Salis AfaqueSALISMANIA.com BEST AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019 WINNER
The 4th Annual SALISMANIA.com Best Author of the Year Award goes to...
WINNER - KOCHERY C SHIBU (Men And Dreams In The Dhauladhar)
PUBLISHER: Niyogi Books
ABOUT THE BOOK
A hydropower project in the remote Himalayas. Three people brought together by fate. Nanda, an engineer from Kerala at the dam construction site hiding from his past, from the law, torn between the love of his dear ones and the traditional Kalari code of revenge. Khusru, a boy displaced from his native village in Kashmir, a gambit in the terror plot threatening to blow up the dam, working as a labourer at the site. Rekha, a Kathak dancer in heart, a doctor by profession, arrives at the campsite as the consort of Khusru. A village that accepts the dictates of modernity with a heavy heart, its population steeped in superstitions and religious beliefs.
All throng the campsite like moths to a flame, some escape untouched, successful; some, miss a step and perish. Each has a story to tell and a dream to realize. Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar is about the aspirations of these people with their cares and worries woven into the site life. The fury of nature and the hardships of project life have no mercy for the weak and no time for the dead. Like an eternal spectator, the Dhauladhar watches as men risk life and limb in a quest to fulfill their dreams.
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/02/02/men-and-dreams-in-the-dhauladhar-book-review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kochery C. Shibu is a retired naval officer. A graduate from the National Defence Academy he has held several important posts in the Indian Navy. Post his retirement he has executed hydroelectric projects in the Cauvery river basin in Karnataka, Beas river basin in Himachal, and lately Teesta river basin in Sikkim. He holds a postgraduate degree in Defence Studies from Chennai University and an MA in English Literature from Pune University. Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar is his debut novel. The technical content of the novel, namely the setting up of a hydro-project is drawn from his experience in these projects since 2005, as are many of the characters inspired from those whom he encountered at the project site. Kochery C. Shibu was born in Kochi and now lives in Bangalore with his wife and daughter.
2nd - RAVI DABRAL (Greed Lust Addiction)
PUBLISHER: Notion Press
ABOUT THE BOOK
Materialism is the mantra of the modern generation, whose motto is to 'eat, drink and be merry'. This philosophy gives rise to 'greed, lust, and addiction' which are vices within us.
As against this, spiritualism believes in having ' virtues, values, and morals' to live a contented, stress-free, and purposeful life. This is the journey of an investigative journalist, thrillingly revealing mysteries of the corrupt material world.
Believing in following the virtuous, righteous, and spiritual path in life, how far will he succeed in a society dominated by corrupt politicians, unscrupulous greedy businessmen, puppet media, insensitive police, and even a biased judiciary?
Will he survive in the midst of the powerful lobbies who have scant regard for human life? Or will he be crushed like a beetle under a booted foot, as everyone predicts?
Or will he be able to stand up just with the help of a handful of yogis of the Himalayan ashrams and their spiritual followers?
A novel with lots of twists, turns, conflicts, romance, emotions, drama, suspense, thrill, and action, promising a mesmerizing reading experience...
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2019/02/27/greed-lust-addiction-book-review
Read Ravi Dabral's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/2019/02/07/humour-is-the-best-healer-in-todays-stressed-life-ravi-dabral
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ravi Dabral is the author of "Secrets of a Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Life" and "Greed Lust Addiction".
He is a winner of the "International Man of Excellence Award for Education, Corporate & Social Services." He has over twenty-five academic and professional qualifications. He is a fellow member of seven international institutes. He was born in Uttarakhand, famous for spiritual ashrams and known as 'Devbhoomi', the abode of Deities and Gods.
3rd - MAINAK DHAR (Sniper's Eye)
PUBLISHER: 4 Hour Books
ABOUT THE BOOK
I was out on a date. Everything was perfect... Till that shot... a high-caliber one, no apparent sound. And, the man in front of me fell. A rifle with a suppressor? A sniper in the middle of a Mumbai mall?
As the body count mounted. I was soon sucked deeper into the chaos unleashed by that sound. To survive and save those whom I care about, I have to become the man I left behind. I have no choice but to tap into a bloody past that has put me on the terror kill list. I may also have no option but to join hands with the sniper terrorizing Mumbai.
The problem is that the man has sworn to kill me. In a world where the young and poor kill and die in conflicts started by the old and rich, I and my unlikely companion finally discovered the thin line that separates a mere killer from a hero. This is our story...
