BOOK OF THE DAY

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional book to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope have moved him to make this precious legacy available now.

“Hope vividly recreates the colorful world where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio grew up.”—The New York Times

Hope is the first autobiography in history ever to be published by a Pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis’s Italian roots and his ancestors’ courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day.

In recounting his memories with intimate narrative force (not forgetting his own personal passions), Pope Francis deals unsparingly with some of the crucial moments of his papacy and writes candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general.

Hope includes a wealth of revelations, anecdotes, and illuminating thoughts. It is a thrilling and very human memoir, moving and sometimes funny, which represents the “story of a life” and, at the same time, a touching moral and spiritual testament that will fascinate readers throughout the world and will be Pope Francis’s legacy of hope for future generations.

The book is enhanced by remarkable photographs, including private and unpublished material made personally available by Pope Francis himself.

BOOK OF THE DAY

**THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**

'Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

Perfect for fans of THE LEVIATHAN and THE SONG OF ACHILLES

A pure pleasure of a novel set in Georgian London, where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations and romance.

London, 1799. Dora Blake is an aspiring jewellery artist who lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents' famed shop of antiquities. When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora is intrigued by her uncle's suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar. Edward sees the ancient vase as key to unlocking his academic future. Dora sees it as a chance to restore the shop to its former glory, and to escape her nefarious uncle.

But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it. As Dora uncovers the truth she starts to realise that some mysteries are buried, and some doors are locked, for a reason.

'A gripping narrative in which secrets from the past are slowly and ingeniously revealed' Sunday Times, *Historical Fiction Book of the Month*

'A richly evocative and hugely enjoyable read, bubbling with mysteries, secrets and pleasures' Joseph O'Connor

Readers love Pandora:

'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance'
'Wonderfully atmospheric'

'A beautifully written piece of historical fiction'

ON READING

After reading a book one may not remember all the content of the book. But reading good books gives one ideas, knowledge, feelings, emotions, and truths that cleanse, purge and purify one's mind. It imparts to the reader a kind of spiritual transformation through which he is reborn as a new person and thus he/she is benefitted.

Courtesy: Shri Vijay Mishra, Facebook 

BOOK OF THE DAY

As a Man Thinketh is a self-help book by James Allen, published in 1903. It was described by Allen as "... [dealing] with the power of thought, and particularly with the use and application of thought to happy and beautiful issues. I have tried to make the book simple, so that all can easily grasp and follow its teaching, and put into practice the methods which it advises. It shows how, in his own thought-world, each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances. The price of the book is only one shilling, and it can be carried in the pocket." It was also described by Allen as "A book that will help you to help yourself", "A pocket companion for thoughtful people", and "A book on the power and right application of thought."

Basis of the book

The title is influenced by a verse in the Bible from the Book of Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he". The full passage, taken from the King James Version, is as follows:

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

While the passage suggests that one should consider the true motivations of a person who is being uncharacteristically generous before accepting his generosity, the title and content of Allen's work refer to the reader himself.

Allen's essay is in the public domain within the United States and most other countries. It was released October 1, 2003 as a Project Gutenberg e-text edition.

About the book

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

This book opens with the statement:

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,

And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes

The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,

Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —

He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:

Environment is but his looking-glass.

Chapter 1 starts with this quote from the Dhammapada.

To read further, go to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_a_Man_Thinketh

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia 

BOOK OF THE DAY

Often perceived as boring, history is unpopular with many children as it is often disconnected with reality and there is a visible lack of engaging activities and storytelling while learning the subject. But one book that proves otherwise is Travelling Treasures: 100 Incredible Tales of How Things Came to India. Authored by Mala Kumar, this book uncovers how and when a hundred myriad things that we use and consume every day entered India.

