en-US Sat, 19 Sep 2026 01:10:34 -0700 60 144 41 https://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review8957415963 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 01:10:34 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8957415963 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Ahamasmi Yodha - When the God Chooses To Be a Warrior (Kindle Edition) by Munmun Das Neogi
What if the strongest person in a conflict is the one who refuses to let anger decide the next move? Ahamasmi Yodha keeps returning to that idea.

Munmun Das Neogi's Krishna is active, strategic and deeply involved in difficult decisions. The book discusses battles, but also diplomacy, retreat, protection and timing. The Ranchhod episode is particularly revealing because the same action can look like defeat when judged by ego and like strategy when judged by purpose.

Maps, illustrations and ancient weapon references make the setting vivid. The archaeology sections are interesting, although they work best as areas for exploration rather than certainty. I finished the book thinking less about Krishna's power and more about his decisions. ]]> Review8957392613 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:45:52 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8957392613 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Shadows & Goals - The Game Was Never the Hardest Part. (Hardcover) by Devendra Garware
I was expecting the football in Shadows & Goals to dominate the story. Instead, I found myself paying more attention to what happens between the matches.

The central trio of Armaan, Rohan and Kabir gives the novel its energy. Vanita's illness is handled with admirable restraint. Her desire to protect Rohan creates a difficult situation without turning her into either a saint or a villain.

The prose is uncomplicated and keeps the story moving. I liked that the author avoids excessive speeches and lets actions carry much of the emotion. Some supporting roles could have been richer, and several important scenes deserved more time. Still, the combination of football, friendship and family responsibility works well, making this a promising first novel. ]]> Review8957389314 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:42:12 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8957389314 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to ¿Dónde Está El Roshogolla? - Where Is the Roshogolla? (Paperback) by Mala Dasgupta
I expected the word “aunty” to be central to the humour, but the book uses it in an interesting way. The women are not defined by that label.

Instead, the stories give them movement. They board flights, enter unfamiliar places, deal with relationships and experience travel’s unpredictability. The destinations keep the collection varied.

The book works when ordinary details carry the idea. There is no need for explanations about independence. A woman navigating another city can say enough. Add Bengali food, familiar expressions and the occasional cultural clash, the collection becomes a quite pleasant mix of travel, comedy and character. That combination keeps the book from becoming predictable quite often. ]]> Review8947113871 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:29:03 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8947113871 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Let There Be Light Upon the Universe - Beyond Maps: Explore Earth’s Unseen Lands (Volume 1) by Phanindra Narayan Gundu
I usually read before bed. A chapter. Maybe two. This book disrupted that routine. I kept stopping to think instead of turning pages. That's a compliment. The ideas challenged familiar habits of thought, even when I disagreed with the reasoning behind them.

The author writes with conviction, and that confidence creates an engaging reading experience from beginning to end. I would have appreciated more attention to opposing viewpoints, but the questions raised remained worthwhile.

Good books don't always provide comfortable evenings. Sometimes they replace comfort with reflection. This one certainly did, and I found myself carrying those reflections into ordinary moments long after finishing the final page. ]]> Review8947082249 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:00:24 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8947082249 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Let There Be Light Upon the Universe - Beyond Maps: Explore Earth’s Unseen Lands (Volume 2) by Phanindra Narayan Gundu
Looking back, I realize I remember this book less for its extraordinary claims than for the habits of thought it encouraged. It asked me to slow down, examine assumptions, and recognize how deeply belief shapes interpretation. The author's unwavering commitment gives the work a distinctive identity that remains consistent throughout. While I wished for greater engagement with alternative evidence, I never doubted the sincerity behind the project. That sincerity deserves respect. In the end, the experience became less about deciding who was correct and more about becoming a more attentive reader. For me, that quiet shift in perspective was the book's greatest accomplishment and lasting reward. ]]> Review8943706628 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 18:04:11 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8943706628 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Seven Lives (Kindle Edition) by Johanna Kirwan
The kind of book that grows on you rather than trying to impress you immediately. Its story unfolds across years and different countries, giving you time to understand the women instead of rushing through their lives.

I enjoyed the slower pace because it suited the subject. These aren't characters whose lives change overnight. Their choices, relationships and careers develop gradually, and sometimes the consequences of something that happened years earlier only become clear much later.

The international development setting was also something different for me. It gave the story a purpose beyond the usual relationship or family drama, while still keeping the characters at the centre.

There are moments of excitement and uncertainty, but some of the quieter scenes stayed with me more. The feeling of being far from home, starting over somewhere unfamiliar and wondering where you truly belong is captured particularly well.

A thoughtful read that rewards a little patience. ]]> Review8931194127 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:04:16 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8931194127 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Inspector Rocky: The Locked Room Murder (Kindle Edition) by M K Devidasan
The ventilation system detail was probably my favourite part of the mystery. A recently repaired system having a mysterious modification is such an unusual thing to notice in a murder investigation. It made me wonder whether something completely different had been used to carry out the crime.

I liked that the story doesn't depend only on obvious clues like fingerprints or a missing weapon. The idea that the murderer could have used the surroundings of the room itself adds an interesting puzzle. That final concept of solving the “impossible” murder by asking the right question is what stayed with me most. ]]> Review8928362321 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 20:52:24 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8928362321 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Inspector Rocky - The Beginning of a Legend: A Detective Story (Paperback) by M K Devidasan
Straightforward, intriguing, and wonderfully crafted! Inspector Rocky hits all the right notes for a good investigative story. The premise of a sealed-room murder using a snakebite is an absolute hook, and Rocky is the ideal sharp-eyed detective to tackle it. The story balances the technical mystery of how the crime occurred with the compelling investigation of why. The stakes ramp up significantly when Rocky realizes time is running out to prevent another tragedy. Overall, it’s a crisp, highly entertaining read for anyone who loves a good puzzle! ]]> Review8912555589 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:34:21 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8912555589 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to THE IMPLIED TASK™ Psychodynamic Spiritual Leadership™: Leading Faithfully Through AI, Anxiety, and Human Transformation (Kindle Edition) by Rev. Dr. A'Shellarien Addison
If you only read one book on leadership this year, make it The Implied Task. Seriously. Dr. A’Shellarien Addison has written
something truly special here. While everyone else is arguing about whether AI is going to take our jobs, she asks the real question: how do we keep our humanity intact while using it? Her framework about "the visible task vs. the implied task" blew my mind. It totally redefines what it means to lead people through anxiety and
uncertainty. I read this in two sittings because the writing flows so well and every single page gave me an "aha" moment. It’s
insightful, comforting, and insanely practical for anyone leading a
team today. 10 out of 10. ]]> Review8905808016 Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:07:48 -0700 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8905808016 Lakshmi gave 5 stars to Taking Charge: Living Beyond Diabetes: My Battle and Blueprint to beat it (Paperback) by Abhishek Gaggneja
I would recommend Taking Charge to someone who is just beginning to learn about diabetes and healthy living. The language is simple and the author's personal journey provides a clear starting point. Instead of overwhelming the reader with technical information, the book focuses on practical ideas and personal responsibility. I liked the balance between motivation and real life experiences. It also encourages readers to become more aware of what they eat and how they live. It may not answer every medical question, but it provides useful motivation to start paying attention to health. ]]>