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​ Book Review:  Colombo: Port of Call  by Ajay Kamalakaran Publisher: Penguin India Genre: Cultural History / Travel Non-Fiction / Maritime & Archival Narrative Overview In Colombo: Port of Call , writer and archival researcher Ajay Kamalakaran constructs a vivid, multi-layered portrait of Ceylon’s capital during the height of the steamship era in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Rather than presenting a dry, linear historical chronicle, Kamalakaran curates a literary collage through the eyes of 14 diverse global figures—including literary icons, royalty, athletes, and political leaders—who briefly docked at this critical Indian Ocean crossroads on their journeys between the East and West. Key Themes and Structure The Crossroads of Empire: The book captures Colombo's unique geopolitical and cultural identity when it served as an essential refueling and transit hub for travelers moving between Europe, Australia, and East Asia. An Eclecti...

​ Mumbai, August 4, 2026: Crossword Book Awards, one of India’s longest-running and most respected literary honours, marks a landmark milestone with its 20th edition, reaffirming its enduring commitment to celebrating the very best of Indian writing in English. Since presenting its first award in 1998, the Crossword Book Awards have evolved into one of the country’s most influential literary honours, expanding from a single award to ten categories that recognise excellence across a wide range of genres. Over the decades, the Awards have honoured more than a hundred outstanding books and celebrated five distinguished recipients with the Lifetime Achievement Award , reflecting their enduring contribution to India’s literary and publishing landscape. Marking this milestone year, the Crossword Book Awards have announced their distinguished jury for the 2026 edition. It brings together some of the country’s most accomplished voices from literature, journalism, academia, publishing and...

​ Title:  The Last Vanara  Author:  Anil John  Genre:  Mythological Fiction / Thriller / Mystery Publication Date / Copyright:  2026 Executive Summary The Last Vanara  by Anil John is an ambitious, fast-paced mythological thriller that seamlessly weaves ancient Indian epics, secret societies, marine archaeology, and modern cryptographic linguistics. Beginning with a mysterious, tragic naval diving expedition near Ram Setu in 1978 and shifting to a murder mystery in present-day Varanasi, the novel sets out on a high-stakes journey across history, faith, and human morality. John delivers a narrative that functions both as an action-packed adventure and a philosophical reflection on compassion, duty, and truth. Plot Overview The narrative kicks off in September 1978, when Captain Dev Menon and a research team off the coast of Ram Setu uncover manufactured underwater geometry and ancient Sanskrit seals, leading to a disastrous, violent incident that is pro...

  Book Review:  The Mystery of Number 7 Author:  Dr. A.G. Malavika Publisher:  Akshara Publications (2026) Genre:  Mystery / Crime Thriller / Medical Suspense  Executive Summary In her latest installment, Dr. A.G. Malavika—an ophthalmologist by profession and award-winning author—delivers an engaging procedural mystery centered around the high-pressure world of postgraduate medical residency. The novel follows 22-year-old twin detectives, Jinu and Jamie Varghese (famously dubbed the "J Girls"), as they step into a complex web of tragedy, dark patterns, and cover-ups stretching across several medical institutions.  Plot Overview The story kicks off when the "J Girls" receive an urgent call regarding the tragic death of Dr. Akhila, a bright second-year Ophthalmology resident found dead in her vehicle under suspicious circumstances. While initial appearances suggest suicide fueled by intense departmental harassment, subtle clues—including a mysterious gre...