Speed reads: From '1 More Than 8' to 'The Liver Doctor'

1 More Than 8 by Sheila Kunjur Srinivas linger on the edges of everyday life, and the writing is free-flowing and focused on the emotional undercurrents of our lives, where memories, longings and joys all get jumbled together.

A rush of feeling, a quiet ache, a sense of wonder or a longing for love...these stories map the many shades of being human. 

1 More Than 8 by Sheila Kunjur Srinivas (RG Books)

This is a collection of short stories that promise to cover all the ‘navarasas’ of our emotions. The stories linger on the edges of everyday life, and the writing is free-flowing and focused on the emotional undercurrents of our lives, where memories, longings and joys all get jumbled together. The stories are unhurried and mostly ring true, although they would have benefited from tighter editing. 

Our Stories Are Us by Multiple Authors (Myndstories Publn)

This is a literary anthology that brings together a set of real, deeply personal narratives about the fragile beauty of human relationships. Through essays and memoir-style reflections, this collection brings together voices that speak with honesty about grief, resilience, vulnerability and healing. Blending the honesty of non-fiction and storytelling, these lived experiences of love and loss tell of relationships that transform us, grief that shakes us from deep within, and moments of connection that leave a lasting imprint. 

The Liver Doctor by Dr Cyriac Abby Philips (HarperCollins)

The author, an expert hepatologist and one of India’s most vocal advocates of science-led medicine, tells us the fascinating story of the least understood, most indispensable and only self-regenerating organ in the human body — the liver. He dives into ancient myths and legends through various cultures, the annals of history, as well as his own deeply personal encounters from his life as a doctor, taking his readers on a wondrous journey.

Speed Reads is a column for the bookworm who is short on time and reads on the go.