important artists and led the influential Bengal School of Art. A member of the Tagore family, he was also a well-regarded writer, especially known for his children’s books which includes the classic Raj Kahini.

Sandipan Deb became a published author at the age of eight when one of his stories was printed in Sandesh, the Bangla children’s magazine edited by Satyajit Ray. Since then his writings have ranged from business to cricket, cinema to artificial intelligence.

About the Book Reviewer:

Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com

The Bad Cook’s Guide to Indian Cooking

‘Maa ke haath ka khaana’ is an emotion! While everyone thinks of mothers when it comes to eating tasty food, not all women (or mothers specifically) are good cooks. While in India, it has been perpetuated down the generations that women have to be good cooks and serve the family, the fact remains that it is not surprising that not all women are actually good cooks.

‘The Bad Cook’s Guide to Indian Cooking‘ by Aakanksha Sethi (Published by Juggernaut Books) is not only packed with recipes from India but also has motivating quotes in between to keep up with the spirit of cooking experiments.

The Book… The Recipes… The Bad to Cooking better guide is here!

So what does this book do?

• It helps moms, women, men; in fact, all kinds of humans to cook well.
• The Indian recipes are simple and come with great illustrations
• There is attention to detailing ie. quantity and types of ingredients to choose
• Most of the cosmopolitan recipes can be found here
• The visuals are so spot on for Indian cooking that it helps to identify the ingredients and the meals with ease.
• Gives you the best Indian meals with diverse nutritional values

Who should not have this book?

• Lazy people who think cooking is not necessary
• People who think recipes belong to women
• People who want to survive on deliveries and ‘baahar ka khana’

Overall verdict? I can visualize girls and boys going through this book and making yummy foods in their PGs while the mess food can be easily ditched without guilt. I give this book points for visuals and easy uptake of ingredients and cooking methods. If you were to ask why not see YouTube? Well, there is an old world charm to have a book to guide you rather than a video to misguide you.

About the Book:

Aakanksha Sethi is a bad cook – but she manages to make delicious Indian food because of this genius cookbook that she has compiled over the last ten years. Now you can use it, too! From elementary paneer and microwave ghiya to straightforward chicken and homely biryani, this brilliantly designed book with its flow-charts and illustrations will set you up in the kitchen and no one will know your secret – that you can’t cook!

About the Author:

Aakanksha Sethi is a thirty-six-year-old woman juggling a nuclear family with two super cute and naughty kids as well as assisting her husband in the core areas of his business planning.

About the Reviewer:

Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com

Welcome to Paradise (Book Review)

Mrs Funnybones aka. Twinkle Khanna comes back with another book this year. The funny form is replaced by seriousness that bites the bone! But hey! It isn’t so serious as it is so contemplative in theme aiding the feelings of loneliness, deception and heartbreak.

Welcome to Paradise by Twinkle Khanna by Juggernaut Books houses tales that have a peculiar women’s lens.

Twinkle Khanna blends the various Bombay vibes and lives in various moods, across different religions into a single need to experience slivers of paradise.

There is nothing great about the stories. They are not wild or other-worldly but so very ordinary that this ordinariness attempts the itching need to unwrap the human emotions at work and the mind at it’s most displaced moments.

‘The Man from Garage’ looks into family situation at a personal yet very astutely impersonal level. The family is broken apart in death by the religious sentiments but that’s not what the story is about. There is something more and that you need to read to know it.

‘Let’s Pretend’ goes beyond identity hide and seek and steps into the murky matters of loneliness…and perhaps more?

‘Nearly Departed’ takes you into the by lanes of human mind as it contemplates the decision of living or dying in old age.

‘Welcome to Paradise’ pricks the bubble of paradise kind of happy life that could be easily torn apart if a secret reveals itself.

‘Jelly Sweets’ brings a sweet end to a bitter tale of living and actually living again.

Each of the stories in the book have the component of loneliness, desire and deception with the undercurrent of heartbreak of different kinds.

Usually, Twinkle Khanna tends to engage with wit and satire in her books. This book takes up heavy themes without making it dragging boring or depressive moorings; however some wit or sarcasm here and there does make it sail worthy in the story’s choppy waters.

