Of mysteries, love and junk (IANS Books This Weekend)

Flick through highlights of speculative reasons of most foul murders and most unfortunate deaths in the country, read the love story of a girl who is yet to decide whether her upcoming wedding is the right thing to do or if she has to look at the other option. Also, read about how to finally let go of stuff that is holding you back.

The IANS Bookshelf offers intriguing fare this weekend.

1. Book: Found Dead; Author: Shantanu Guha Ray; Publisher: Westland; Pages: 265; Price: Rs 299

Ponty Chadha, Sheena Bora, Sunanda Pushkar, Neeraj Grover, Jiah Khan -- murders and deaths that continue to horrify. In "Found Dead", journalist Shantanu Guha Ray takes a close look at nine cases that are some of the most macabre and cruel conspiracies in the criminal history of urban India.

Interspersed with interviews with several investigators, including the ex-Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Rakesh Maria, "Found Dead" highlights the real reasons for murders most foul, deaths most unfortunate, carefully-orchestrated plots and spine-chilling conspiracies. A gripping look at crime, the book is a grim reminder of the adage that not only does crime never pay, but there is nothing called a perfect murder.

2. Book: The Crunch Factor; Author: Andaleeb Wajid; Publisher: Hachette; Pages: 261; Price: Rs 350

Love comes in all tastes and spices. Twenty-six-year-old Aliya loves almost everything to do with food -- eating it, styling it, photographing it. But while her career as a food photographer is on track, her personal life is entirely derailed. Determined to move out of her parents' home, she agrees to marry Kamaal, the hot owner of the trendy new restaurant in town. But why does she feel like she's waded into a bowl of bland khichri? Where's the papad, dammit? Where's the crunch factor?

Then, on the day of her engagement, she finds out that the celebrated chef at Kamaal's restaurant is none other than Sameer, an old crush from her younger days. Aliya cannot believe that, even after a decade, he's still as hot as jalapeno poppers and as charming as cheesecake, and that she's as attracted to him now as she was all those years ago.

What is Aliya to do now? Should she go ahead with the wedding and settle for a Milky Bar-like relationship with Kamaal or should she choose the rocky road pie and explore her possibilities with Sameer?

3. Book: The Art of Discarding; Author: Nagisa Tatsumi; Publisher: Yellow Kite; Pages: 167; Price: Rs 399

Tatsumi's book offers a practical plan to figure out what to keep and what to discard so you can get -- and stay -- tidy, once and for all.

Practical and inspiring, "The Art of Discarding" offers hands-on advice and easy-to-follow guidelines to help readers learn how to finally let go of stuff that is holding them back -- as well as sage advice on acquiring less in the first place. Tatsumi urges us to reflect on our attitude to possessing things and to have the courage and conviction to get rid of all the stuff we really don't need, offering advice on how to tackle the things that pile up at home and take back control. By learning the art of discarding you will gain space, free yourself from "accumulation syndrome", and find new joy and purpose in your clutter-free life.

--IANS

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