Civil Lines 6 - New Writing From India
HarperCollins
When it first launched in 1994, Civil Lines quickly became the citadel of new Indian writing in the English language. So when its sixth edition was published after a decade, especially in a time when writings are sabotaged by the Web, there is much interest among literature lovers. Sit back and enjoy the 16 contributions, of which two are poems and one a photo-essay.

The Song Seekers
Saswati Sengupta
Zubaan Publishing
Somehow, Kolkata always makes for the perfect setting of a novel, more so if the plot weaves in some militant history with the Portuguese in Bengal, the Swadeshi Movement and the turbulent 1960s. An interesting read of a story set in a period of transition with several flashbacks and parallel narratives.

The Purple Lotus and Other Stories
Ratna Rao Shekar
MapinLit
A decent debut of short stories set in various cities and towns across countries, these are journeys of relationships, migrations, and anticipation that you can easily connect with. If you love travel and the intersection of spaces between personalised narrative, fiction and nostalgia, you will enjoy this book.

Karma Sutra – Adventures of a Street Bum
Rajendra Menen
HarperCollins
This book is a look at into an India less examined, the one that strives for daily survival on its street – the dark urban underbelly. Written by a senior journalist who witnessed this first hand, you can feel the intensity of the realism that exists on the magical mosaic of the Indian street. Gripping till the end!

To Kill A Snow Dragon Fly
Sharad P. Paul
Fourth Estate
The cover of this book is striking in a calm way. Travel through the barren lands of a Tibetan village to Southern India and eventually to Mumbai as the author narrates an evocative journey through revolutions, desires, memories, and exile as seen by his protagonist Lobsang. Gripping!

Blue Guide India
Sam Miller
Blue Guides
This one is not your regular magazine-style guide book that allows you to merely touch the surface of a city. Blue Guide India goes beyond the touristy traveller’s route to walk you down off-the-beaten-track India through long-forgotten wonders ignored by others. Who else will tell you that there is a city called Orchha in MP that’s better than the touristy Khajuraho or a Rajgir in Bihar within hot springs that date back over 2,500 years. Written by BBC’s Sam Miller, this handbook is best for independent travellers who come to the country in search of its art, architecture and history. The maps and detailed practical information are extremely precise and will allow you to explore a city to the fullest. A perfect window into the country’s existence.

Louis Vuitton/Marc Jacobs: a tale of two men

This book was presented at the Louis Vuitton/Marc Jacobs exhibition by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris recently. It’s the story of two personalities: Louis Vuitton, founder of the house in 1854, and Marc Jacobs, its artistic director since 1997, both of whom are exceptional personalities.

While Vuitton founded his own packing company whose trunks and baggage rapidly developed a loyal following amongst European high society, Jacobs steered the brand into a decisive shift, breathing new life into it.

The book edited by Pamela Golbin, chief curator of the contemporary fashion and textile collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs shows how, with over a century between them, both Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs were able to fully discern their specific era and take advantage of all the possibilities offered. Illustrated with old photographs, archives from the Louis Vuitton House, 19th century garments from the Arts Décoratifs collection, as well as fashion photographs, advertising campaigns and photos of past and present Louis Vuitton fashion shows, make it an interesting spread.

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