Weekend Reads: Indulge in entrancing collections on diverse genres

Here are three books, which hinge on different themes and genres. While the International Booker Prize-winning book 'Kairos' written by Jenny Erpenbeck is a fictional tale set in Germany in late 1980s detailing a love story between a young woman and an old man, 'The Book of Chai' chronicles the evolution of tea, the refreshing and ubiquitous beverage in India. 'James Bond Will Return' is a fascinating treatise on the rise and fall and the expected rise again of the iconic film franchise.

Jenny Erpenbeck’s 'Kairos'
German author Jenny Erpenbeck’s International Booker Prize-winning novel, 'Kairos' deals with a poignant relationship of a 19-year-old woman Katharina with a Man around 50, Hans, a writer for radio. The story is set in Berlin in the late 1980s before the collapse of the Wall. The intense emotional journey may absorb one completely taking him or her through the intriguing allays of sensuousness, pain and deceit.

In the novel, Katharina navigates through personal and historical upheavals, delving deep into the complexities of memory, history, and the impact of political changes on individual lives as she romances with a womaniser. The book has been translated from German to English by Michael Hofmann.

'The Book of Chai: History, stories and more than 60 recipes' by Mira Manek
Tea in India has a unique identity that unifies people and cultures across the land. It's a refreshment drink that conjures up mental as well as physical effervescence and vitality. The Book of Chai by Mira Manek unveils the history and myriad stories along with more than sixty recipes.
Although the methods of making tea vary from place to place the basic ingredients are the same. Tea has been part of life in India since time immemorial and has a rich legacy attached to it.

'James Bond Will Return: Critical Perspectives on the 007 Film Franchise' edited by Claire Hines, Terence McSweeney, Stuart Joy
The book, which both esoteric and scholastic readers can enjoy, sheds light on the transformation of the franchises over the years vis-a-vis the social, political and technological changes. James Bond had remained an obsession for moviegoers for decades, setting up a standard for a classic, superspy movie cult with a coming-of-age espionage drama, intrigue and set-pieces.

However, the advent of breathtaking technological advancements, transformation in geopolitical equations and the latest genre of films, took away the sheen of glory that 007 films enjoyed and rendered them outdated.

However, what gives an edge to the series is the fact that it is the longest-running film franchise in history. The book gives an insight into the cinematic, literary and technical aspects of each of the Bond films. Unveiling the complexities of the iconic character that held sway over generations, the book 'James Bond Will Return' offers a fascinating read for Bond fans