My Reading Experience:

• In some stories the Old Bombay imagery comes to my mind and in some a contemporary one.
• Life and death, masking and unmasking, love and loneliness, deception and perception, all blend into the stories that are simple to read
• The reader can easily flow with the story narration.
• Keen observations about daily life that we all tend to see and yet it just bypasses us. The stories make us sit up and nod our heads – “Oh yes! This happened once upon a time…..”
• Stories can be good OTT theme for viewership
• Ideal for Young Adults and Adults

Blurb:

Rich narratives that explore the depth of loneliness, heartbreak and deception. Huma’s divided family – Team Cemetery and Team Crematorium – clash hilariously over matters involving pigs and penises as they decide what to do with Amma’s body. Madhura Desai writes an email to the chief justice of India, urging him to choose a ‘nice cut-off age’ to die, sending shockwaves across the nation. Along the shores of Satpati, Nusrat grapples with the loss of her son, and her voice. And Amita tells her husband about her breast implants but not about Bua, Bangalore and beautiful men. Perfectly observed, shot through with light and shadow and wry humour, Welcome to Paradise confirms Khanna’s reputation as one of our most masterful storytellers.

Author:

Twinkle Khanna, also known as Tina Jatin Khanna, is an Indian author, columnist, interior designer, film producer, and former actress. In 2015, Khanna released her first non-fiction book, Mrs Funnybones which was declared a bestseller, making Khanna India’s highest-selling woman writer that year. Welcome to Paradise is her latest book.

Book Reviewer:

Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com

Sandalwood Soap and Other Stories (Book Review)

Perumal Murugan’s Sandalwood Soap and Other Stories, published by Juggernaut Books is a translated book from original Kongu dialect of Tamil language. Translated by Kavitha Muralidharan, this book marks a return to the subtle themes of caste in the semi-rural and rural settings of Tamil Nadu.

The everyday lives in the stories are juxta positioned by subtle infusions about caste and identity issues.

The stories are all different yet held together by an invisible thread of everyday living in a world that is so relatable yet so ordinary that we see it clearly only if we see it closely.

‘Loser‘ is direct yet subtle in its fantasy quality. A cat that talks? Emerging from a banal yet stressful office environment comes a tale of hours at home with a cat. The story somehow involves stories of the boss and the cat. Is the cat real, or it is a person or is it all imagination?

‘The Last Sacrifice‘ holds the people on the fence of tradition and change; to cling to the last visages of doubt and development. Are the superstitions real?

‘Thigh’ has a circular impact wherein a love that’s not reciprocated takes an ugly form of swelling that won’t go.

‘Grant us pardon, Saami‘ is a direct reference to caste thinking. Mob violence erupt from the old scars and thoughts that resurface.

‘Anointing‘ builds up a tempo with the husband’s thoughts with a festering end as the story progresses.

‘Meowdi‘ presents the picture of a family whose interpersonal dynamics change on the arrival of a cat.

‘The Game‘ connects an older generation with the young one. It throws light into the father-son relationship in a new twist.

‘The Last Cloth’ wraps up the last generation of traditional tamil attire of a woman into a matter of shame. The solution though is sought with strange result. Who can deal with an elderly’s ways when the younger generation think they know better?

‘Neelaka‘ focuses on beauty to aversion – a journey that grinds your mental imagery. Can beauty be tarnished by an obsession?

‘The Obstinate‘ looms surprisingly between a reckless man who leads others to a grave danger.

‘Dog‘ puts a lover’s position to the level of dog due to the way he handles a particular incident.

‘Sandalwood Soap‘ washes off the promise of a man to a boy from his village. This later on brings to the question as to who shapes the experiences the child undergoes.

‘Hail Comrade, PM‘ fits the struggles of those who rebel and are communists. This story focuses on a singular incident.

‘Magamuni‘ threads up warnings of danger with that of a challenge from a suspicious priest. It’s a woman’s word against the male priest.

Overall Experience –

Perumal Murugan builds up stories around so ordinary life that the reader is left thinking, why didn’t I observe this in first place? It has a familiar tone in each story and yet a distinctive approach to the way the relationships are viewed.