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/09/12/snipers-eye-book-review
Read Mainak Dhar's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/08/18/my-first-novel-had-over-fifty-rejection-slips-before-it-was-published-and-went-on-to-be-a
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mainak Dhar is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and has spent more than two decades in the corporate sector. After fifteen years abroad, he moved back to India in 2014 as the Managing Director & CEO of the India operations of a leading multinational firm. A self-described cubicle dweller by day and writer by night, Mainak is also the author of over a dozen books, some of which have been bestsellers in India and abroad including the bestselling Alice in Deadland series and 03:02. His books have been translated into Turkish, Vietnamese, Japanese, French, German, and Portuguese, reaching millions of readers worldwide.
4th - INDRAZITH SHANTHARAJ (Trade And Grow Rich)
PUBLISHER: Notion Press
ABOUT THE BOOK
Is it your personal quest to find out what has made some traders so successful?
Why do 5% of traders take all the money from 95% of losers?
The answer is nothing less than a revelation!
The authors of this book have formulated their journey of studying some of the most successful traders in the world into concise principles that, when acted upon, can help one achieve their dream to become a successful trader.
For over a decade, the authors have studied the world's successful traders. Based on their learnings, they started practicing it and are now part of the 5%.
Trade and Grow Rich teaches not just concepts but also methods with the help of anecdotes. This book has to be read one chapter at a time, rather than just being a one-time read.
If you want to enjoy an adventurous journey to become a successful trader, then this is the book you are looking for!
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/07/18/trade-and-grow-rich-book-review
Read Indrazith Shantharaj's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/07/07/my-biggest-achievement-happened-on-the-day-when-i-decided-to-follow-my-passion-indrazit
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Indrazith Shantharaj is a full-time trader, trainer, and coach in the stock market and a former IT professional with 10 years of experience. He has decided to pursue a full-time career in the stock market, which is his subject of passion and expertise. Having met success in trading, he wants to help others who find it difficult.
He has conducted over 50 seminars and trained over 1,000 people on trading. His articles can be found at www.Indrazith.com.
Apart from trading and training, he spends his free time travelling, reading books, and practising spiritual sadhana.
5th - SABARNA ROY (Random Subterranean Mosaic 2012 – 2018)
PUBLISHER: Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd
ABOUT THE BOOK
Roy's Frosted Glass did very well in the market. His Pentacles and Winter Poems did so well that Amazon Audible converted them into Audiobooks by the Australian young jazz singer, Colin Newcomer. Abyss was on the bestseller list at the Oxford Bookstore at the Kolkata Book Fair in 2014. Random Subterranean Mosaic: 2012–2018 is a kaleidoscope of random, yet mysteriously structured to a pattern, fiction, semi-autobiographical, and autobiographical pieces, covering poems, short-shorts, opinions, observations, and conversations. Roy says: “All my life I have struggled to achieve an optimal lucidity in language and expression that is required to demystify the hidden self and selves and agendas. I hope I have achieved this in a large measure in this fifth book of mine!"
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/random-subterranean-mosaic-2012-2018-book-review
Read Sabarna Roy's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/i-am-always-climbing-a-mountain-whose-peak-will-never-be-reached-sabarna-roy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sabarna Roy is the author of four books: Pentacles, Frosted Glass, Abyss, and Winter Poems. A civil engineer by profession (he passed out from Jadavpur University in 1988), Roy spends his time on books, music, movies, and international television series, when he is not writing or at work in an engineering-manufacturing organization in Kolkata. With no love for pets or gardening (although he loves forests and wildlife) or socializing, and a lot of time for introspection and deep (and not-so-deep!) thinking, Roy’s works reflect his views on the global order and individuals striving to find their place in it.
6th - SAUGATA CHAKRABORTY (They Go To Sleep)
PUBLISHER: Notion Press
ABOUT THE BOOK
A young widow of a drug overdose victim disappears from Goa. Three years later, a British National claims to know her whereabouts minutes before departing for London Heathrow. The Police of two states are pressed into a joint manhunt. 'They Go to Sleep' is a racy thriller on police procedures and criminal psychology.
In the year 2043, when nobody sends a letter anymore, an unlikely candidate decides to write about his springtime memories that are soon going to be erased. When his identity gets revealed, the impact on several individuals and the society at large assumes epic proportions. 'A Man of Letters' is a science fiction with humane emotions at its core.
