Pick of the Week

Title:  Cosmos

Author:  Carl Sagan

Summary:  The story of fifteen billion years of cosmic evolution transforming matter and life into consciousness, of how science and civilization grew up together, and of the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science. A story told with Carl Sagan's remarkable ability to make scientific ideas both comprehensible and exciting, based on his acclaimed television series. Carl Sagan takes readers on a journey through the universe, exploring the vastness of space and the mysteries of our existence. It delves into topics such as the origins of life, the evolution of intelligence, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life

Theme of the Month

Thriller & Mystery

About

Mystery-thrillers are stories with twists and turns that keep you on your toes guessing about the truth, the POV's truth, and about what will happen next. They can be written from a hero's POV or from a sinister character's POV. Some are scary and make your heart beat faster, making it hard to put down. Some stories make you laugh if you have a witty writer with an unusual sense of humor easy to relate to. Both types can be hard to put down when they're page turners. And you can find many page turners among a variety of styles and writers, depending on what seeks your fancy.

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Special Collections

International Day for Biological Diversity 

22 May 2024

Must Reads

"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy is a poignant tale set in Kerala, India, revolving around the lives of twins Rahel and Estha. Through their eyes, the novel explores themes of love, caste, betrayal, and societal norms, interwoven with tragic events that forever alter their family's destiny. 

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on his journey to fulfill his dreams of finding a hidden treasure. Along the way, he learns about the importance of following one's heart, listening to omens, and discovering the true meaning of life through encounters with various characters and experiences.

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien follows the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is whisked away from his comfortable life in the Shire by the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves. They embark on a quest to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters trolls, goblins, and elves, and discovers courage and strength within himself.

Techno Picks

"Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans" by Melanie Mitchell is a 2019 nonfiction book that delves into AI technology, highlighting the tendency for people to overestimate AI capabilities. Mitchell emphasizes the limitations of current AI systems, the need for commonsense reasoning abilities in machines, and the distance from achieving super intelligence. Mitchell's work has been well-received for its accessible narrative, historical overview, and insights into the complexities of human cognition 

"AI for You: The New Game Changer" by Shalini Kapoor and Sameep Mehta is a transformative guide to integrating artificial intelligence into business processes. It simplifies AI complexities, offering frameworks and tools derived from industry leaders to bridge the gap between AI's potential and practical implementation. A must-read for AI stakeholders seeking to maximize its impact

"The AI Delusion" by Gary Smith delves into the misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence. Smith emphasizes the limitations of AI, contrasting its computational abilities with human intelligence. He debunks myths like the belief in true AI and the idea that big data mining leads to reliable new knowledge. The book warns against overestimating machine capabilities and advocates for a clear understanding of what AI can truly achieve

Self-Help Corner

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to interpersonal skills and effective communication. Through anecdotes and practical advice, Carnegie teaches readers how to build rapport, gain influence, and navigate social interactions with confidence and authenticity, ultimately enhancing personal and professional relationships.

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear presents a comprehensive framework for building and maintaining effective habits. Clear emphasizes the power of small, incremental changes and provides practical strategies to create lasting behavior change. By mastering the principles of habit formation, readers can transform their lives and achieve remarkable results.

"Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty is a guide to living a purposeful and fulfilling life, drawing from the author's experiences as a monk and wisdom from ancient Eastern philosophies. It offers practical advice on finding inner peace, cultivating gratitude, and overcoming obstacles to unlock personal growth and happiness.

Author of the Month

Ruskin Bond

About

Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent  born on 19 May 1934, in Kasauli, Punjab States Agency, British India. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children's authors and a top novelist. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was seventeen which won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written several novellas, over 500 short stories, as well as various essays and poems, all of which have established him as one of the best-loved and most admired chroniclers of contemporary India. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for English writing, for his short stories collection, "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra", by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's literature. He now lives with his adopted family in Landour near Mussoorie 

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