While the book traces the ‘history’ of how most of these objects were invented or discovered and finally found its way to India, the narrative is lucid and is characterised by a style that is breezy and replete with anecdotes, humour, and wit. The story of each object is crisp, not unnecessarily long and is presented in a way that is not only informative but educational too. For instance, take the case of aloe vera, where the book covers how the plant was a treasured commodity with famous explorer Christopher Columbus, its properties, healing qualities, and how the Arab traders bought it to India. It then touches upon the present-day scenario of how it is extensively grown in India, its medicinal and cosmetic uses, and the fact that it can be grown easily in a pot at home. There are fun and interesting facts thrown in too.

Thus, the book covers not only the historical aspects of each object but also throws light on the present-day relevance and context of each item, making it relatable and engaging for children. It does a great job of busting several myths that we considered to be facts for a long time. For example, growing up, we were always taught that the light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison. But the fact is that he was not the first to either invent an incandescent bulb nor an electric light bulb. Also, while it is popularly believed that hockey is our national game, no game has been officially declared the national game of India. Hockey is actually a British game. Although we do not officially have a national sport, we do have a National Sports Day which is celebrated on 29 August, the birth anniversary of Dyan Chand Singh who is one of the world’s best hockey players.

Methodically researched for over a year, there has been a conscious effort to make sure that the objects selected are all in use today and those which children eat, carry to school, like or even dislike. The year of independence has been chosen as the cutoff, which means that all the objects had to have come to India by 1947. And completing the book, enlightens the reader of not just information but the fact of how the world is interconnected, dynamic and how relationships between countries gave us so many things we see, use and enjoy on a daily basis. A great takeaway for children and adults alike!

BOOK OF THE DAY

A love story spanning multiple millenniums, life-forms and variations on immortality, the book posits Victorian poetry as a weapon of empire, insists on nature's resilience in the face of genocide, and manipulates prose into something like a new language....Toward Eternity recognizes both the building and burning of bridges." -New York Times

*A PARADE, LITHUB, and CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS Best New Book. *An AUDIOFILE EARPHONES AWARD WINNER.

Negotiating the terrain of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun and Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility, a brilliant, haunting speculative novel from a #1 New York Times bestselling translator that sets out to answer the question: What does it mean to be human in a world where technology is quickly catching up to biology?

In a near-future world, a new technological therapy is quickly eradicating cancer. The body’s cells are entirely replaced with nanites—robot or android cells which not only cure those afflicted but leaves them virtually immortal.

Literary researcher Yonghun teaches an AI how to understand poetry and creates a living, thinking machine he names Panit, meaning Beloved, in honor of his husband. When Yonghun—himself a recipient of nanotherapy—mysteriously vanishes into thin air and then just as suddenly reappears, the event raises disturbing questions. What happened to Yonghun, and though he’s returned, is he really himself anymore?

When Dr. Beeko, the scientist who holds the patent to the nanotherapy technology, learns of Panit, he transfers its consciousness from the machine into an android body, giving it freedom and life. As Yonghun, Panit, and other nano humans thrive—and begin to replicate—their development will lead them to a crossroads and a choice with existential consequences.

Exploring the nature of intelligence and the unexpected consequences of progress, the meaning of personhood and life, and what we really have to fear from technology and the future, Toward Eternity is a gorgeous, thought-provoking novel that challenges the notion of what makes us human—and how love survives even the end of that humanity.

BOOK OF THE DAY

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2024
FOYLE'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
LONGLISTED FOR BLACKWELL'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
ONE OF THE GUARDIAN'S BEST IDEAS BOOKS OF 2023
ONE OF THE TELEGRAPH'S FIFTY BEST BOOKS OF 2023
ONE OF PROSPECT'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023
ONE OF DUA LIPA'S SERVICE95 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR '5 INSPIRING READS TO KICK START THE NEW YEAR'

'Funny and very important' Chris van Tulleken, bestseling author of Ultra-Processed People

'Educates and emboldens' Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

'Should revolutionise our understanding of human life' George Monbiot, bestselling author of Regenesis

'A vast and revolutionary history of female evolution' Sunday Times

How did wet nurses drive civilization? Are women always the weaker sex? Is sexism useful for evolution? And are our bodies at war with our babies?

