* Great ‘Myth’Conceptions; Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (HarperCollins, 2008, pp 209, Rs 250) For answers to life’s puzzling questions like is the toilet seat cleaner than the office desk? and a galaxy full of funny facts and dizzying discoveries about life and science, lay your hands on this book.

* Please Explain; Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (HarperCollins, 2008, first published in 2007, pp 245, Rs 250) Australia’s favourite scientist answers more curly questions on life, the universe and everything. No one conveys the excitement and wonder of science quite like this.

* Travelling Through Conflict— Essays on the Politics of West Asia; Hamid Ansari (Dorling Kindersley, 2008, pp 442, Rs 695) “a timely and significant contribution to the ongoing and often ill-informed debate on Islam and the contemporary world.

* Submarine; Joe Dunthorne (Hamish Hamilton, 2008, pp 289, Price not mentioned) ‘An assured, compelling and hilarious coming-of-age novel with an unforgettable narrator.’

* Five Wishes— How Answering one Simple Question can Make your Dreams Come True; Gay Hendricks (Michael Joseph/Penguin, 2008, pp 149, Pounds 5.25) ‘You never know when you will experience a moment that dramatically transforms your life.’

* India Since Independence; Bipan Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee, Aditya Mukherjee (Penguin Revised Edition, 2008, pp 771, Rs 395) The story of the forging of India is a rich and inspiring one. This book analyses the challenges India has faced and the success it has achieved.

* The Finger Puppet; Anu Jayanth (HarperCollins, 2008, pp 361, Rs 295) As appa’s temper expresses itself in increasingly violent ways, Tara, already plagued by a childhood speech impediment, takes refuge in talking to her thumb...

* Gardens of Water; Alan Drew (Bloomsbury, 2008, pp 338, Rs 495) This is a powerful story of survival following a devastating earthquake on the outskirts of Istanbul.