A promising poet meets his muse on board a train. They share a captivating conversation but forget to ask each other's names. Will they be able to meet again in an Indian metro? 'What's In a Name?' is a humorous look at everything Bengali: gossip, fish, cutlets, and the Kolkata Book Fair.
These three stories are joined by nine equally exhilarating tales of ordinary people and the choices that they make under extraordinary circumstances. The compilation will surely compel the readers to keep their midnight lamps burning.
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2019/02/13/they-go-to-sleep-book-review
Read Saugata Chakraborty's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/2019/01/27/storytelling-requires-the-ability-to-see-a-good-number-of-ideas-that-we-walk-past-sauga
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Saugata is a Central Banker with experience in fields as varied as currency management, human resource planning, financial supervision, foreign exchange dealing, and market intelligence.
His career with the Reserve Bank of India has taken him literally to all the parts of India. In his leisure, he likes to travel, even more, picking up conversations with absolute strangers along his way, within and outside the country.
A voracious reader since his primary schooling days, his foray into creative writing in English started in early teens and gathered steam while studying at the University of Calcutta for his post-graduation in Accounting.
He is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance and holds A Certificate in Dealing from ACI, Paris. Trained in Corporate Communications at IIM-Ahmedabad, he is as good a listener as a narrator.
In between the University and the RBI, Saugata was briefly associated with academics and both his past students and he cherish the memories from that era till date.
Even now, he continues to deliver speeches on different aspects of financial markets and frauds in institutes across the country. His other muse is wildlife photography and he is passionate about the conservation of endangered species.
7th - SONIA SAHIJWANI (Yours Legally)
PUBLISHER: BecomeShakespeare.com
ABOUT THE BOOK
A young girl Sia has recently finished her graduation in Law against her parent's wishes. With absolutely no family background in the legal profession, she sets out to explore the various opportunities this not so common but the upcoming field of law brings her way.
Written in the form of short stories and inspired by some true events, the author, through the protagonist Sia, narrates to us few such unusual and memorable incidents including some eccentric courtroom dramas, all of which left a deep impact in her life.
This book is an honest attempt to talk about the law with a dash of satire, with an aim to reach out to all those who may or may have never stepped inside a court. And for those who are a part of it already, they might relate to it in some way.
Just read along and enjoy the short but bumpy ride...
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/yours-legally-book-review
Read Sonia Sahijwani's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/i-never-ever-gave-up-on-my-passion-for-writing-sonia-sahijwani
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonia Sahijwani is a 33-year-old L.L.B. graduate from the Faculty of Law, Delhi University. After completing her graduation in Commerce from Delhi University (Gargi College), she pursued her Masters in Print Journalism (English) from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Pursuant to a brief stint with a leading financial magazine, she left her job to study law. She is currently working in a public sector company as a legal officer and is posted in Chandigarh along with her husband Sulabh Saini. She is presently enjoying motherhood and is busy parenting her son Suhaan. Yours Legally is her first book.
8th - P. G. VAN (A Reckless Night)
PUBLISHER: Amazon Kindle
ABOUT THE BOOK
Varsha had no interest in starting a new relationship after what she had been through with her ex. Her sister sets her up on a blind date and to her disappointment; her date is scorching hot and smart. An irresistible combination!!
Kris had no plans to go on a date while he was on a business trip but was there to cover for his buddy who could not make it. He could not believe his luck--he did not want the night to end.
With passion fueling, the casual night they never expected to be anything explodes into a reckless night powered by desire they have never felt before. She leaves behind the man who set her entirety ablaze knowing there was no future to the thrilling night. She could not let anyone get close to her heart, a heart recovering from bruises of her past.
Will a reckless night lead to something meaningful? Will Varsha find the man who will love her while fueling her every desire?
Follow Varsha’s and Kris’s life as they give a reckless night a new life and build a future together.
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/09/12/a-reckless-night-book-review
Read P.G. Van's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/08/25/working-with-other-authors-and-their-support-is-what-gave-me-the-visibility-pg-van
9th - MONA MOHANTY (Volcanic Moments)
PUBLISHER: Authorspress
Read our Book Review - https://www.salismania.com/post/2018/11/12/volcanic-moments-book-review
Read Mona Mohanty's exclusive author Interview - https://www.salismania.com/single-post/Mona-Mohanty
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mona Mohanty is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service. Weaving stories has always been her passion. Alumni of Lady Shri Ram College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, this collection of short stories follows on the heels of her first book Betwixt Twists and Turns.