In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex. Eve is not only a sweeping revision of human history, it's an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Bohannon's findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialized world are rearranging women's pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species, from tool use to city building to the development of language.

BOOK OF THE DAY

*Publisher Description*

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“Superb. Hiltzik makes a compelling case that California is the heartbeat of our nation.”—Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Silent Spring Revolution

From Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Hiltzik, a definitive new history of California—from the Spanish conquistadors to the Gold Rush to the state’s meteoric rise as a tech powerhouse and bulwark of progressivism—and of its indelible mark on the United States and the world.

California has long reigned as the land of plenty, a place where the sun always shines and opportunity beckons. Even prior to its statehood in 1850, it captured the world’s imagination. We think of bearded prospectors lured by the promise of gold; we imagine its early embrace of immigrant labor during the railroad boom as prologue to its diverse social fabric today. But what lies underneath the myth is far more complicated.

Thanks to extensive research by Michael Hiltzik, one of our longstanding voices on California, Golden State uncovers the unvarnished truth about the state we think we know well. From Spanish incursions into what became known as Alta California to the rise of Big Tech, the history of California is one of stark contradictions. In rich, previously overlooked detail, we see its earliest statesmen wreak havoc among native peoples while racing to draft their own constitution even ahead of statehood. Gold-hungry settlers venture into the Sierra foothills only to leave with little, while a handful of their suppliers turn themselves into millionaire railroad magnates. Wars erupt in the name of water as Los Angeles booms, and early efforts to tame the vast landscape create a haven for fossil fuel extraction and environmental conservation alike. Hollywood politicians stoke fear, contributing to a centuries-long tradition of anti-Asian violence, and, remarkably, legal redlining and free higher education take root together.

Golden State brings a fresh critical eye to the origins of the state against which the rest of the country measures itself. From its very start, Hiltzik shows, the story of the United States was written in California.

BOOK OF THE DAY

Publisher Description

Learn how to free yourself from chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, and myriad debilitating conditions through the transformative process of nervous system regulation in this accessible guide from psychotherapist and leading Mindbody clinician Nicole Sachs.

At a time when chronic pain and other conditions have reached epidemic proportions, and the medical model is coming up short for so many of us, Mind Your Body shares the evidence-based practices that can help deliver readers from hopelessness to freedom. Most people who come to Nicole Sachs have exhausted all other paths to cope with their chronic back and bodily pain, IBS, sciatica, pelvic pain, long COVID, migraines, fibromyalgia, nerve inflammation, skin conditions, anxiety and panic disorders, and many more health conditions. Maybe they’re considering surgery or other interventions, with no real promise of a cure, or maybe the surgeries and treatments they’ve already attempted have proved disappointing and they are desperate for relief.

Sachs knows that these kinds of syndromes often don’t originate from a physical source. Rather, they are fueled by trauma responses associated with deeply rooted psychological and emotional triggers that send the brain and the nervous system into fight or flight.

In Mind Your Body, Sachs teaches readers about Mindbody medicine—which helped her overcome her own debilitating pain and dark prognosis. She explains the essential practice of turning inward, using her revolutionary JournalSpeak method, which has enabled countless people to achieve striking mental, emotional, and physical healing. Mind Your Body takes chronic pain recovery into its next stage, for a new generation of readers who have been so underserved by our medical system.

BOOK OF THE DAY

About Like Mother, Like Mother

An enthralling novel about three generations of strong-willed women, unknowingly shaped by the secrets buried in their family’s past.

“What a delight! Like Mother, Like Mother is sharp, fun, and witty.”—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

“A sprawling family saga, briskly told with the lightest of touches and an often-surprising sense of humor.”—Rumaan Alam, bestselling author of Leave the World Behind

A VOGUE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does.

But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from?

Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.