Given his realistic narration, there are angles in certain stories where fantasy is a way to reveal something. Perumal’s stories are so impactful – they resonate long after the stories are read. For me Sandalwood Soap, Grant us Pardon, Saami and Anointing have left particular impressions.

Overall, a must read for all readers!

Note: As mentioned by the translator, the original book was written in tamil language with Kongu dialect. The translator has admitted that the beauty of the original language and its specific nuances are sometimes lost in translation.

Yet, for the sake of understanding and translator’s attempts to stick to the most closest word – this book is a real treasure!

Book Blurb:

Acclaimed writer Perumal Murugan returns to his old themes -caste and the world of rural and semi-rural Tamil Nadu – in his new collection of short stories, mingling absurdity and pathos like no one else.

The titular story is about a young boy whose job is to police the toilets in a mofussil bus stand and urge users to emerge sooner. ‘It is as if shit is stuck on my body’, he tells the story’s narrator, pleading to be taken away.

In ‘The Last Cloth’ , a man who returns to his village after a city education is revolted seeing his mother walk about bare breasted. She however has never worn a blouse, not even in her prime, and is terrified at being asked to in her old age.

While ‘Neelaakka’ tells the story of a woman who is mocked for stains on her teeth.

These stories and many more are part of this unsettling, moving and grippingly told collection. Sandalwood Soap and Other Stories is another extraordinary book from one of our great writers working at the height of his powers.

About the Author/ Translator:

Perumal Murugan is one of lndia’s most well-known literary writers. He has written twelve novels, six short story collections and five works of poetry in Tamil, many of which have been translated into English. His books have won and been nominated for numerous prizes.

Kavitha Muralidharan is an independent bilingual journalist from Tamil Nadu with over twenty-five years of experience and a translator.

About the Book Reviewer:

Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com

CULTure (Book Review)

Company Culture is the buzzing thing these days. Every employee and HR personnel is seen talking about it. However, are you listening to the right perspective of how a company culture can be developed, sustained and maintained?

For Indian startups, you need not look any further than our home grown Zomato. What started as an internal document in wiro-bound format for Zomato employees is now a book for everyone to read and guide their businesses forward.

Writen by Deepinder Goyal with Ashish Goyal and Naina Sahni, the focus is on CULT growth within the culture of the organization. This book is published by Juggernaut Books

Why this culture book?

I asked myself this question so as to understand it from the perspective of an entrepreneur and the answer was – why not?

In India, I don’t think I have come up with any detailed company culture document that’s converted into a book. There is of course a possibility of having someone who has written it for circulation within the organization but this is one step ahead of that.

What I liked?

The book is full of illustrations and to the point explanation of how Zomato works is mentioned. It gives a glimpse of how to the people in the organization behave and what will work for them in Zomato.

Right from working systems, leaves, employee morale to the future of the employees, this book was a handbook that got upgraded into a book format.

What I didn’t like

It has too much of a statement type explanation rather than having some personal sharing or anecdotes that can make an employee or even a brand loyalist understand Zomato better. It was insightful in some places but too clinical in the way each aspect is handled despite the good illustrations.

Best part of the book?

Culture is never constant and hence the culture document that we all make as eager startups during the initial years of the startup cannot remain the same when you have progressed a few years into your business. Each new milestone in your business adds to the culture document.

It is a great companion guide for every startup founder to morph into the business of connecting with employees and being clear of their vision.

Final Takeway:

Every aspect of employee’s welfare is part of founder’s thought process and that is glimpsed in this book. It’s a good founder’s guide to spearheading an organization.

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Blurb:

Culture eats strategy for breakfast.

In this short, sharp, witty book originally written for Zomato employees, get an insight into how one of India’s most exciting and successful companies works, and what it does to create the culture of excellence that makes it break barriers – time and time again.

It won’t just help you understand Zomato, it might just change the way you work.

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About the Book Reviewer:

Reviewed by Kavita Jhala, Founder of Kaffeinated Konversations – a Bibliophile, writer and artist. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. If you want your book to be reviewed, drop an email to kaffeinatedkonversations@gmail.com